Tokyo

I travelled Japan for just over two weeks in August, leaving in my wake a trail of
unforgettable experience and broken preconceptions.

The stereotypes attributed to Japan by Westerners are many and numerous, with the kinder
ones referencing a thrusting futuristic development, a thriving cartoon scene and a well-
preserved history. While I can vouch for the presence of them all within the capital, there is
plenty about Tokyo to surprise tourists - even those who think they know it all.

It's difficult to sum up an entire metropolis in a single article, but given the way I've started, it
seems only appropriate to do so through the preconceptions I - and many other people -
travelled there with.

Preconception one - It's the city of the future

Its blazing neon streets, super-fast trains and electronic toilets in practically every building have
earned Tokyo the label 'City of the Future' and in some respects, I understand why.

Add to that the new developments being initiated by the science department every day, and its
reputation is, to some extent, justified.

But as with everywhere, the super-futuristic is balanced out with the super-old fashioned.