Tokyo’s Tennozu Isle

One of My Favorite Chill Spots

Donny Kimball
6 min readApr 30, 2020
Tokyo’s posh and artsy Tennozu Isle all lit up at night

It’s a cool spring evening and all of the families (who should be staying home as the governor of Tokyo has requested) have departed Tennozu Isle. Left alone with nothing but my own thoughts, I’m overcome by a profound sense of calming tranquility. Despite being smack-dab in the midst of the world’s busiest megalopolis, all is quiet and serene. I think to myself that this sensation must be what Ryan Holiday is attempting to convey in his insightful book Stillness is the Key. For a minute, I allow myself to relax and forget all the insanity that has been plaguing the world as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

For years now, I have been coming to Tokyo’s Tennozu Isle whenever I needed a reprieve from the worries of the day. Though I cannot exactly put a finger on what it is, there’s just something about this place that puts my mind at ease. Perhaps it’s the waterfront property? Perhaps it’s the artsy vibe? Who knows! Regardless, Tennozu Isle has long been my staunch bastion of serenity in the middle of the chaos that is modern life in Tokyo. While I don’t frequent the haven nearly enough, somehow I always find myself returning to Tennozu Isle and especially so when in desperate need of quiet, alone moments.

Haven’t heard of Tennozu Isle before? Well, know that this 200,000 square meter area was…

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Donny Kimball

I'm a travel writer and freelance digital marketer who blogs about the sides of Japan that you can't find in the mainstream media. https://donnykimball.com/