Organized Chaos

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Geo: 35.6895, 139.692 - Tokyo (Shinjuku)

So how do thirteen million people live in almost perfect harmony? I can't quite get my head around it but in Tokyo they somehow manage it as far as I can see. Having spent a few days in and out of multiple subway and train stations I think I understand to a certain extent. Of course I am far from an expert having only been here for a very short period of time but I am intrigued and therefore have thought about how it can possibly work.

At any given moment there are hundreds of people at every rail station but it works. Pretty much everyone follows the rules. Keeping to the left or paying the correct fare or not talking on your phone for example. Most people are polite and courteous. It therefore allows for all these commuters to pass through with hundreds of different itineries and agendas but all in harmony. Its mind boggling how there can be so many platforms, corridors and exits with all these people moving successfully in all these different directions. You could spend half an hour just trying to get out of a single subyway station. Yes that was me!

I see the rail station scenario as an analogy for how the city functions. Everyone moving separately yet working together towards a single outcome. What is that desired outcome? Happiness and prosperity I guess. So this city of thirteen million functions in harmony because most people follow the rules.

Of course its not all perfect. There are a small majority of non conformers and residents who don't fit that outcome. For the first time yesterday I saw a group of homeless people. I also saw a couple of instances of littering and rubbish that was out of control. Granted it was at a food and wine festival so there was an extraordinary amount of litter. And there was about five guys rushing around trying to clean it up as it was clearly unacceptable.

I don't think I could live in such a large city regardless of how well it works. I could certainly have stayed here a bit longer though. I spent a very relaxed day on my own here just taking in the sights and sounds. While my travelling companions were absorbed in technology and electronics I just wandered. On a fine and sunny summer Saturday there is so much to see and do.

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Comments

[Jenny]

So beutiful

[Jenny]

Feel sick looking at this, some fun ride thing .?

[andjulbed]

Roller coaster, very popular in Japan. The one at Kawaguchiko held the record for the longest until recently.