Spotlight On: Celia in Tokyo

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1. Who are you?

I’m Celia, a 29-year-old from a small town in Australia who loves to get out there and experience what the world has to offer. Since I was 17, it was my dream to someday live in Tokyo. When I was 24, I pursued that dream and moved to Japan. Now I’m living in Tokyo as a high school English teacher. Life is pretty sweet!

2. What is your site ‘Celia in Tokyo’ about?

As the name suggests, Celia in Tokyo is mainly about my adventures in the Japanese capital. But since I travel a lot, I also write about other parts of the country as well as traditional events, good eats and cultural aspects I find fascinating. Basically, I want to share what I love about Japan with the rest of the world. Not only do I love to write, but I love to take photos, so my posts always feature my favourite snaps. I also post on Instragram and Facebook.

3. What is one food tip you would give about Tokyo?

One thing unique to Japan which not so many people are aware of is the basements of department stores. Here you can feast your eyes on gourmet heaven in its most stylish and luxurious form, with everything from marbled beef to traditional sweets to quality sushi. One of my all time favourites is the basement of Isetan in Shinjuku.

4. What is one travel tip you would give about Tokyo?

Check event calendars and try to see a matsuri during your visit. These festivals are lively, loud, colourful, and show a different side to the Japanese people. I recommend the Koenji Awa Odori, Sumida River Fireworks, Sanja Matsuri or Ikegami Honmonji Oeshiki.

Also, do yourself a huge favour and get an IC card. These are rechargeable prepaid cards you can use for public transportation. When you pass through the gates, the fare is automatically deducted – quick and easy. Most cards are useable nationwide, too.

5. What is the best thing to eat in Tokyo?

The world’s largest fish market, Tsukiji, is located in central Tokyo, so without doubt the best thing to eat here is fish. One of my top picks is Sushi no Midori – it’s affordable, good quality and right in the middle of bustling Shibuya.

Another notable mention is monjayaki, the regional food of Tokyo. It’s like a runnier version of okonomiyaki (a savoury pancake), and as bad as that sounds, it actually tastes really good. Plus, it’s always fun to grill your own food. There are loads of monjayaki restaurants around Asakusa and Tsukishima.

  Celia in Tokyo, Celia Knox, Japan, Tokyo