By Jeremy Wilks
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Tokyo’s blend of ancient tradition and modern pop culture comes into focus as VTuber Sakura Miko and chef Haruyuki Yamashita share the places that define the city for them.
VTuber Sakura Miko, brings a fresh perspective to Tokyo, guides us through Asakusa’s historic streets and the vast grounds of Sensō-ji Temple.
She describes the district as capturing “the essence of Japan,” and often unwinds after evening streams at Round1 arcades or at Odaiba’s Tokyo Joypolis, where the Live Coaster remains her favourite attraction.
Executive chef Haruyuki Yamashita, owner of HAL YAMASHITA, highlights a different side of the capital. His culinary philosophy draws on Edo-period traditions, from Edo Kiriko glassware to handcrafted chopsticks made purely by touch.
In Kagurazaka, he finds the slower rhythm of an older Tokyo, frequenting bars like Mizunara that express a distinctly Japanese style.
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