50 REASONS TOKYO IS THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD

Tokyo's far too polite to boast, but let's face it: this is one hell of a city. There's a reason why everyone from William Gibson to Kanye West has fallen in love with the place: it's a sprawling metropolis so crammed with distractions that everyone seems to get something slightly different out of it. Whether it's the fashion, the world-class food, the respect for tradition, or the consuming pop-culture buzz - the recently anointed host of the 2020 Olympics always delivers. But why are we convinced it's the best? We'll give you 50 answers to that question... Words James Hadfield Photography Satoshi Asakawa

#01

BECAUSE IT'S FINALLY GOT ITS MOJO BACK

When Japan's economic bubble burst in the late '80s, it sent the nation into an economic and existential funk that ended up lasting for two decades. Tokyo didn't slump nearly as badly as other parts of the country, but there was a long stretch where it felt like the capital was drifting listlessly rather than hurtling into the future. Not any more: while the 2020 Olympics look set to provide the city with a huge ego boost, that's just the latest thing to smile about. Whether it's forward-thinking projects such as Tokyo Skytree and the recent redevelopment of the Marunouchi and Shibuya areas, or the fact that we've had a change in governor, the city is back on track again.

#04

BECAUSE FASHION IS A WAY OF LIFE

When it comes to fashion, Tokyoites put most of the civilised world to shame. From junior high school kids to senior citizens, people here invest painstaking effort in keeping up appearances - and that includes a nearly slavish devotion to the latest trends. Spend the afternoon on Harajuku's Cat Street and you can enjoy an ad hoc catwalk parade, as shoppers flaunt their newest outfits. Head to nearby Omotesando for a ritzier, more mature crowd, or explore the second-hand clothing shops and punky boutiques of Koenji and Shimokitazawa. The fashion world is less stratified - and more accessible - than it used to be: even in upmarket Ginza, you'll find flagship branches of Uniqlo and Gap alongside the high-end boutiques and old department stores.

#05

BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE THAN ONE FUJI

If you can't be bothered to climb all 3,776 metres of Mount Fuji, relax. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, devotees built replicas of the peak around Tokyo, using rocks from the mountain itself, and you can still find 50 of these mini mountains - known as fujizuka - today.

#06

NAOKI INOSE
GOVERNOR OF TOKYO

‘Tokyo is a dynamic city that also happens to be the safest in the world. It maintains a train network that runs by the minute, and a bullet train that stops at locations precise to within a centimetre. You don't have to worry if you lose your wallet - ¥3 billion in cash is returned to its owners every year. Such sophistication, and the deeply ingrained spirit of hospitality among its people, are what make Tokyo the best city.

#07

BECAUSE YOU CAN GO HIKING WITHOUT LEAVING THE CITY LIMITS

Tokyo residents pining for the great outdoors don't have to go far: the western reaches of the prefecture are prime hiking territory. Mount Takao, in suburban Hachioji, is the most-visited peak in the world, drawing 2.6m people each year. If you're seeking peace and quiet, head for the more remote Okutama area instead.

#10

BECAUSE WE HAVE THE WORLD'S BEST DOMESTIC AIRPORT
– AND THAT'S OFFICIAL

Already lauded by the likes of Monocle magazine, Tokyo Haneda added another gong to the list when it picked up the Skytrax award for ‘World's Best Domestic Airport' in 2013. Convenient, efficient and spotlessly clean, it also packs enough shops and restaurants to make you want to get there well before your flight leaves.

#11

BECAUSE IT'S THE HOME OF THE LOVE HOTEL

Adulterers don't have to settle for a squalid motel in Tokyo - they can live it up in style at one of the city's love hotels. Unfailingly discreet and often gloriously tacky, these romantic getaways are worth visiting even if you aren't up to anything naughty. And there are literally hundreds of them.

Photography Kyoichi Tsuzuki

#14

BECAUSE IT HAS A SHRINE FOR EVERY OCCASION - EVEN FINDING LOVE

Whether you're looking for success in exams, good business fortune, or just a cure for your ailments, Tokyo has a shrine to answer your prayers. That's even true of people pining for true love - just point your compass towards Tokyo Daijingu in Iidabashi.

#15

BECAUSE OUR
CONVENIENCE STORES
ARE ACTUALLY
CONVENIENT

#16

YUKI OTA
OLYMPIC FENCER

‘It's the huge diversity of food here that makes Tokyo the greatest city in the world. We have a wide range of both fast and slow food, all of high quality. I also love that the city has so many different faces. Shibuya and Harajuku are known for having lots of young people incessantly hanging out. In Ginza you can shop for luxuries, Roppongi is famous for its nightlife and Asakusa is a very traditional sector.'

