[MMM]

I don't think there is much more I can add to this thread, but just that Tokyo is not necessarily representative of the rest of Japan. Tokyo is like Los Angeles: a city of people who are from other parts of the country. I agree, people in Tokyo are colder than in other parts of the country, and like I have said to people that ask, you could have two heads and walk down the street in Tokyo and no one will give you a second look.

That doesn't discredit my observation that in other parts of Japan, neighborhoods are more community oriented. I gave examples why I felt that above.

I like Tokyo a lot, there are a lot of great places to see, but if I had to live in Japan again, I can think of many places I'd rather live than Tokyo. The description of Tokyo killyoself gives is part of the reason why.