I just found that Monocle magazine ranked the “World’s Most Livable Cities (Quality Of Life)”.
Their criteria was:
- Safety / low crime
- International connectivity
- Climate
- Quality of architecture
- Public transportation
- Tolerance of others
- Environmental issues and access to nature
- Urban design
- Business conditions
- “Pro-active policy developments” and
- Medical care
Tokyo ranked as the third most livable city in the world.
Their entire Top ten “most livable cities” are:
- Zürich, Switzerland
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Tokyo, Japan
- Munich, Germany
- Helsinki, Finland
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Vienna, Austria
- Paris, France
- Melbourne, Australia
- Berlin, Germany
Tokyo runs like clockwork and its service culture beats any competition.
–Monocle magazine
Personally, I think Tokyo should be number one! Especially in regards to safety, international connectivity, tolerance, access to nature, business conditions, medical care, and public transportation.
All of those are top-notch in Tokyo!
Tokyo Five 
Hmm. I certainly wouldn’t place Tokyo above Munich in this list. Mind you, I lived in Munich for almost 9 years, so maybe I’m a bit biased 🙂
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I’d put Tokyo at #1 🙂
But maybe I’m a bit biased too…I’ve lived here nearly 20 years.
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It’s all subjective really.
I read somewhere that New Delhi has more ‘green’ park space than Tokyo.
It’s not such a child friendly city too. Local governments are always concreting over children’s play areas or closing them down.
I really can’t agree with the medical care criteria. Maybe Tokyo does have the most advanced medical technology. But it must have the worst, most poorly trained doctors for any ‘advanced’ nation. I’ve heard so many horror stories about the doctors and have experienced quite a few bad doctors since living here.
I suppose, to appreciate the beauty of cities, it takes a city lover/dweller. I, myself, much prefer the stress free environment of the suburbs or a rural setting.
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>It’s all subjective really.
Yes. These kinds of ranking lists always are.
>I read somewhere that New Delhi has more ‘green’ park space than Tokyo.
I wouldn’t have imagined that.
>Local governments are always concreting over children’s play areas or closing them down.
My kids have always had plenty of places to play when they were little. And now, my young nieces and nephews do, too.
For a huge metropolis, Tokyo uses it’s space well, I’d say.
>I really can’t agree with the medical care criteria….I’ve heard so many horror stories
As for me, I think the medical staff are all well-trained and professional.
The only thing that I think should be changed is the ambulance service. In Japan, ambulances with a patient in the back remain parked until they get a hospital to accept the patient via the radio.
In America, I believe they just go to the nearest hospital and the can’t be refused.
>I, myself, much prefer the stress free environment of the suburbs or a rural setting.
I grew up in a small town in America…after living in the big city with all of it’s conveniences, I’d never go back.
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Been thinking about the future and I can see myself living in Japan. Just where would I decide. From my trip there two years ago, I preferred Kyoto, but that could change!
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Kyoto is beautiful.
But, to me, Tokyo will always be the best!
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I agree with most of this list, particularly the low crime, medical care, transportation, and connectivity. However, I have no idea how “climate” gets a nod considering that it rains so much and is hot and muggy for so many months of the year. Also, I can’t say I think the urban design is all that great, at least not from an aesthetic point of view. Tokyo is one ugly city by and large and there is only “access to nature” if you consider easily getting on a train and leaving the city to find it reasonable access.
Since this is a comparative list, I’m guessing other cities must be even worse on the nature and climate front!
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>I have no idea how “climate” gets a nod considering that it rains so much and is hot and muggy for so many months of the year.
It’s humid in the summer in Tokyo. And it rains alot during the 梅雨 (“rainy season”)…but in a one year period, Tokyo has alot of beautiful weather!
>Tokyo is one ugly city
Wow. Do you think so? I wonder why!
I have seen a number of big cities in other countries. I think Tokyo is beautiful!
From the neon nights in Shinjuku to the Japanese gardens. It’s unique in the world and gorgeous!
> there is only “access to nature” if you consider easily getting on a train and leaving the city
There’s plenty of nature all over Tokyo!
Shinjuku-gyoen, Yoyogi Koen, Meiji Jingu, and Tama just to name a few places.
I think that I can find a park or Japanese garden within walking distance from almost anywhere in Tokyo!
I looked at your site. It’s very interesting!
How long have you been in Tokyo? What country are you from?
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I’d love to visit Tokyo, Honolulu and anywhere in Australia.
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You should see Tokyo. It’s a unique and amazing place!
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Chicago = #247
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Couldn’t be that bad. 😉
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btw, I love that photo of Toyko. where did you get it?
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It’s Tokyo’s skyline as seen from the Tokyo Tower.
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I agree, I like Tokyo too. Honolulu is beautiful too, it should be in the top 10. I’ve only been there for a day or two, but it was a beautiful place. Syndey was beautiful too, at least when I visited and that was a looong time ago.
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Yes, Tokyo is beautiful.
And I imagine Hawaii and Australia are too.
But this ranking doesn’t consider a city’s beauty, cost of living, or anything except the eleven points I listed above.
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USA 😦
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Actually, the list went to the top 25 cities.
America has one city (Honolulu) rank #11.
Canada has two cities (#14 and #19).
Japan has three cities (#3 (Tokyo), #16, and #22).
The rest of the list:
11. Honolulu, USA
12. Madrid, Spain
13. Sydney, Australia
14. Vancouver, Canada
15. Barcelona, Spain
16. Fukuoka, Japan
17. Oslo, Norway
18. Singapore
19. Montreal, Canada
20. Auckland, New Zealand
21. Amsterdam, Holland
22. Kyoto, Japan
23. Hamburg, Germany
24. Geneva, Switzerland
25. Lisbon, Portugal.
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