#17

BECAUSE IT HAS ONE OF THE BEST GAY BARS IN EXISTENCE

READ MORE

Photography Kaoru Yamada www.kaoruyamada.com

#18

BECAUSE WE HAVE THE MECCA OF OTAKU: AKIHABARA

It was once one of the dorkiest districts in Tokyo, but the increased cultural clout of Japan's otaku (people with obsessive interests) has transformed Akihabara into a must-visit destination. Manga, anime, idolatrous pop - it's all here, and although there aren't as many electronics shops as there used to be, this is still the best place to score the most cutting- edge gadgets at bargain prices.

#19

BECAUSE IT'S
A POP-CULTURE
PARADISE

When you've got wacky girl group Momoiro Clover Z fronting public safety campaigns and even the Bureau of Sewerage boasting its own cute little mascot, it's hard to take things too seriously. Pop culture infiltrates almost every aspect of life in Tokyo, such as the ever-present ‘image characters' (the, often cartoon, 'face' of a brand), and the sound trucks that blast shoppers with upbeat J-pop ditties. Not for nothing has singer and Harajuku style icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu practically become the city's ambassador - and thanks to the likes of manga-influenced artist Makoto Aida, even the contemporary art world hasn't been spared. Just be warned: if you're an anime, manga, music, film, fashion or video game junkie, you might want to leave the credit card at home before embarking on a shopping trip here.

#20

BECAUSE YOU CAN WATCH
ENORMOUS MEN IN LOINCLOTHS
WRESTLE IN THE NAME OF SPORT

National sports don't get much quirkier than sumo wrestling, and even if you don't understand the intricacies, it's a hugely entertaining spectator sport. There are a total of six tournaments (basho) in Japan each year, and Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan hosts three of them – in January, May and September.

#21

TSUYOSHI TAKASHIRO
VIDEOGRAPHER AND DJ

‘The charm of Tokyo is the fact it exists as a place that's both flat and excessive. Historical sites and cutting-edge venues stand side-by-side; culture that has existed here for thousands of years sits next to trends that have only been around since last month. In other words, there's no hierarchy nor layers: everything is in excess. Excess wipes out the hierarchy.'

#24

BECAUSE WE HAVE TOKYU HANDS

When people describe Tokyu Hands as the shop that sells everything, they're exaggerating... but only a little. The multi-floor branches in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza and Ikebukuro are the first port of call for shoppers seeking anything, whether kitchenware, party goods or DIY products.
www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en

#25

BECAUSE YOU CAN
BATHE IN HOT
SPRING WATER

Living in one of the most volcanically active countries in the world has its perks. You'll find natural hot springs throughout Japan, and that includes Tokyo. Try Oedo Onsen Mongatari for an Edo-era onsen theme park, or take a dip in the distinctive black kuroyu waters at neighbourhood bathhouses such as Shimizuyu in Musashikoyama.

#26

BECAUSE LOST PROPERTY ACTUALLY GETS
RETURNED – INTACT

So low is the fear of thieves in Tokyo that people often use their handbags to reserve seats while placing an order in coffee shops. And if you're unfortunate enough to lose your wallet or bag, there's a good chance it'll be returned to the nearest station or police box... without anyone pinching the contents first.

#27

BECAUSE YOU CAN SING KARAOKE
IN A HOT TUB

Part karaoke box, part theme park, Lovenet in Roppongi offers some truly outlandish rooms. Best of all is the Aqua Suite, where you can warble your way through the hits from the comfort of a hot tub – and don't worry, you can borrow a swimsuit if you've forgotten to bring your own.

#28

KYARY PAMYU PAMYU
ARTIST AND POP STAR

‘On my world tour, I travelled around many countries and enjoyed the shopping and attractions. I loved every minute of it, but when the tour ended and I returned to Tokyo, I reflected and thought: Yeah, I really like Tokyo. In my opinion, what's fascinating about the city is that certain buildings are very Japanese in style, like Tokyo Tower. My favourite place in Tokyo is Harajuku. There's no place like it, where you can enjoy fashion and music so freely!'

#29

BECAUSE YOU CAN
WATCH BIG-NAME
BANDS IN INTIMATE
VENUES

Grimes, Jake Bugg, Savages: artists who've already graduated to thousand-plus capacity venues in the US and Europe typically alight at smaller joints such as Club Quattro (03 3477 8750) when they come to Tokyo. Tickets may be pricey, but audiences are rewarded with the chance to see their new favourite bands up close and personal.www.club-quattro.com

#30

BECAUSE IT'S HEAVEN
FOR BOOKWORMS

Print ain't dead – at least not as far as Tokyo's concerned. While e-books are still a rare sight on the city's trains, you'll discover literally thousands of bookshops here, including bibliophile wet dreams such as the gorgeous Daikanyama Tsutaya Books. And you could lose a day browsing your way through the Jimbocho neighbourhood, home to an amazing 180 second-hand bookshops and street stalls.www.tinyurl.com/TOTbooks

#31

BECAUSE YOU CAN HAVE
COFFEE WITH EXOTIC CRITTERS

Cat cafés were just the beginning. In a city where many landlords forbid pets, people have to get creative – which might explain why Tokyo has coffee shops where you can cosy up not just with felines but with rabbits, goats and owls. Head to nearby Yokohama and they've even got a reptile café.

