Back in 2013 I visited Japan with a close friend, a place that had always been at the top of my bucket list. After 11 years I finally had the opportunity to return, with fresh eyes and a deeper appreciation for what the Japanese have to offer.
This trip we focused on the two major cities of Tokyo and Osaka, both of which are dauntingly large and packed with people. Each of these cities have different things to offer and appreciate, which made for some nice contrast on our trip. Due to the number of photos that I took, I decided to split the trip into two posts.
Tokyo’s flourishing businesses have made it the largest city in the world by sheer population alone. Everything is built upwards, with businesses and people stacked on top of each other in the most efficient ways possible. The result of this level of density means that a lot of the shops and restaurants you seek might be found on the second or third floor of a commercial building. To me this created a heightened level of mystery and fascination to things, being that so many places are hidden from the street.
People in Tokyo are focused and busy, living in a city at the forefront of the future. Their dispositions, while straightforward and terse at times, are still fundamentally Japanese. There’s a politeness and mutual respect within each person, which I feel everybody else in the world could learn from. Their approach to the world is infinitely nuanced, and it’s even reflected in how they speak to each other, where subtle variations in language can imply so much meaning.
It’s no wonder that Tokyo has inspired so much fascination for people. I’m certain that I’d only grazed the surface of the city since it is so incredibly large and full of many different areas of interest. I certainly feel compelled to return and dig even deeper.
The next post will be about my experience in Osaka. Stay tuned!
Bryan, I enjoyed your blog on Tokyo. I’m so happy you are able to travel so we can experience the world through your photos and insights.
Happy New Year!