Townscape of Tokyo

Photo taken at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, 45F North Observatory

When you look at the view of Tokyo from the Tokyo Sky Tree,  you will see that Tokyo is gigantic, but the townscape is so messy.  

 Many people are living in a tiny plot of land in a crowded neighborhood in central Tokyo. Tokyo is a home to about 13 million people and it is really congested.  

 After WWII, the Japanese government has implemented policies designed to prioritize economic growth at the expense of the landscape.  Tokyo is a chaotic patchwork-like urban commercial area. 

 The flow of people into Tokyo is increasing, with 64,000 (+2,695 YoY) in 2014.  More young couples and families are choosing to dwell in a small household or a flat near the city center than a bigger suburban home. 

 Thus the townscape is different from the western cities, where the look of the town is pretty and uniformed. The uptown area in Tokyo is well organized and pretty, but Tokyo as a whole, is messy. Despite the size and congestion, everything goes quite efficiently and some like a messy downtown area in Tokyo.  

 The reconstruction projects are under way to amend the city towards 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. At least we would expect that utility pole placed underground, and all the advertising signs are taken away.