From temples and shrines to maid cafes and streets full of technology, Japan offers the perfect mix between tradition and modernity
 

Our journey started in Asakusa where we visited the traditional part of Japan, Senso-ji, it was a little crowded and it was very cold! But there was a really nice and happy atmosphere, I think I was not the only one excited about seeing such a beautiful place, the architecture never ceases to amaze me. I went there with one TRIAND INC member and with a friend of him.
We took many pictures and we all three got our fortune written in the shape of omikuji. Thankfully I didn’t got bad luck! A moment later, two AIESEC members arrived and the five of us tried Japanese sweets along the street. They are delicious! From rice crackers, dango and ningyo yaki, I like the dumpling the best. After having the snacks, we continued our way to find the fake food shop, we walked around Kappabashi street, I liked it a lot. I think Kappa are a really nice fairies in Japanese folklore. Kappa are one of the few things I knew before coming to Japan. We were all really excited! As soon as we arrived, we made our own tempura shrimp and lettuce, you really need to be skilful to make fake food!

After that we went to Akihabara! I was really expecting to see the “geek” culture in Japan (manga, anime, maids cafes, computers and technology). I was not disappointed, as soon as we got to the maid cafe. It was so cute, girl are dressed so cutely and they interact with costumers, it was really funny but at the same time it was a cultural shock for me! We did have a really nice time there, but it was almost time to go home. So for our last visit, we went to an underground old video games store. You could find from Sega, Super Nintendo and many more.
This trip served me to see part of Japan’s underground culture, but the moment that was most important to me was when I got to the temple to feel the calmness and how it captures Japan’s hidden story. We should respect and love all this old places from all over the world, because they speak about the story of one country, but also of humanity.