Tokyo 東京
Tokyo
Located in Meguro-ku at Aobadai
Tokyo, officially Tokyo Metropolis, is one of the forty-seven prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area in the world. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace. Tokyo is in the Kanto region on the southeastern side of the main island Honshu and includes the Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands.
Tokyo is often referred to and thought of as a city, but is officially known as a "metropolitan prefecture", which differs from a city. The Tokyo metropolitan government administers the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo (each governed as an individual city).The metropolitan government also administers 39 municipalities in the western part of the prefecture and the two outlying island chains. The prefecture is part of the world's most populous metropolitan area with upwards of 35 million people and the world's largest urban agglomeration economy.
Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1964 and will host the games again in 2020.
Tokyo was my home for almost twenty-three years and it changed my life. Everyone should be a minority once in their lives and learn a second language.
英語圏で生活している時は考えもまた思いもしませんでしたが、誰もが一度は第二言語を学ぶべきだと思います。それは非英語圏である東京に２３年間住み日本語を理解した経験が私の人生を変えたからです。
I arrived in Tokyo late in the afternoon of March 13, 1993. Earlier in the day I stood on the beach in Los Angeles (then my home) and looked west and wondered what adventure lay ahead for me. After all this was just a temporary assignment. Six months in Tokyo to open a new hotel and then home to LA. But this adventure stretched into two years and eventually brought me back to establish my life in Japan for more than twenty years.
More than anything else Tokyo became my home because of the love of my life, Yoshiko. There is nothing I have been rewarded by in my life in Tokyo that hasn't involved Yoshiko in some way. Lots of ups and downs along the way but I believe we have enriched each other's lives in ways we never imagined. One of the reasons I enjoyed living in Japan was that is constantly challenging me. I strived to learn the culture and to be a good resident but never to let go of the uniqueness of being non-Japanese. A fine line to walk I assure you.
Tokyo is one of great cities of the world. There is more to explore and discover than days in one's life. The culture is as fascinating as it is confusing. Nowhere on Earth is there better food and an abundance of choices. The problems here are at both ends of the spectrum. Streets are safe, public transportation are very reliable and crime is under the radar. At the same time, there are too many people here and the natural disasters are a real threat. It all works well until things go wrong. I have very clear memories of March 2011 and the fear it instilled in me.
What is a burger doing on the Tokyo page?
You would probably never guess it but Tokyo is home to some unbelieveably good burger restaurants. The origins of these joints seem to follow very similar stories. A young man in his 20's travels across America tasting authentic burgers and recreates them back in Tokyo.
Most of these joints are quite small and out of the way but well worth the effort to search them out. My favorite is Martiniburger near Kagurazaka.
Also look for Firehouse in Hongo 4-chome, ARMS near Yoyogi Park, Brozers in Nigyocho, Authentic in Akasaka, and Fatz in Koengi.
Visiting Tokyo with an open weekend morning for an adventure? I recommend a trip to Odaiba on the Yurikamome Line.
Arrive at Shimbashi Station and board this automated train that runs out to Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. You will ride high above the warehouses and dockyards of Tokyo before a sweeping turn to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Fabulous views so try to get as close to the front of the train as possible.
Get off at the Daiba Station and walk towards the water. There you will find a replica of the Statue of Liberty (!) and a large beach with kilometers of walking in both directions.
Most Japanese culinary experiences need to be experienced in Japan. The sushi is better in a small and intimate restaurant surrounded by locals. The sake is fresher in Japan. The local ingredients are better.
Omakase or お任せ ("I'll leave it up to you") is best. The expression is used by patrons at sushi restaurants to leave the selection to the chef, as opposed to ordering à la carte. The chef will generally present a series of plates, beginning with the lightest fare and proceeding to the heaviest dishes.
I have been to many Japanese restaurants around the world but none have left me more satisfied with what I experienced in Japan.