"Tokyo -- A City that Grows on You" a Tokyo Travel Page by AKtravelers

I like Tokyo. I couldn't always say that, but the city grows on you after you visit it several times and find its small pleasures. With its sheer size, dense crowds and indecipherable (for me) signs, Tokyo can be intimidating if you let it. But instead of looking at Tokyo as one big mass of urbanity, I suggest thinking of it as several towns and cities (some small, some not) that have gradually merged into a glob of humanity, concrete and neon. Then you can divide the city in chunks and enjoy it leisurely.
The favorite chunks for most tourists are also my favorite as well. I love Asakusa for its old Edo feeling (something you can't find anywhere in a city that was flattened 60 years ago), Shinjuku for its lights, Shibuya for its energy and Ueno for its museums. But everytime I return to Tokyo I'm reminded how much I like it no matter where I am.

Though the city is loud, bright and bustling, its residents are still Japanese. And the Japanese do appreciate quiet places, so ever corner of Tokyo has a park or place of repose where one can escape the madness. Often, these places are small religious shrines, which are definitely worth a visit. But Tokyo has some great parks and gardens that deserve your attention. My favorite is Yoyogi Park, which not only hasspace for relaxation, but also -- every Sunday -- plays hosts to numerous local rock bands and performers who busk for your entertainment (though you should throw them a coin or two if you appreciate their effort).
When you wander around Tokyo's neighborhoods, you forget you are in one of the world's great cities -- but you never forget you're in Japan. Everything is on a smaller scale -- actually, a smaller scale than most westerners are used to. Here the pace is slower.

Tokyo is quite likely the most modern city in the world, with high-tech gadgets everywhere. This makes the city a fascinating place to wander around in. Even if you do nothing touristy, you'll be regaled by high-definition video advertisements, notice that almost every vehicle has a dashboard computer, be informed by traffic-monitoring screens on the highways and watch people pay for purchases by waving their cellphones at the cash register. And you may be totally confused by the toilets. All of this activity will be accompanied by the same ubiquitous high-pitched sing-songy female voice responding "arigato gozaimisu" or some other equally-polite phrase. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with it all and you may feel like -- even as an American -- like you come from a Third World country. Happily, when your energy sags, there's always a Starbuck's around every corner to pep you up and keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
At t he same time, Tokyo tries desperately to hang onto some of its past despite the relenless modernizing crush. You see this by the scores of traditionally-dressed women attending events around town and feel it at the timeless temples and shrines. Yet don't expect much of old Japan in Tokyo -- fire-bombing in World War II reduced much of the city to charred rubble, so anything older than 1945 is rare.