MUSINGS OF A FOREIGNER IN

TOKYO
INTRODUCTION

Tokyo serves as the capital of Japan and is home to the

Emperor of Japan. Located on the east coast of Japan,
next to the Pacific Ocean Tokyo also serves as a major
economic and trade hub in Asia. Tokyo is also the most
populated city in the world. I chose to visit Tokyo to learn
about different cultures, to understand the management
of the city, and to learn about their way of life!

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF JAPAN

Japan is a country that has been colonized and ruled by

many dynasties and different types of government.
Hence Japan is has been influenced by many cultures.
Japan is also a land on which a lot of battles have been
fought. So the Japan that we see today is a melange of
many historical events. From ancient Jōmon tribes and
the rise of emperors to the powerful rule of the samurai
under the shogunate, Japan's political systems evolved
constantly. It isolated itself during the Edo period, only to
open up and modernize rapidly during the Meiji
Restoration. After the devastation of World War II, Japan
rebuilt itself into a peaceful, democratic, and
economically advanced nation—shaped by its diverse
past and global influences. Japan's history is like a
mosaic — shaped by tribal roots, powerful clans,
emperors, shoguns, foreign influence, war, and recovery.
What we see today is a peaceful, high-tech country with
deep cultural pride and lessons from its long, rich past.

Simplified Timeline

🗿 Jōmon & Yayoi (14,000 BCE–300 CE) → 👑 Kofun (300–538) → 🎎 Classical

(538–1185)
Tribes & pottery Rice farming & clans Buddhism & Chinese
culture arrive

→ ⚔️Feudal (1185–1603) → 🏯 Edo (1603–1868) → 🚀 Meiji (1868–1912)

Samurai & shoguns Peaceful isolation Rapid modernization &
Western ideas

→ 🌍 Imperial (1912–1945) → Modern (1945–Today)

War & expansion Peaceful, tech-savvy democracy

LOCATION AND RELIEF

Location of Tokyo:

 Tokyo is located on the eastern coast of Honshu,

Japan’s largest island.
 It lies along the Tokyo Bay, facing the Pacific Ocean.
 Coordinates: Around 35.7° N latitude and 139.7° E
longitude.

Relief of Tokyo:

 Tokyo has mostly flat and low-lying land, especially

in the city center and eastern areas (good for
building and transport).
 The western part has hills and small mountains.
 Some areas are below sea level, protected by flood
barriers.
  The region is part of a tectonically active zone,
so earthquakes are common.

LOCAL LIFE
Tokyo experienced rapid Westernization and
industrialization following the Meiji Restoration and World
War II. As a result, its residents are predominantly
engaged in industrial and commercial occupations.
People in Tokyo mainly eat a diet rich in rice, fish,
vegetables, and soy products, with traditional dishes like
sushi and ramen being popular. Western fast food is also
common, especially among younger generations. Life in
Tokyo is fast-paced, with many working long hours and
relying on efficient public transportation (home to the
largest metro network in the world). Despite this,
residents value cleanliness, respect, and enjoy cultural
festivals and modern leisure activities.

RELIGION AND CULTURE OF JAPAN

Japan has two main religions that are interconnected. The

first one is Buddhism brought by the Chinese to Japan
that worships Gautam Buddha and his teachings. The
second is the indigenous religion of Japan which is
Shintoism. Shintoism teaches us love for nature, respect
for elders, and living a clean, balanced life. They worship
‘Kami’ the sacred spirits found in nature, ancestors, and
all living things. Japanese culture is a unique blend of
deep-rooted traditions and modern innovation. It
values respect, harmony, and cleanliness, with customs
like bowing, tea ceremonies (I participated in one), and
seasonal festivals. Traditional arts such as calligraphy,
origami, kabuki, and martial arts coexist with pop culture
like anime, manga, and high-tech gadgets. Family,
nature, and community play an important role, and
etiquette is deeply respected in daily life.

IMPORTANT PLACES IN TOKYO

Tokyo is home to several important places. It’s home to

many ancient structures for example: The Meiji Jingu
Shrine (a shrine is a place that worships Shintoism) which
is a serene shrine that sits on a huge piece of land and
The Sensoji Temple (worships Buddhism) which is a
temple that’s centuries old and that preceded by a
vibrant street selling unique Japanese Souvenirs leading
up to the magnificent temple.

Tokyo is also home to the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo

Skytree which are towering skyscrapers and the busiest
crosswalk in the world which is the Shibuya Scramble
Square (more commonly known as the Shibuya Crossing).

TOKYO AND JAPAN FROM AN INVESTOR’S

POINT OF VIEW

Tokyo is the largest economic and trade hub of Asia.

The city also has the most expensive real estate
market in the world. Tokyo is a mature market. With
 that said it will still continue to grow because of
increasing demand. It’s a great place for investors
seeking stability. The main Japanese stock market is
the Tokyo Stock Exchange which is self regulated.
The main index of Japan is Nikkei 225 which
comprises of the top 225 public companies in Japan
and has delivered an average of around 8-10%
returns over the past five years. The major upcoming
sectors are:

1. Technology – Japan leads in robotics,

semiconductors, and automation, driving future
global tech demand.
2. Automobiles – Strong EV and hybrid innovation from
brands like Toyota positions Japan well for green
transport.
3. Healthcare – An aging population boosts demand for
medical services, devices, and pharmaceuticals.
4. Consumer Goods – High domestic spending and
global love for Japanese brands make this sector
strong.
5. Renewable Energy – Japan’s green transition
supports rapid growth in clean and sustainable
energy.
6. Financial Services – Digital banking and fintech are
modernizing Japan’s large financial industry.

