At the eastern end of Asia, Japan is a place I didn’t expect to visit any time soon. As luck will have it, a current project has required several business trips to Tokyo in recent months, and has introduced me to a most surprising and pleasant cultural experience.
On arrival the first impression begins with the queuing outside the airport terminal. A designated area is painted in front of each coach stop, which allows travellers to form an orderly line. Upon arrival and departure of each coach, the conductors bow expressly and repeatedly to the bus driver.
Tokyo forms a sea of buildings and covers a vast area, hugging Tokyo Bay which leads into the Sagami-nada Sea, through the Uraga Channel, and finally into the Pacific Ocean.
Getting some height in the city, either in your hotel room, office or hotel bar, will reward with a view across the sea of buildings. Impressive during the day, the city takes on a life of its own at night.
On arrival the first impression begins with the queuing outside the airport terminal. A designated area is painted in front of each coach stop, which allows travellers to form an orderly line. Upon arrival and departure of each coach, the conductors bow expressly and repeatedly to the bus driver.
Tokyo forms a sea of buildings and covers a vast area, hugging Tokyo Bay which leads into the Sagami-nada Sea, through the Uraga Channel, and finally into the Pacific Ocean.
Getting some height in the city, either in your hotel room, office or hotel bar, will reward with a view across the sea of buildings. Impressive during the day, the city takes on a life of its own at night.
Flashing red lights are located on the roofs of major skyscrapers, expressing the city’s vibrancy; they create a moving effect which aptly reflects life in the busy metropolis. Particularly on a clear night, this effect can be mesmerizing.
Parks are plenty and all worth a visit. Often these open spaces will surprise with a temple or shrine, adding an interesting twist to a walk. Many of the parks’ pine trees, which also often line the city’s streets, are trimmed to perfection.
The undersides of branches are cleverly and neatly trimmed away, leaving the needles or leaves just growing upwards - creating a great effect!
The undersides of branches are cleverly and neatly trimmed away, leaving the needles or leaves just growing upwards - creating a great effect!
Immersing yourself in the local culture by meeting some locals is well worth the effort, particularly over a pint of Japanese beer, which by the way is far too drinkable. Your efforts will be rewarded by warmth, curiosity, interest and some banter, even when both sides' language skills are somewhat lacking!
So, get out there and explore some of Tokyo if you get a chance ...
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