Tokyo

In our travels, we try to find context with the new, great cities we visit by making comparisons with New York. We grew up close to the “City” and visit there regularly. We are very fond of NYC.

Quickly, by the numbers (speaking strictly metropolis or city proper), with about 8.5 million residents living on over 300+ square land miles, New York has a density of about 28,000 people/mile2. 

By contrast, Tokyo, with 13.6 million people spread over 840 square miles has a density of about 16,000/mile2. Boston is 14,000/mile2.

Mumbai has a density of 53,000/.  Manhattan 72,000/square mile!!! Manhattan is VERY noisy. Tokyo is incredibly quiet.

Tokyo is very modern and the skyline dates back to the 1970’s. It is expansive, modern and clean. But not lofty and with a uniformity of the architectural style.

The subway system is VAST, clean and inexpensive

 

When I say “Clean” I mean “really clean”. Streets are clean although there are few public trash cans. Cars, cabs, buses, trucks are spotless. We were struck by an asphalt truck that passed and we remarked it could have been hauling fresh milk from the dairy. In this regard, Tokyo is in stark contrast to NYC which has diversity and character, but tends to be dirty.

Windows are spotless and free of fingerprints. Our 24^th floor room – the windows were panes of crystal. On subways, the windows are spotless and free of the smudges left from people’s hair products.

 

Although there is an occasional ambulance passing with a following fire truck, the sirens are not ear deafening and have a distinctive but not nerve shattering effect. They have an urgency in the tone that is not unpleasant. There is also a public address on the ambulance and fire apparatus that requests that you move safely to the left. Yes, they drive left side.

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