In June 2026, I spent twelve days in Tokyo on my own, from 18 to 29 June.
I made this trip during a burnout. I will not go into the details, but photography is what saved me, psychologically.
The first thing I felt was on the train from the airport into the city: it was like coming home. I felt I was in the right place.
In twelve days, I really took the time to discover the many sides of Tokyo. No list of main attractions: each morning I picked a direction, south, east, west or north, took the metro or a train out there, and from there I walked.
Tokyo overview
When: from 18 to 29 June 2026, on my own. June is the rainy season: bring a clear umbrella, or buy one at any konbini.
Where I stayed: Juyoh Hotel, Kiyokawa 2-15-3, Taito, about ten minutes on foot from Minowa station, on the Hibiya line. Futons, shared bathrooms.
How I explored: one direction a day, by metro or train, then on foot.
Getting film developed in Tokyo
I bought my rolls at Palette Plaza Asakusa, and had them developed at two other Palette Plaza shops: one in Shiba-Daimon, one in Ebisu. I can only recommend it. About an hour of waiting, and they printed some photos for me as a bonus, because they liked what I was shooting.
Taking care of myself, and finding myself
- LIBERTA Tokyo, a head spa. Ebisu 1-11-3, 3rd floor.
- ASSORT Tokyo, a hair salon with English-speaking stylists. Kita-Aoyama 2-10-28, basement, four minutes on foot from Gaiemmae station. Closed on Mondays.
- A second tattoo by Tiemi at PopInk Tokyo, Arakicho, Shinjuku. My first one is in the first timer guide.
The five zones I walked
Tokyo east: my base. Minowa and Iriya, Minami-Senju at dawn, the Nippori fabric district, Asakusa, Kuramae and Ueno at night.
Tokyo center: film cameras in Akihabara, the bookshops of Jimbocho in the rain, the guitar street of Ochanomizu, Tokyo Station, Otemachi and Kagurazaka.
Tokyo west: Omotesando at 7am, Shibuya the day Japan won, Shinjuku and Kabukicho in the rain, Shimokitazawa, Koenji and Nakano.
Tokyo south: the Tsukiji market, Tokyo Tower, a natural wine bar in Daimon, Musashi-Koyama, Nakameguro, Daikanyama and Ebisu.
Tokyo north: Ikebukuro, Otsuka and Sugamo, and the hydrangeas of Asukayama at dawn.
Tokyo FAQ
How do you explore Tokyo without a plan?
Pick a direction each morning, take the metro or a train out there, and walk.
Where can you get film developed in Tokyo?
I went to Palette Plaza, in Shiba-Daimon and in Ebisu: about an hour of waiting.
Is Tokyo a good place to travel alone?
For me, yes. From the train out of the airport, I felt at home.