In short Japan and Tokyo are great places to invest in if

you chase stable returns. However Japan has an aging
population and it’s decreasing hence it could slow down
the economy. So beware of that.
WHAT FASCINATED ME MOST ABOUT
TOKYO AND JAPAN

Japan was a country unlike any I had been to earlier. A lot

of things in Japan fascinated me. However if I had to pick
one singular thing it would be the Japanese way of life. I
was in awe of the simplicity, the discipline, efficiency, the
high civic sense and the culture of the Japanese people.

CONCLUSION
Japan is a country where ancient traditions blend
seamlessly with cutting-edge technology. Its capital,
Tokyo, reflects this harmony through its modern skyline,
rich culture, and efficient lifestyle. From the peaceful
shrines to the bustling city streets, Japan truly offers a
unique and unforgettable experience.

A STORY ABOUT
RESILIENCE
INTRODUCTION
Japan is an archipelago in East Asia hat comprises of over
10,000 islands. However there main islands that house
most of Japan’s population. The Pacific Ocean, the Sea of
Okhotsk, the Sea of Japan, and the East China Sea
surround the Japanese Archipelago. Japan is also a
tectonically active zone as it lies at the conjunction of 4
tectonic plates. Japan’s geography is unique and has
shaped not just the land but the lives of it’s inhabitants as
well!

VOLCANOES AND THE RING OF FIRE

Japan is a tectonically active zone as it lies at the
conjunction of 4 tectonic plates which are:

1. The Pacific Plate

2. The Philippine Sea Plate
3. The Eurasian Plate
4. North American Plate

These plates move hence because of subduction

volcanoes are formed in this region. The tallest and the
most popular volcano of Japan is Mount Fuji. Mt. Fuji is
known for it’s almost symmetrical shape and is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Mt. Fuji also an active volcano that
last started erupting on December 16, 1707 and ended
erupting on February 24, 1708. The Japanese
Archipelago is also part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The
Ring of Fire is home to 75% of the world's volcanoes and
90% of its earthquakes. The Ring of Fire is a roughly
25,000-mile chain of volcanoes and seismically active
sites that outline the Pacific Ocean. Japan house 111
active volcanoes today.

NATURAL DISASTERS IN JAPAN

Japan is a country that has been affected by countless
natural disasters as it’s in the Ring of Fire. 2 out of the
top 5 most expensive and deadly natural disasters have
taken place in Japan. Japan receives upwards of 1500
earthquakes every year. Some important disasters that
have occurred in Japan are:

1. The 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake was an

earthquake of magnitude 7.9 on the Ritcher Scale
that killed 105,000 – 140,000 people.
2. The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
was caused by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake
undersea that killed 20,000 people.
3. The 1959 Ise Bay Typhoon was the deadliest typhoon
in Japan’s history killing over 5,000 people.
4. The 2018 Japan floods were caused because of heavy
downpour leading to widespread flooding and
resulted in 200 deaths.
5. The 1792 Mount Unzen Eruption and accompanying
Landslide/Tsunami was a highly destructive volcanic
 event. A series of eruptions from Mount Unzen in May
1792 led to a collapse of a lava dome, triggering a
massive landslide that flowed into the Ariake Sea.
This landslide generated a huge tsunami.

HOW GEOGRAPHY HAS SHAPED CULTURE

Japan’s geography has massively shaped Japanese
culture. It has shaped its:

1. Religious Beliefs: The indigenous religion of Japan

which is Shintoism worships nature. They consider
anything that has kami (spirit) in it sacred. Shintoism
worships mountains (Mt. Fuji, Mt. Ontake, and the
three sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan) ancient
pilgrimage sites and people climb these mountains
as spiritual journeys to connect with the divine.
Another way geography has shaped Japan’s religious
beliefs is thanks it’s abundance in volcanic hot
springs leading to Onsen Culture that has connection
to Shinto purification practices. The destructive yet
fertile nature of volcanoes (eruptions bringing
disaster, but ash enriching soil) might have
contributed to the Shinto emphasis on the cyclical
nature of life, death, and renewal, and the powerful,
sometimes impulsive or unaccountable changes of
mood, of the kami.
2. Agriculture: Since Japan is a mountainous region it
has limited flat land for agriculture leading to the
 Japanese farming rice which can be grown in a small
area but produces high yield.
3. Maritime Culture: Since Japan is surrounded by water
bodies sea food and fishing are central to the
Japanese diet and economy. Another way Japan’s
water bodies have influenced Japanese culture is by
allowing people from nearby countries sail to Japan
and bring a piece of their culture or ideas. For
example: Buddhism was brought to Japan from
China.
4. Disaster Readiness: Since Japan is a tectonically
active zone. Natural Disasters are common which has
lead to better preparedness amongst the Japanese
People from Earthquake Prone buildings to children
being equipped with tools they can use to survive if a
disaster occurs.

CONCLUSION: JAPAN A LAND THAT

RISES AGAIN
The resilience of the Japanese people is inspirational.
Despite losing so much and facing so much tragedy
they still they still rise from the ashes, stronger and
more determined than ever!