> But Tokyo infrastructure felt basically as old as NYC infrastructure to me In part because it is, most of Tokyo's major subway lines were built in the 1960s

> But Tokyo infrastructure felt basically as old as NYC infrastructure to me In part because it is, most of Tokyo's major subway lines were built in the 1960s to 1970s. Ginza line was built before WW1 and was the first subway in Asia. The highways were all built soon after the war too. Thus part of the issue is age. Japan stabilized much sooner than Korea and built up faster. A bigger component though is Japan's preference to build new then let sit. Maintenance for visual reasons is rare. Thus combined with the high humidity stuff rusts and molds. You can see rust on iron beams waiting at the JR platform in Shibuya! Literal rust on one of the most high traffic stations in the world with gleaming skyscrappers as your backdrop. In part Japan feels like a retired country. All the heavy lifting has been done. The mortgage paid. I joke with friends we are young people in an old country. Everything around us is going into the night, and we are just now waking up. I like it, but I can see why others would prefer a newer country.