Capital of Japan. Tokyo is a city of sharp contrasts, blending the ancient and the modern in a single breath. It is a metropolis you never truly finish discovering. In fact, it is one of my favorite cities in the world due to its ever-changing dynamism and its contemporary art scene. You can never fully map a city like this because its rate of change is so incredibly high; within just a few years, it becomes almost unrecognizable. While there are centuries-old cultural landmarks, everything in modern Tokyo feels ephemeral and temporary.

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Geographically, the capital of Japan is home to over 15 million residents. Located roughly in the center of the country, its elevation varies significantly, though the central area sits at about 41 meters above sea level. Tourism is one of its primary driving industries, with the city facing the eastern coast. It stands in perfect antithesis to its older sister—and Japan's ongoing cultural capital—the beautiful Kyoto.

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Tokyo's original name was Edo, an etymological term meaning "estuary." Edo served as the power base for the Tokugawa shoguns until the restoration of the imperial system. Under the Pax Tokugawa (during the Edo period, 1603–1868), a massive castle stood in the very area where the Imperial Palace is located today.

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Among its most famous districts, we must highlight Shinjuku, predominantly known for the Meiji Shrine and the neighboring Harajuku area, the epicenter of the cosplay phenomenon. Then there is Shibuya, famous for the world's largest pedestrian scramble and the faithful dog who captured global hearts with his sweetness and devotion, Hachiko. We also find Asakusa, home to the legendary Senso-ji temple dedicated to the goddess Kannon and its iconic Kaminari-mon gate. Roppongi stands out as the district of elegant shopping complexes and modern Japanese and international nightlife, while Akihabara is a small paradise for electronics and manga lovers. Of course, Tokyo is not just this, but so much more.