In celebration of Tokyo’s winning bid as the host of the 2020 Olympics, CNN rounds up 50 reasons why "the city from the future just got even cooler."
Huge celebrations broke out across Tokyo over the weekend with news that the iconic city was chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the 2020 Summer Games.
Not convinced they made the right choice?
These 50 reasons Tokyo is the world's best city might sway your vote.
1. The world's most sophisticated railways
With 13 subway lines and more than 100 surface routes run by Japan Railways and other private companies, Tokyo's railway system seems like it was designed to win world records.
It's rare to find a location in the metropolitan area that can’t be reached with a train ride and a short walk.
2. The Emperor will see you now
Visit the Imperial Palace on December 23 or January 2, and you’ll see something impressive: its owner.
Emperor Akihito and family make a twice-yearly public appearance at the Inner Palace grounds for the monarch’s birthday and a New Year’s greeting.
If you’re tall enough, you’ll be able to glimpse the man-god himself amid a sea of Rising Sun flag-wavers.
3. Tongue-gasmic food porn
You could spend hours drooling over the elaborate pastries and picture-perfect sushi rolls at department store Isetan’s super-stylish depachika, a massive basement food court .
Square watermelons and ¥50,000 matsutake mushrooms are displayed with gallery-like reverence.
Other highlights: eat-in counters run by some of Tokyo’s snazziest restaurants and free samples of food and booze on weekends.
4. Street crossings are like a battle scene from "Braveheart"
The scramble street crossing outside of Shibuya Station is easily the world's busiest, with a thousand people running into the middle of the street, weaving together in a huge organic mass.
The scramble perfectly summarizes the essence of Tokyo's true tourist landmarks: not old buildings, but lots and lots people coming together in celebration of culture.
See the action outside the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station.
5. Youth fashion stores by the hundreds
There are countless independent fashion boutiques in the Harajuku area -- all dedicated to generally insane forms of youth fashion.
If you count adjacent Shibuya, Omotesando and Aoyama into the region, you have the world's largest fashion district: featuring basically every single major designer brand in the world.
Herve Sedky is a seasoned traveler who immerses
himself in the local culture of the various places he visits. Read more tales about traveling here.
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