TOKYO: AN ILLUSTRATED JOURNEY
- Francesco Lo Iacono
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you've been following me on Instagram, you've certainly already spotted my latest trip to Tokyo through stories, videos and pictures. Last year I had the pleasure of visiting different areas in Japan; last summer I had the chance to spend some days in Iceland, this time my journey was focused on Tokyo only, where I spent almost three weeks. Before leaving, I had the intention to keep my recent habit of sketching on-site, capturing fleeting moments as a way to transform places into lasting, personal, unique memories.
This time, Tokyo unfolded not only through its streets and temples, but also through extraordinary professional and personal encounters and amazing opportunities like working with Dries Van Noten, Panerai, and Noir Etoffe, experiences that added a unique creative rhythm to my time in Tokyo.
Tokyo, a city I already knew but was excited to rediscover with fresh eyes, this vibrant city became once again a beautiful mix of work, creativity, and exploration, and I am happy to share some of this magic through my sketches.
Even though this time the jetlag lasted for about a week, on the third day of my trip, I decided to visit the Zojo-ji Temple, which I actually never had the chance to before.
With its traditional temple buildings standing right in front of Tokyo Tower, I thought this would be the perfect first and fitting image for a city known for its powerful mix of old and new.
I was blessed with a lovely sunny day, so I definitely took my time to sketch there in the calm of the morning, surrounded by history, incense, and that unmistakable Tokyo contrast.
The spot is certainly a pretty famous one, so I was also approached a few times by tourists, which added an extra layer of fun to the morning.
A few days later, I decided to explore a bit of the neighbourhood I was living in and headed to the Yūyake Dandan, a lovely staircase known for its unique atmosphere, especially at sunset.
The area is famous for its warm and nostalgic vibe, and it was a one-of-a-kind spot to sketch in, as equally crowded by locals and tourists, different people had a peek at my sketchbook, including some children.
It felt a bit like time was slowing down, and I truly enjoyed the moment.
The weather was sunny once I arrived and started sketching, but later it got cloudy. Despite this, I kept using the colourful tones my work is usually known for.
The following step of my illustrated journal was the quite famous Meiji Jingu in Harajuku.
Hidden inside a lush forest in the middle of the city, the Shintoist shrine feels like stepping into another world. The walk through the trees is almost as beautiful as the shrine itself. Given its strategic position, within one of the busiest districts in Tokyo, the Meiji Jingu was pretty crowded with tourists but also locals, mostly visiting because of the numerous weddings taking place here; I counted four at least while I was painting!
Approaching my last week, I kept the exploration heading up north from my neighbourhood, visiting the Nanushinotaki Park, one of those places you wouldn't necessarily expect in Tokyo.
Tucked away and quietly beautiful, Nanushinotaki Park is home to a small waterfall and a very peaceful atmosphere, far from the craziness of Shinjuku or Shibuya.
The park is small and so intimate, sketching here felt like taking a deep breath away from the city’s rhythm.
The Suwa Shrine, not far from one of my favourite places in Tokyo, Jimbōchō, the centre of used-book stores and publishing houses, was the last stop of this illustrated diary.
I already spotted this Shrine ahead of my departure, I found its architecture and colours truly rich and fascinating, that's why I planned to visit it.
Suwa Shrine is not especially crowded; it's mostly a neighbourhood shrine with its own quiet charm. The day was sunny, but it was slightly windy and cold, so I didn't last long sketching, but I really enjoyed this quiet moment, a perfect way to close this Tokyo sketching journey.
Looking back at these drawings now, I realise once again why I love sketching on site. They’re not just images, they’re moments, colours, sounds, pauses, and emotions I’ll carry with me for a long time, memories of this vibrant city, which keeps surprising me every time.
