The positives and negatives of expat life in Tokyo. Includes tips on how to deal with the negative aspects to maximize your experience of the city.
As someone who loves Tokyo it would be very easy to sit here and write a syrupy piece full of platitudes. But that's no help if you're trying to get a handle on what Tokyo life is like. So instead, I’ve chosen to focus on what I call the "ups and the buts". Five "ups" that make this city rock, with the "buts" that make them balance.
UP: a city full of energy
Tokyo has an energy that's hard to put your finger on. It's not overt. It's not in your face. But there's an intangible fizzle and crackle in the air that makes this place breathe.
Why does this energy matter? It's an integral part of the the Tokyo experience and it's a feeling that many have said they share. Where does it come from? Partly from the numbers of people that share this small space with you. And partly from the fact that this is truly a 24/7 city. But it goes beyond that. It feels like it's part of the DNA that binds this city together.
BUT: the "Big City Complex"
Tokyo's bundles of energy are balanced by what could be called the "Big City Complex". It's a feeling that most people get, from time to time, that they just have to escape...
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