Tokyo the favourite overseas city for American tourists

Tokyo has been chosen as the world’s best big city outside the United States for the third year in a row, leading US travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler reports.

Readers of the magazine cast more than 420,000 votes for their favorite cities in the 2018 poll, the magazine said, with the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto climbing the rankings to second from third the previous year.

“Topping our list of world cities yet again, Tokyo continues to thrill with its contradictions: ultramodern, neon-lit skyscrapers and tranquil temples, unmatchable street style and centuries-old etiquette,” the magazine said, adding that the Japanese capital is also “one of the world’s best food destinations”.

The magazine said Kyoto is “still one of the most well-preserved cities in Japan”. A third Japanese city, Osaka, finished 12th.

Melbourne in Australia, was third, followed by Vienna, Austria, and Hamburg in Germany. Then came Sydney, Singapore, Paris, Barcelona and Vancouver.

That Sydney should finish sixth is amazing given the city core is a complete building site and its public transport is an absolute shambles.