Tokyo

Tokyo struck me as the Japanese version of Los Angeles. Many will disagree with this sentiment because most associate Los Angeles with cars and traffic jams. Tokyo replaces car travel with subways and trains, but it is similar in that it is geographically huge and decentralized. Tokyo Station is nominally at the center, but there are many different districts that are spread out.

Tokyo, to my surprise, isn't a tourist-friendly city. Most world cities are full of tourists, and Tokyo does have a few locations where the tourists flock. But most of Tokyo feels lightly touristed. On the subways and trains, I saw few foreigners. Fewer locals than expected spoke English. Vegetarian eating was difficult. Tokyo also doesn't have a big list of must-see tourist attractions.

Tokyo is a good place to visit, but it is the kind of city that will take time to experience fully.