Tokyo Trip 2025: Shinjuku, Meiji Jingu Inner Garden, teamLab

Because of being a major international airport, Tokyo has always been my first stop in Japan. This city lives up to its fame, so it was great to be back. Yet, in an entirely new arrangement.

This time, the capital city of my beloved East Asian culture hosted me and my partner. As a digital nomad couple, we looked for an apartment suitable for remote work. Therefore, I happily traded cramped hostels from my previous travels for a cozy and functional flat.

Shinjuku Ochiai Soluna White House

Our lovely apartment was in a residential district of Shinjuku. Which was very convenient. Close enough to hop on a short train ride to any attractions, yet quiet at night.

The Shinjuku Ochiai Soluna White House, that we found on Booking, was a perfect size for a couple. A modern Japanese apartment with a small kitchen, living room and separate bedroom. Most importantly, it provided enough space to arrange two workspaces. Me having set up an impromptu standing-desk and my partner working from the sofa.

Meiji Jingu Inner Garden

The Meiji shrine has been one of my favorite spots in Tokyo. Enclosed by the lush Yoyogi Park, seals visitors from the noisy city. During our stroll, I discovered an unvisited section. The Meiji Jingu Gyoen was an inner garden with a paid entrance. The 500 yen, however, was a worthwhile expense.

The garden hosted Kakuun-tei, a historical tea house, with a picturesque view of the pond. Even more impressively, a Grey Heron was sashaying nearby the visitors. Much like in Miyazaki's “The Boy and the Heron” anime.

Every corner of the Meiji Jingu Inner Garden was a trove of inspiring sights. Small hills, trees dropping leaves, and shaded wooden benches. A perfect scenery to relax and observe nature. Or even find a famous tanuki, the Japanese raccoon, hiding in the bush.

teamLab Planets Tokyo DMM

While you can find such peaceful oases, Tokyo has been mostly associated with neon lights, futuristic architecture, and entertainment venues. The teamLab Planets Tokyo DMM was by far one of the top experiences. In fact, it was a very well executed interactive art installation.

Its giant rooms were perfectly dark, like in a theater. Dozens of high definition projectors beamed the same objects from multiple angles. Such an advanced setup created a vivid illusion of fantastic animals, abstract shapes, and dream-like environments. Giant inflatable balls and uncountable LEDs, illuminated like a galaxy, strengthened the experience.

Each return to Tokyo reminds me why this city is a great playground for digital nomads. Place where tradition and innovation coexist, and every corner offers a new perspective. This time, sharing the journey with my partner and settling into a space that truly felt like home, made all the difference.

Whether we were working side by side in our Shinjuku apartment, wandering through tranquil gardens, or getting lost in futuristic art, Tokyo proved once again that it’s possible to balance productivity and adventure. For anyone, dreaming of blending work and wanderlust, Japan’s capital, simply delivers.