The culture and history of Japan is one of the oldest and richest in the world, and its capital city, Tokyo, seems to be in constant battle with itself, combining the immense bulk of Japanese tradition with the hyper speed of modern day commerce. When I traveled to Japan, I had no choice but to spend at least a few days in the city, perspiring in the humidity and admiring the colossal mass of people that sifts constantly down gigantic thoroughfares on foot, in vehicles and on bicycles, interweaving with buildings so tall that the tops seem to touch the clouds.