#32

BECAUSE WE HAVE VIBRANT
STREET FESTIVALS
YEAR-ROUND

Japan has a keen sense of tradition, and that's as true of Tokyo as it is of anywhere else. One of the most conspicuous examples is the street festivals that crop up throughout the year, many of them enacting centuries-old rites in the traditional fashion: fuelled by generous quantities of sake and bonhomie. Events such as the massive Sanja Matsuri (pictured above) draw millions of spectators, but almost every neighbourhood seems to have its own portable shrines tucked away, ready for their own, smaller-scale festivities. Make friends with some locals in your area and you might even end up getting roped in to the action yourself.

#35

BECAUSE WE HAVE THE
BEST FIREWORKS FESTIVALS
IN THE WORLD

Fireworks aren't just reserved for special occasions in Tokyo. Throughout summer, you can witness jaw-dropping displays of pyrotechnics pretty much every weekend in the capital – and best of all, they're free.

#36

BECAUSE THERE'S NO SUCH
THING AS ‘TOO NICHE' HERE

Want to drink in a bar devoted to model trains, airsoft guns or monster movies? In Tokyo, you can find all that and much more. Don't believe us? Head to Nakano Broadway (5-52-15 Nakano, Nakano) and prepare to be amazed.

#37

BECAUSE WE HAVE THE
MOST EFFICIENT TRANSPORT
SYSTEM ON THE PLANET

Shifting the equivalent of a medium-sized country's entire population is all part of a day's work for the Tokyo transport system. The dense network of overland and underground rail lines manages to cover most of the city, which might explain why many residents consider car ownership a pointless extravagance. Sure, commuters love to grumble about the rush-hour crowds and (mostly insignificant) delays, but when you consider the volumes of people riding the trains every day, it's remarkable how smoothly everything goes. And where else in the world do you get given special notes to pass on to your boss if your train is late?

#38

BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE
SAFEST METROPOLISES ON THE PLANET

Life in Tokyo can feel like being wrapped in a thick blanket sometimes. How many of us have stumbled home tipsy in the wee hours of the morning, without having to worry about getting relieved of our valuables on the way back? That's because violent crime is a rarity here: assaults and muggings are practically unheard of, and unless you're a member of the yakuza you're unlikely to get bumped off (according to UN statistics, Tokyo's homicide rate is a mild 0.4 per 100,000 people – compared to a more frightening 5.6 in New York). Of course, as with anywhere else, it's still important to exercise caution – purse snatching is a problem, and bicycle theft is rife – but in general, peace of mind reigns supreme. And that's nice to know.

#39

KEIICHIRO SHIBUYA
COMPOSER AND MUSICIAN

‘Is Tokyo the number one city in the world? The strange thing about this question is that it doesn't acknowledge the rest of Japan and its place between Tokyo and the rest of the world. But I think that's the way it should be. Actually, I think what I love most about Tokyo is that it encourages such an innocent question to be asked.'

#40

BECAUSE IT ISN'T THE END
OF THE WORLD IF YOU MISS
THE LAST TRAIN HOME

It may not have 24-hour public transport (yet), but Tokyo has multiple options for people who've missed their last train and don't fancy drinking until dawn. Get an all-night package at a karaoke box, rent a booth in a manga café, head to a capsule hotel – the choice is yours.

#41

BECAUSE THE
FAST FOOD
IS HILARIOUSLY OTT

It may seem like a waste to come all this way only to go to a fast-food chain... but that's until you've seen some of the bizarre, limited-edition offerings on the menu here, such as the truffle- and chorizo-laced ‘premium' burger that McDonald's sold for merely a single day.

#42

BECAUSE YOU CAN
EXPERIENCE FOOD AS IT
REALLY TASTES (IE RAW)

Fish sashimi is not the only thing that gets served up raw in Tokyo. Look out too for sashimi made from beef, chicken and horse – or more esoteric options such as deer, boar and bear (no, really).

#43

BECAUSE YOU WON'T
FIND BETTER BARTENDERS
ANYWHERE ELSE

The cult of the mixologist never really took off here – bartenders are far too busy perfecting the classics. The highballs at Star Bar (03 3535 8005) will be the best you've ever tasted.

