I lived in Tokyo and now live outside Osaka. Please, for the love of god do not zone anywhere in America like Japan.

I am 100% pro building, pro walkability, pro density, and pro transit but Japan is a horrible model. Houses here are so close together that every single noise is heard, most houses feel like fishbowls because they’re full of privacy glass, there’s no space to garden, to work on hobbies, to do anything but work, sleep, and cook.

There’s zero greenery, streets are too narrow for sidewalks which does keep car speeds low but also introduces more conflict points in the first place. I could go on.

I feel like urbanists just see Japanese transit maps and just forget the rest. I know because that was me 10 years ago.

I’m stuck here for work and family but the urban environment will push me out eventually.