A space for reflection
I visited Tokyo in 2023 for the first time. What I noticed immediately was how courteous people were. Interactions were quiet, respectful, and efficient, even in crowded places. It is not something easily quantified, but it shapes the experience in a way that becomes apparent very quickly.
Tokyo is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, with a population of roughly 37 million people. That scale makes what follows all the more striking.
The sheer volume of passengers moving through Shibuya Station is remarkable. With its M-shaped roof spanning a 12-meter-wide platform and no columns in sight, the space feels open and fluid. Watching the endless flow of commuters was like seeing something carefully choreographed, yet it unfolded entirely naturally. Modern, clean, and quiet, the station says a great deal about Japanese culture—orderly, considerate, and deeply efficient—in the best possible way.