Before coming to Tokyo, I really liked the huge red lantern at Kaminarimon, so this time, instead of staying in busy areas like Shibuya or Shinjuku like everyone else, I chose to stay in Asakusa. Rather than spending all my time in a bustling downtown area, I prefer Asakusa's atmosphere—lively, but not so crowded that it feels overwhelming.
Shitaya Jinja was a place I happened to come across during this trip. I was just strolling along the streets without any particular sights planned when I spotted the entrance to the shrine and realized there was such a charming place tucked away here.
Once inside, there were fewer crowds than around Sensoji Temple and a greater sense of quiet. The red torii gates and traditional shrine buildings blend naturally with the surrounding Tokyo streets, giving it an everyday feel. Sometimes that's what travel is like—when you don't plan out your itinerary in detail, you end up discovering small places you never expected
