Virginia Marra

My first stay in Tokyo lasted a month. I was 19, studying Japanese, and already familiar with the alphabets and a few kanji, which fascinated me for their ability to express complex ideas through a handful of signs.

You never forget your first time in Japan. In Tokyo, you have to observe, listen and absorb everything: the language echoing everywhere, the aromas of restaurants and street food, the scale of the skyscrapers and the fragility of hidden temples. It is a country of contrasts: chaotic yet quiet, strict yet respectful, kind yet uncompromising.

Leading a tour in Japan is a source of wonder for me. My enthusiasm is contagious and turns every journey into an exchange of questions and stories. Helping people understand Japan means going beyond clichés and explaining its silences, respect for rules, sense of the common good, and the culture behind every gesture and dish.

Among the places closest to my heart are Kappabashi-dori and Odaiba in Tokyo, Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka in Kyoto, the atmosphere of Shirakawa-go, and the view of Lake Biwa from the train. Every journey allows me to rediscover Japan from a different perspective and share its authentic spirit with those travelling alongside me.