#44

BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME
SERIOUSLY EXTREME EATS

Looking for something to revive a jaded palate? Try Asadachi (1-2-14 Nishi- Shinjuku, Shinjuku), a tiny restaurant found in the charmingly named ‘Piss Alley', where the stomach-churning seasonal specials might include raw pig penis, grilled salamanders or frog sashimi – prepared right before your eyes from a live specimen.

#45

BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THE
COSIEST BARS AND RESTAURANTS

Spaciousness is overrated. Some of the most memorable nights we've had in Tokyo were spent snuggled up at the counter in tiny restaurants and bars that would've struggled to fit more than ten people. The average neighbourhood has dozens of places like this – perfect for an intimate, personalised dining experience.

#46

BECAUSE WE SERVE THE
TASTIEST PIZZA THIS SIDE
OF NAPLES

That old stereotype about Japanese perfectionism certainly seems to apply to the capital's growing ranks of pizzaioli. While fans of American-style pies will find the offerings here a bit lacking, the Neapolitan treats dished out at pizzerias such as Da Isa (03 5768 3739) and Seirinkan (03 3714 5160) are arguably as good as anything you'd find in Italy. www.da-isa.jp www.tinyurl.com/TOTseir

#47

BECAUSE WE'VE
GOT THE BEST SUSHI

This one's a no-brainer, really. There are some mighty fine sushi joints to be found in other cities around the globe, but you just can't beat the quality or range of Tokyo's restaurants, from the three-Michelin-starred Sukiyabashi Jiro (03 3535 3600) to scruffy counter shops in Tsukiji Market. Hell, even the conveyor belt stuff ain't bad. www.sushi-jiro.jp

#48

BECAUSE OUR DESSERTS ARE
JUST DOWNRIGHT SUBLIME

You'd never know from looking at people's enviably svelte waistlines that this is a nation of sweet freaks. Try Tokuya in Harajuku (03 5772 6860) for elegant renditions of classic Japanese desserts such as warabi mochai (jelly made from bracken starch, dipped in toasted soy bean flour), or indulge at one of the capital's many foreign imports, such as Milan's Gelateria Marghera (2-5-1 Azabu-Juban, Minato) and Honolulu pancake specialists Cafe Kaila (5-10-1 Jingumae, Shibuya). Well, you can always work it off the next day by climbing up Mount Fuji. www.tinyurl.com/TOTtokuya

#49

BECAUSE OF
FANTASTIC
CHEFS LIKE
SEIJI YAMAMOTO

READ MORE

Photography Yuhei Ohyama

#50

…and because we have
plenty more where he came from…

Tokyo has 14 triple-Michelin-starred
restaurants - the most in the world. QED.

Time Out Tokyo magazine launch

Now, by popular demand, and building on the success of our city guides and website, Time Out Tokyo presents the first issue of our magazine! Tokyo's own local experts have unearthed the city's diverse attractions; now they will be transmitted to the world through Time Out's global network. In Tokyo, the magazine is geared to tourists and expats, and is distributed free of charge at 300 locations - primarily airports, train stations and hotels.

The unique qualities of Tokyo will be boldly showcased in this special first issue. The theme for the issue is '50 Reasons Tokyo is the Greatest City in the World'. Time Out has already expanded to cover 40 cities in 35 countries, and has earned tremendous trust around the world. Now, we will reveal the many attractive places that are just waiting to be discovered in every corner of Tokyo.

Time Out has elicited comments about Tokyo's appeal from Naoki Inose, the metropolitan governor, and from Yuki Ota, the athlete who won a silver medal in fencing at the London Olympics. The special first issue will also include a feature on the ongoing photographic art project 'They Shoot Tokyo', produced by Tokyo-Ga and featuring 100 Japanese and foreign photographers, including the renowned Daido Moriyama. The magazine's special feature article will introduce readers to unique expressions of Tokyo as seen through the eyes of 25 of these photographers. 

Time Out Tokyo magazine will also feature high quality, detailed, up-to-date information that can only be obtained by local experts who are intimately familiar with the city. This info has been prepared with a global readership in mind, and will be presented in a satisfyingly thick volume of 84 pages. Get your copy now!

Release details:

Title: Time Out Tokyo magazine
Publication frequency: Four times per year (planned issues: 2013 - October; 2014 - March, June, September, December)
Format: 297 mm x 225 mm (slightly larger than A4), 84 pages
Price: Free
Copies: 100,000
Publication date: October 29, 2013

Got a minute to spare?

Complete our quick online survey and you could win a Time Out Tokyo tote bag.

in the next issue of
Time Out Tokyo…