Unpopular opinion: Tokyo is overrated

I can cope with it for a few hours, but longer than that and it starts to get the better of me. The noise, the atmosphere, the sense of being crushed. Too much.

Don't get me wrong. There are some lovely places to visit, from the Statue of Liberty (no, honest) and its surrounding parkland to the various temples and parks dotted about. It's just to get them you have to endure the other bits.

And don't get me started on Shibuya. That's a place too famous for its own good.

Nope, give me the relative quiet of Osaka, or the calm of Kobe.

So if you're coming here and you enjoy the full-on-assault of bright lights, J-pop and long queues to do anything, visit Tokyo.

If you prefer something a bit calmer, visit literally anywhere else in Japan.

My name is Ross Hori

I'm a freelance writer, designer and photographer. By day I create articles, features and reports. At night I take photos and write fiction. Find out more.

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