Brief visitors on Tokyo (1)

I was born and grew up in Tokyo, so did my father. My entire family have lived in the greater metropolitan area, so I have a good sense of Tokyo and how it is positioned there.

From that long-term perspective, let me try briefing people new to Tokyo on the city.

As one can see, Tokyo has many rails run by different companies. JR is the most prestigious and authoritative; other lines are below that, even Toyoko Line which is considered the poshest among them.   

The Yamanote Line and Chuo Line -- as sung in the commercial of Yodobashi Camera "Circlular and green Yamanote Line; going across the center of the circle is Chuo Line" -- are the central nerve of Tokyo and the most important of all JR lines.

Because of this structure, there are only three stations that have both Yamanote and Chuo Lines: Tokyo; Kanda; and Shinjuku and stations. Tokyo Station is the terminal that includes long distant lines going to other parts of Japan. Shinjuku has the world's largest number of users each day (3.47 million). 

Inside the Yamanote Line is premium in terms of real estate value. Within that area, three districts ("ku" -- there are 23 districts in Tokyo, comparable to 20 districts in Paris) namely Chiyoda; Minato; and Chuo are the very heart of central Tokyo. 

Now, one needs to be a bit careful about Minato-ku as it technically includes Konan meaning southern part of port, which is located in the landfill along the Tokyo Bay. The area has warehouses and incinerators, and people separate it from prominent areas in Minato-ku such as Akasaka (meaning red slope); Aoyama (blue mountain); and Roppongi (six trees.) 

As their names indicate, these areas are hilly, and the top of the hills is more upper class than the foot of the hills.