Tokyo.
A city that needs no introduction.
Contrary to many, I absolutely love living in Tokyo. Tokyo has got to be one of the best cities I have lived in so far in Japan.
All of us are different, and my opinions might differ to many. What I may think as fun may not be fun to many others. But, I think, we can all agree that this urban skyline is definitely an interesting city to experience life in.
If I had to choose all over again, I will definitely choose to live in Tokyo again.
1. Convenience
We all have heard of the saying that Japan is a convenient, safe and clean country.
So what sets Tokyo apart?
Tokyo has one of the most connected train and bus lines. When you first visit Tokyo, the train lines can be so confusing to many.
Heck, even after years in Japan, I still get lost. But in all fairness, I have got no in-built GPS in my brain so I might not be the best benchmark in terms of direction.
But boy, was this well connected train system amazing.
Moving to Tokyo after living in the suburbs, the whole idea of convenience just levitated to another level. I didn’t have to walk 20 minutes to catch the train.
What more I was living by the JR lines. Right by Shinagawa. I was living at the centre of it all, with a great housemate, and the convenience right at my finger tip. I was loving it. Thanks to Covid, my rent was also reduced and I was by the Meguro river where the sakuras blossomed.
2. Variety
When I say variety, I mean variety in pretty much all aspects.
Variety in food, culture, population, fashion etc.
The vibrant colors and culture was a shock at first but eventually, it was what made Tokyo so fun and enjoyable.
I could get milkshake from shake shack at midnight after a company party and have excellent teishoku (Japanese set meal) at a local shop nearby. The restaurants, from big to small, have its own unique flavours and I especially loved the small family run restaurants that were just hidden gems in the city.
There were a ton of franchises in Tokyo as compared to the suburbs and I loved going out at least twice a week with my housemate, exploring all sorts of eateries in town.
It felt like living, to me.
3. Freedom
Freedom is something I value a lot in.
Growing up in a strict asian strict household, I was given very little of this.
In Tokyo, everyone was free to express themselves. They were free to dress however they pleased and did what they enjoyed.
With the convenience and variety that the city had to offer, freedom was bitter sweet for me. I could go out as late as I wanted to, and eat all sorts of desserts I wanted to.
In the suburbs, variety and convenience was a little harder to get so freedom ended at around 10pm.
4. No plan is still a good plan
I am not good with planning trips. Or even with arranging dinner plans.
So Tokyo was a great place for me when it comes to impromptu plans.
Most weekends I would just wake up and plan what to do around Tokyo that late morning itself. I would stumble across art galleries or hidden gorgeous temples or shrines in Tokyo.
And that was the beauty of Tokyo.
There was a charm in each ward under the Tokyo jurisdiction. There is always something to do every weekend, even when you didn’t plan the weekend ahead.
And I loved that about Tokyo.
5. Friends
As a foreigner in Japan, the chances of other foreigners living in Tokyo or Yokohama are pretty high. Most of my good friends were living in Tokyo and it was a whole lot more fun when you have good company with you.
The suburbs could get boring and lonely but Tokyo, man, was it fun.
Tokyo was a fun city to live in when I was single. I would probably have a different opinion if I were to be raising a family there.
If I had to choose a city to work in Japan again, I might just choose Tokyo, all over again.
Sorry for not including my own photos in this post, my gallery is still a mess from the phone transfer this year. I have to get around to it one day.
Take care everyone.
Yen
Ichi Yen 
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