the Tokyo Complex

Every great metropolitan city has it's loyal fans. There are those of us who flock to big city living for a chance at a fast-paced style in place that is like an open oyster with many pearls. From fashion to fame, best rated restaurants and international savoir faire, these caliber cities are the mecca of all one could want from life. In it's populated streets and overcrowded transportation, people feel a convenience they couldn't find elsewhere. Big cities have an acclaim, a limelight that never dims if you harness it's energy.

So, what would behoove a worldly, cosmopolitan city-goer to think that there was anywhere else in the world left to see, since of course, where they are has it all. Cities such as New York, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Paris and Singapore command an inherent allegiance because of its stature as a culturally diverse beacon of the world's best offerings. Often with such exaltation and air of sophistication comes equal antagonism.

Many often feel that this metropolitan rat race is too hefty of a price to pay for a seeming lap of luxury. The convenience found in global cuisine and high powered jobs are more than willing to be traded for a more subdued lifestyle that adorns smaller cities with less international street cred.

Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world and with it comes those who believe Japan offers nothing greater beyond the boundaries of the Tokyo wards. Yet, take a believer out of his prized patch of Japanese city allure and allow him to see the other 46 prefectures. Temples aplenty, abounding natural hot springs, mountainous land and a local ocean breeze.

Venturing over to Kansai, Tokyo devotees see a simpler style of life, but lacking nonetheless in big cities and cultural energy. With Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, city life can be divided around the area and each seen with a different appeal. Osaka brings the grit, Kyoto the tradition and Kobe the class. In between are smaller cities that are easily accessible by train and each have a distinct feel and a warmth about the people that is often lost amongst the clutter of a big city.

Of course, the razzle dazzle of the big city can charm you with a weekend away, but for practical living, perhaps venturing to the less likely cities will provide a different appeal that will allow a more relaxed lifestyle and a chance to see a side of Japan that is just that--Japanese.