Japan: A Love Letter to Tokyo, Osaka, and Everything In Between

Some trips are for relaxing. Others? They shift something inside you — quietly, completely. My recent visit to Japan, especially Tokyo and Osaka, was one of those. I went in curious and came back changed. I fell in love with everything: the people, the food, the calm chaos, and even the everyday bits that somehow felt magical. I swear I left a piece of my heart somewhere between the Shibuya crossing and a 1 a.m. snack run to 7-Eleven.

The Train Systems: Effortless, Like Everything Else

Okay, hear me out — trains shouldn’t be this exciting. But Japan’s? Game-changer. The Shinkansen (bullet train) and even the local metro lines run with this kind of mind-blowing precision. They’re clean, quiet, and ridiculously easy to navigate, even if you don’t speak a word of Japanese. Signboards are clear, staff are super helpful, and somehow everything just works. I’ve never enjoyed getting from Point A to Point B this much in my life.

7-Eleven: Not Just a Store, a Lifestyle

What started as a “let me just grab a snack” turned into a full-blown love affair. Japan’s 7-Eleven stores are elite. Strawberry sandwiches, soft-boiled eggs, fresh smoothies, even matcha lattes that taste like they came from a fancy café — they have it all. I went from stopping by once in a while to planning my day around 7-Eleven visits. Breakfast? 7-Eleven. Post-sightseeing treat? 7-Eleven. Midnight craving? You already know.

Mount Fuji & Tokyo Tower: Two Very Different Kinds of Magic

Some moments just stay with you. Seeing Mount Fuji — whether from the train or standing near Lake Kawaguchiko — was one of them. It’s so still, so perfect, it doesn’t even feel real. Like a painting someone placed in the background. Then there’s Tokyo Tower, glowing against the night sky like a quiet beacon in the chaos. I stood on the observation deck watching the city stretch in every direction, lights twinkling, and I just thought: wow. That’s it. Just wow.

The People: Gentle, Kind, and Unforgettable

Japan’s people are something else. Not in a flashy way, but in how quietly kind and respectful they are. A stranger helped me navigate a confusing train transfer. A cashier packed my snacks so gently it felt like a small act of love. No one’s loud, no one’s rushed — but everyone notices. Everyone cares. I didn’t realize how deeply that would affect me until I left.

Shopping: The Best Kind of Overwhelming

Shopping in Japan? Dangerous — in the best way possible. I lost hours (and yen) wandering through Shibuya, Harajuku, and Ginza in Tokyo, and later in Osaka’s Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori. Whether it was cute stationery at Loft, hidden gems in thrift stores, or skincare finds at Don Quijote, every shop felt like a mini adventure. My suitcase barely closed, and I regret nothing.

From convenience store runs to quiet shrine visits, every day in Japan felt special. It wasn’t about ticking off tourist spots — it was about the feeling. Of being safe, seen, and a little bit in awe. I know I’ll be back someday. With more time, more space in my luggage, and an even bigger love for a country that truly feels like another world.

Written by Sreesha Chainani

Sreesha wrote this article as co-Editor of the program zine, The MMF Summer Rewind.

This zine was established to showcase the work of students and interns at the Media-Makers Fellowship's May '25 cohort.