Huge, safe and endlessly interesting
Two years in Tokyo were some of the best of my life. It is enormous but feels like a collection of villages: every neighbourhood has its own shopping street, bathhouse and cafés. Trains are punctual to the minute, and I felt safe everywhere at any hour. Food is excellent at every price point, from a 500 yen bowl of soba to a special occasion omakase. The difficult parts are the job market if your Japanese is below N2, small apartments, and a work culture that can be demanding. Loneliness is common, but share houses, language exchanges and clubs make it easier to meet people. I would move back tomorrow.
Pros
- Very safe
- Superb public transport
- Outstanding food
- Every neighbourhood feels different
Cons
- Japanese needed for many jobs
- Small, expensive apartments
- Long working hours culture