Greater Tokyo is the most populous metropolitan region in the world. Eye-catching places like Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, have served as movie sets and appeared in video games.
Still, the Japanese capital is an easy place to get around, thanks in part to its unique public transportation system. It has a reputation for providing some of the best service anywhere, especially when it comes to cleanliness, reliability, and punctuality. To get an idea of the magnitude of this, just visit the world’s busiest train station, Shinjuku Station, during rush hour.
My favorite fun fact, however, is the number of lines connecting some of the stations. There are no less than eight parallel lines between Ueno and Nippori stations, all of which are used by local trains.
Tokyo Vending Machines
Then there is the city’s unparalleled density of vending machines. A refreshing soft drink is rarely more than a hundred meters away, no matter where you are. In fact, there is one vending machine for every 50 people in Tokyo. Not surprisingly, hot and cold beverages are by far the most common items. But you can get almost anything from these machines. The selection ranges from manga merchandise to sliced fresh fruit.
If getting food from vending machines is not your thing, Tokyo has you covered. No other place has more Michelin-starred restaurants. With more than 200, it has almost twice as many as the French capital, Paris.
