11 quotes that sum up Tokyo and Japan perfectly

'If I had to eat only in one city for the rest of my life, Tokyo would be it.'

Bourdain was famous for his writing and travel documentaries exploring international cuisine and culture.

'Working in Tokyo has convinced me that, contrary to what people think, it is actually one of the world's most beautiful cities.'

Ando’s most famous buildings include Omotesando Hills in Tokyo and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation in Missouri.

'If you go to Tokyo, I think it becomes very obvious that there's this almost seamless mixture of popular culture and Japanese traditional culture.'

Ishiguro is a Japanese-British author famous for ‘The Remains of the Day’ and ‘Never Let Me Go’.

'Tokyo seems the least designed of capitals, not so much contrived as naturally grown.'

Richie was an American-born writer, who helped to popularise Japanese cinema in the West.

'More than any other city, Tokyo demonstrates that "city" is a verb and not a noun.'

Mori is a Japan-born, US-based architect who worked on the New York University Master Plan.

'When I considered the destruction of the earth, I felt I'd deal with it when I saw it happening, but when I thought of losing Shimokitazawa, I felt real fear.'

A quote from the English translation of Yoshimoto’s 2010 novel ‘Moshi-Moshi’.

'What they have done in Japan, which I find so inspirational, is they've brought the toilet out from behind the locked door. They've made it conversational.'

George is a British journalist and advocate for improving sanitation around the world.

'Japan is the only country I know where a flower can bring an entire nation to a state of near-sexual excitement.'

Muller is a Swiss writer and documentarian. This is a quote from her book ‘Japanland: A Year in Search of Wa’.

'In Japanese culture, there is a belief that God is everywhere – in mountains, trees, rocks, even in our sympathy for robots or Hello Kitty toys.'

Sakamoto is a Japanese composer and pianist, most famous as a member of electronic band Yellow Magic Orchestra.

'There are so many more people in Tokyo than in New York, but it's pristine. It's so organized, and yet the address system is in complete chaos.'

Wooster is an American fashion designer and consultant who has worked with retail chain JCPenny and Italian fashion house Lardini.

'Living right in the heart of Tokyo itself is quite like living in the mountains – in the midst of so many people, one hardly sees anyone.'

A quote from the English translation of Tsushima’s celebrated short story ‘The Watery Realm’.