Tokyo Number One!

Tuesday, 30 Oct 2007 | Journal

Japan and especially Tokyo have always been at the top of my list of places to visit. After the decision to move to Asia, it was really only a matter of time before I would end up visiting. Taking the first opportunity given (with Natalie visiting) and I was on my way there. One of the things I was really curious about is if I would like it as much as I thought I would. What we in the west perceive Japan to be could of course be way off.

Having spend almost a week in Tokyo, the conclusion I’ve reached is that what we perceive Japan to be in broad lines is true. A very civilized country, a very polite people with strange habits and great food. But it is very obvious, much more so than I’ve found in places like Thailand, that there is a layer beyond what we can see. A layer which we will never be able to see. I don’t pretend to understand Thai society, but when it comes to Japan the message of ‘you will never really understand this’ is much stronger than in a country like Thailand.

When I visited Hong Kong for the first time, it immediately became my favorite city. New York got bumped. Before my trip, I was wondering if Tokyo would beat Hong Kong and sort of expected it to. It has and it hasn’t. There are certainly things about Tokyo which I find much more interesting than Hong Kong, such as the technology industry, the level of sophistication, that incredible attention to details, etc. But Hong Kong also has certain things going for it, for example the fact that it is much more open to foreigners. Both have the elements of surprise which I love about Bangkok and so dearly miss in Singapore.

I can’t seem to make up my mind. So yes, Tokyo is my number one favorite city in the world. And so is Hong Kong. I’m sure they won’t mind sharing the much coveted and highly reveared position of being MY favorite city.