| I have lived in Japan for the last four years, and have found it a country of contrasts.
My friend describes Tokyo as a bad game of Tetris. While this somewhat encapsulates the haphazardness of Tokyo’s layout, it doesn’t account for the charm that only a drab concrete megalopolis can exude.
Of course, it’s at night that Tokyo really comes alive; with gangs of hip youngsters, trendy restaurants and neon lighting bright enough to burn a hole through 6 inches of steel. Visitors; please observe the, “protective goggles must be worn at all times” signs.
Japan has firmly embraced the digital age. Many visitors to Japan complain that the language barrier makes communication difficult. In reality, the problem is far simpler. Many Japanese people are now incapable of speech and can only communicate by text messaging.
If you find the go-go pace of Tokyo too much, try escaping to Kyoto. More than just an anagram, this city is the cultural heart of Japan. Intricate temples, immaculate gardens and beautiful geishas are all barely visible behind the throngs of visiting Japanese Junior High School students.
A word of warning; although many of the Japanese children are cute, the Japanese government strictly forbids the capture of students for use as pets.
For the dive enthusiast, Okinawa’s seas are supposed to offer an excellent visibility of up to 30 metres. That’s 8 metres more than the average pedestrian in Tokyo enjoys. |
