by Peter Nelson
All in all, Japan is one amazing country. I was there 3 times, over the period from 1966 to 1975. It’s a glorious place — scenically beautiful, with the most spectacular temples and gardens, delightful food, glorious nightlife, and some of the most vibrant cities on the planet. But because it’s so mountainous, almost ¾ of the country is unsuitable for residential or agricultural use. As a result, the cost of real estate can be spectacular. One square meter in downtown Tokyo is currently going for $2,500. That’s why they build the buildings so tall and skinny!