Fresh From Our Camera Roll: A Week in Tokyo

A yellow chrysanthemum-patterned sensu folding fan held open in both hands at Ginza Itoya

New series. No editing, no staging, no ranking — just a few frames straight from our camera roll, with one line each. This is what Japan looked like from where we were standing this week.

Yellow sensu folding fan held up at Ginza Itoya stationery store
A sensu folding fan, tested for size at Ginza Itoya. July in Tokyo makes this a survival tool, not a souvenir.
Giant shrimp sushi plate on orange dish at kaiten sushi Oedo Tokyo
The “Kami no Ebi” — the God Shrimp — a special at kaiten chain Oedo, sweeter and firmer than shrimp has any right to be. Full beginner’s guide to conveyor sushi coming this month.
Iced organic matcha drink at a Tokyo matcha stand
Iced 100% organic matcha from a stand-up counter. Matcha stands are quietly becoming Tokyo’s espresso bars.
Burger and fries at Neo Nice Burger Tokyo
Neo Nice Burger. Tokyo does American food better than it has any right to.
Cold ramen with shredded egg at Ginza Shiraishi
Cold ramen at Ginza Shiraishi — how Japan survives July, one chilled bowl at a time.
Hand holding a TOKYO die-cut card at Ginza Itoya
Exhibit A from Ginza Itoya, twelve floors of stationery heaven. A full “stationery worth flying home” guide is in the works.

Photos by the local girl herself. Planning your own trip? Start with our Perfect Japan Guide — live exchange rates, pocket phrases with native audio, and everything we tell friends before they visit.

More from us: if this week made you hungry, the full guides are here — the Kimuraya anpan walk in Ginza, % Arabica and Japan’s coffee layers, and the stationery worth flying home.