Tokyo: The 22nd Century City. (Tokyo (Japan))

Member Name: Mizio

Product:	Tokyo (Japan)
Date:	26/03/01 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Shopping, restaurants, transportation

Disadvantages: Summer weather, expensive for gaijin

I visited Japan a number of times and will move there in mid May 2001 for two years.

Just to let you know, I am a little biased about Tokyo: I think it's one of the best cities on Earth.

You can read better guides to Tokyo that I could ever write so I will limit this opinion on some of the highlights of my visits:

1) Subway/Trains: I could take trains all day in Tokyo. Punctuality in Japan is a must, given the importance that transportation plays in the economy and the need to shift millions of people across a very tiny surface. However, you can't but marvel at the efficiency of the transport system. I wish the Tube in London was half as good as Tokyo's.

2) Food: Tokyo has got the highest number of restaurants per capita of all capitals in the world (and it's got 12m inhabitants). You can find anything, from fresh buffalo mozzarella to fish and chips. You can find killer bargains in Roppongi where you can stuff your face for $10 but could also lose your shirt over a few slices of sashimi, so beware.

3) Akihabara: if you love electronics, computers and mobile phones this is the place where you want to live and die. All the latest gizmos are on display and the sheer number of shops creates quite a lot of competition and prices can be quite low compared to Europe.

4) People: you can't beat the Japanese for friendliness. Notwithstanding Tokyo being a major metropolis and people living very hectic lives, everyone is very friendly and helpful. Compared to the average Londoner or New Yorker, Tokyo people look like the nicest people after your mother!

5) Lastly, Tokyo enjoys some of the best entertainment around for all tastes and ages.

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