Tokyo’s a dream for Westerners. Say the word and it’d be hard to dissuade many from packing their bags and moving to the Far East to live.
I did it, but not because Tokyo was calling me. Come to think of it, I barely knew anything about Tokyo other than the name and a handful of stereotypes: neon lights, fast cars, and anime.
I might’ve asked:
What is it about Tokyo that’s so alluring? Why not other cities in Asia?
Actually living in Tokyo cleared all up confusion. While it’s totally realistic to visit Tokyo and leave with a grip on it’s growing popularity, I’m of the opinion it’s spending years in the city that really opens your eyes.
Tokyo is not overrated. Tokyo is special. So much so it might even be underrated.
It might be one of the safest cities on the planet
Tokyo’s safety is out of this world. I’ve been walking the streets for nearly 3 years now and let me be the first to tell you: I’ve never, ever had a problem. Not even remotely.
I have plenty of female friends (both Japanese and American/European) and they all concur. You can be out and about at 2 a.m. — which is great fun in a place like Tokyo, by the way — and you won’t be bothered, regardless of your sex, age, &c.
Sure, there are still some weirdos here and there. And Tokyo does in fact have homeless people. But there aren’t any real shady areas.
Kabukicho, Roppongi and maybe Ueno are considered “disreputable”, but it doesn’t go any further than that. Kabukicho is the red-light district, but in my experience, it’s the predisposition to worry in such an area more than genuinely feeling worried that affects you.
The overall safety of Tokyo makes it all the better for staying out late. Trains stop around 1 a.m. or earlier, but if you’re out later than that, have no fear. Safety will be the least of your concerns.
It’s squeaky clean
Compared to the rest of Asia most certainly, Tokyo’s astonishingly clean any way you look at it.
Visitors typically notice the absence of public trash cans. That’s right. There are no trash cans, bins, baskets — nothing. This forces everyone to hold onto their trash instead of littering.
The Japanese are highly meticulous. When it comes to the upkeep of things, they’re not any less so. Cleaning and tidying are in their nature, which explains why the sidewalks are spotless. The stairs in train stations, as well as the stations themselves, are just as immaculate.
I often spot older women in their eighties or so out sweeping every last fallen leaf around their property. This is when they can barely wield the broom they’re using.
What’s positive about the cleanliness of Tokyo (all of Japan, really) is that it encourages foreigners to fall in line. I may’ve flicked strips of paper and plastic to the ground in the U.S., but those days are in the past. I have Tokyo to thank for that.
Modern conveniences are everywhere
As a very developed country, it’s no surprise Tokyo boasts cool gadgets and gizmos. If not technology, they have other inventions that save us time and stress.
Once, I was in Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara, and at a loss to communicate in my limited Japanese. Luckily, the sales clerk had a device that translated on the spot (which didn’t glitch as Google Translate tends to). We were able to figure out what it was I was there for.
In changing rooms, in stores such as Uniqlo, there are face covers for females so their makeup doesn’t get on the new clothes. Toilet seats automatically rise when you step into the bathroom. Your commuter pass doubles as a credit card at konbinis and vending machines.
Life is streamlined here. Efficiency and order are valued.
Politeness is big
I’ve been told Tokyoites aren’t as friendly as locals in other parts of Japan. But as compared to other international city-dwellers, they’re quite all right.
While English is virtually nonexistent (granted, it’s been ramped up for the 2020 Olympics), locals are definitely willing to help foreigners out. A good deal of Japanese are interested in practicing their English, so don’t be taken aback if you’re approached.
Omotenashi (hospitality, high-quality customer service) is a given. This means you’ll be treated with respect and, some say, servility. Perhaps the Japanese are too nice. But trust me, that’s preferred to the alternative.
Even in mundane jobs — say as a cashier or a traffic conductor — the Japanese maintain their cheerfulness. If someone is having an off day, it’s masked well. Sacrificing something of themselves to accommodate others is an inborn trait for the Japanese, and it’s on display on multiple levels in Tokyo.
The weather…sort of
Summer is godawful and I don’t wish it on any prospective travelers. While the average temperatures hover around the mid to high 30s, the low 40s aren’t unheard of. And on top of that, it’s terribly humid (think Singapore).
Winter, on the other hand, is in my mind very pleasant. It’s sunny most days with blue skies, and it seldom, if ever, snows. There are some cloudy, rainy and bitterly cold days every now and then. But temperatures don’t drop below 0 °C and are generally in the 5–15 °C range.
Spring is absolutely beautiful (particularly for the sakura, cherry blossoms). Fall has magnificent colors and is a welcome shift away from the dog days of summer.
If I was to choose when I’d come to Tokyo, it’d have to be in spring or fall. But it’s not as if winter is a steep drop-off. Summer, however, should be avoided.
The entertainment is endless
Tokyo’s one giant theme park, and then some. You can stay up all night and still find things to do. If you didn’t know already, Tokyo is one of those never-sleeps hot spots.
Shibuya and Shinjuku draw the biggest crowds, but you can’t miss out on Ueno, Harajuku/Omotesando, Ebisu, Odaiba, and Roppongi as being action-packed in their own right.
For the Japanese, shopping is something of a national pastime. That’s precisely why in train stations there are stands selling everything from discounted shoes to imported wine.
Department stores and restaurant hubs are connected to a large number of the train stations, making it easy to have a blast without going too far.
It seems a large portion of the tourist experience in Tokyo consists of doing as opposed to seeing. Certainly, there are sights (Meiji Jingu marking my favorite), but a lot of Tokyo is about tea ceremonies, cooking classes, game parlors, driving Mario Karts and buying souvenirs.
It’s modern and traditional
One of my earliest impressions of Tokyo was just how modern it was. From the train system to the skyscrapers and the fashion, it was clear Tokyo didn’t feel as old as Europe.
But as I explored more on foot, I’d frequently round a corner and be faced with an ancient shrine, hidden by trees or close to a graveyard. And once in a while, in season, there’d be the younger and older generations alike dressed in kimonos.
It’s beautiful to witness deep tradition that endures no matter the bustling newness all about.
Festivals are carried out every year where you can watch a Shinto ritual performed: a mikoshi (a portable shrine) being borne along to the sound of chants, both in local neighborhoods and main downtown streets.
And then you ride the train a few stops over to the recently opened Shibuya Sky. This 360° open-air observation deck on the rooftop offers fantastic views. Go down to the Sky Gallery for interactive digital art.
Is it possible for both ends of the spectrum to meet in the middle?
In Tokyo, yes.
Japan continues to focus on the tourism industry as a means of unlocking its economic potential. Much of what’s done here is geared to provide a comfortable environment for visitors.
And the truth is, it all starts with Tokyo.
Tokyo is the name that rings bells across the world. Tokyo is the place to be, the gateway to the rest of Japan in all its diversity. And Tokyo has major plans to strike ahead in the race for the greatest city on earth.
