4F Nihonkoudoukai Building
3-1-6 Nishikanda, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo, Japan 101-0065
Telephone
03-6261-4097
Outside Japan & Global Division
+813-6261-4096
Domestic Sales Division
03-6261-4099
Fax
03-6261-4098
inquiry@mrl-tokyo.com
4F Nihonkoudoukai Building
3-1-6 Nishikanda, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo, Japan 101-0065
Telephone
03-6261-4097
Outside Japan & Global Division
+813-6261-4096
Domestic Sales Division
03-6261-4099
Fax
03-6261-4098
inquiry@mrl-tokyo.com
Article written by guest collaborator: Y. Maekawa
In the global ranking of metropolitan GDP, Tokyo ranks third, following London and New York. Paris is fourth, and Singapore is fifth. GDP is an indicator of economic scale, but Tokyo is not just a large economy.
According to the U.S. edition of Condé Nast Traveler, Tokyo has been selected as the world’s most attractive major city for two consecutive years. The second place went to Kyoto. (Reference: U.S. edition — https://www.cntraveler.com/)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Area Has the World’s Largest Population
Including the surrounding cities, the population of the Tokyo metropolitan area currently stands at 38,505,000, making it the largest in the world. Along with its vast economy, Tokyo also ranks among the world’s leading metropolitan regions in terms of population.
In recent years, the Tokyo metropolitan area has been attracting not only travelers from around the world but also migrants. One of the reasons is its relatively low cost of living and abundant business opportunities.
When I lived in Tokyo in the mid-1980s to early 1990s, the city was already a great metropolis, booming during Japan’s bubble economy. However, the number of foreign tourists and immigrants was far smaller than it is today.
For example, nowadays you can easily find authentic Vietnamese, Thai, Mediterranean, Brazilian, and halal restaurants in Tokyo — but that wasn’t the case back then.
People moving to the Tokyo metropolitan area come not only from abroad but also from regional cities across Japan, seeking business opportunities. Although Japan’s total population is declining due to aging, Tokyo is an exception. Businesses that cater to the diverse needs of various groups of people continue to emerge in Tokyo.
A City of Diverse Cultures and Enjoyment
Tokyo was once called Edo, and feudal lords (daimyō) from all over Japan came here with their retainers. As a result, a wide variety of regional cultures were brought to Edo and blended together, forming the foundation of modern Tokyo.
Food, fashion, music, alcohol, architecture, literature, and even martial arts from across Japan gathered here and evolved into today’s Japanese culture.
Within the Tokyo area — including Shitamachi (the old downtown), Yamanote (the uptown area), Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama — you can still see the distinct dialects and cultures that have been passed down since the Edo period, preserving the city’s rich diversity.
A Place to Enjoy Through All Four Seasons
The Tokyo area is blessed with abundant natural surroundings — the sea, mountains, rivers, and forests are all nearby.
In Kanagawa, Chiba, and Shizuoka, marine sports such as surfing, yachting, and swimming are very popular. The surrounding region also has many golf courses and hot springs, and fishing is widely enjoyed with a great variety of fish to catch.
In Yamanashi and Shizuoka, there are many mountains suitable for serious climbing, including Mount Fuji. As autumn deepens, the area offers beautiful autumn foliage.
Japan’s transportation network is highly developed, making it easy and convenient to travel anywhere.
A metropolitan area like Tokyo — where you can enjoy the changing four seasons, live affordably and safely, and find plentiful business opportunities — is truly rare in the world.
