I not sure that I fell in love with Tokyo, but I did fall in love with the Japanese people. I don’t think that I’ve been anywhere else where it is the people that dominate, not the place. 

The Japanese have a quiet level of sophistication and a refreshing amount of uniformity that makes the place run like clockwork without any wasted energy or stress. It is on the metro that this reveals itself most strongly. There are two lanes going everywhere and people quietly stay in their lane. Platforms, trains and stations are so clearly marked, numbered and colour coded making everything so easy, and on top of that every announcement is made in impeccable English. The ultimate reveal though is the orderly queues that form at the bottom of escalators and two queues either side of train doors. No pushing, shoving, no,’ I’m in a bigger hurry than you’ or, ‘I’m more important than you’. I simply love these people.

I also love that as a country, and a people, they have a style all of their own. Clothes are smart, neat, shoes polished, outfits colour coordinated and they carry smart handbags and computer cases. As I say, really sophisticated. At the same time there are the mad young girls that dress like school children, short skirts, long socks and high platforms. Mad, but so much fun. They add a rare sparkle to the calm uniformity and yet seemingly ignored. No scorn or mocking, just ignored..

Now on a Shinkensen, Bullet Train heading south to Nagoya. The train will cover the 215 miles in 1.5 hours going at a top speed 225 miles/hour. A trip that, when a new straight track is built with 70 percent of the track underground, the Maglev train on the line will, at 361 miles/ hour cover the same distance in 40 minutes. Nor is this Maglev train a newby. Now in service since 2003. These people leave us for dead, really ! They have a drive, determination and knowledge that is so advanced. What a brilliant nation and a reminder for me that collective working can achieve more remarkable things.