TOKYO SKYTREE(R) TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN(R) | Review by 陳泰任

Tobu Museum: Echoes of Railway History

When we arrived at the Tobu Museum in Tokyo's Sumida City, we originally thought we would just look at model trains and take pictures of old trains. But once we entered the exhibits, it felt like stepping, little by little, into a corridor through the history of Japanese railway development. Through actual railway cars and historical materials, the Tobu Museum traces the development of Tobu Railway from its founding to the present day.

What caught our attention most were the rows of carefully preserved old trains. From early coal-burning, steam-powered locomotives to the electric trains that followed as the railway was gradually electrified, each era has its own appearance and stories. The dark brown vintage electric train was especially charming in the modern exhibition space, with its wooden body, retro windows, and pantograph on the roof. Meanwhile, the vintage train preserved outdoors looked even more like a scene transcending time beneath the blue sky. The museum also preserves Tobu Railway's early No. 5 steam locomotive and a wooden electric train used during the early days of electrification in 1924, making the evolution of railway technology more tangible.

Interestingly, the boy didn't seem particularly excited about the model trains along the way. But when we came face-to-face with locomotives that had actually once raced along the tracks, we all slowed down without realizing it. Looking at the massive machinery, wheels, connecting rods, and driver's controls, we realized that trains are more than just transportation. They also carry the story of how people in an era traveled, lived, and journeyed far from home.

We didn't rush through this visit. Instead, it made us stop and take our time. From coal and steam to electrification and modern railways, trains changed more than just speed; they also changed the distance between people and cities. As we left the museum and looked back at the rows of old trains, it felt as though we could still hear whistles echoing from deep within the years.

Under the Olympic Rings: The Tokyo Olympic Museum

Arriving in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and stepping into the Japan Olympic Museum feels like opening a door through time into the world of sports. Originating in ancient Greece, the Olympic spirit brings together top athletes from around the world every four years to pursue their dreams and push their limits under the five-colored rings. For many athletes, simply reaching this global stage is one of the greatest honors of their lives.

Although we can't attend every Olympic Games in person, we can take the opportunity during a trip to Tokyo to visit this museum and slowly gather memories of the Olympics. The enormous Olympic rings outside are the most eye-catching landmark, while inside, the museum houses Olympic flames, torches, medals, clothing, and valuable footage from past Games. Each exhibit is not only a piece of sports history but also a record of stories and changing times.

In particular, looking at the many Olympic torches of different shapes displayed on the wall, everything from their designs and materials to their symbolism tells of each host city's vision for this global event. As historical footage plays before your eyes, the moments of running, sweating, cheering, and crying offer a renewed understanding of the true meaning of “Faster, Higher, Stronger—Together.”

Sometimes travel is not just about seeing scenery, but about collecting pieces of history that are difficult to experience firsthand. Standing beneath the Olympic rings and feeling the Games' power to transcend borders added a page filled with passion and emotion to the sports journal of this Tokyo trip.

Meiji Jingu Shrine: Making a Wish in a Tokyo Forest

After arriving in Tokyo and passing through the bustling streets of Shibuya, you turn and suddenly find yourself in a tranquil, lush forest. This is the solemn and sacred Meiji Jingu Shrine. At the entrance stands a massive wooden myojin torii gate, said to have been built from a giant thousand-year-old cypress from Alishan, Taiwan. Looking up at it, you can truly feel a sense of awe and reverence.

As you follow the tree-lined path, sunlight filters through the leaves, and the noise of the city gradually fades away, leaving only the quiet rhythm of footsteps and rustling leaves. In front of the main shrine, the dark wooden buildings, gold accents, and elegant rooflines look especially dignified against the greenery.

The most interesting part is the votive tablet area. Countless ema are covered with wishes from people around the world. Some pray for success, some for safety, and others leave blessings for their families. We also sincerely wrote down our own wishes and hung them in the breeze. Perhaps the meaning of travel is to leave behind a beautiful hope for the next chapter—for ourselves and those we love—in an unfamiliar place.