| Japan as a haven for children is an exaggeration, at last in Tokyo. Sure, we can see young children take the train and walk to school - but it is not common to see that. In 12 years of living in Tokyo (Nakano-ku mostly), I didn't see that very often. It might be more common in smaller parts of the country or for very specific use cases. My two elder daughters went to kindergarten while I lived there. Their teacher walked to a spot near our house, where we took the kids, and then they walked together to school. They always had adult supervision. (Some parents would also take their kids by bike to school). Japanese people have their own security concerns. Japanese schools have large walls and closed off school yards because the locals have their own safety concerns for children. (I believe there was a famous stabbing incident that led to that, but don't recall the details) It should be clear that Japanese parks (at least in Tokyo) are actively hostile to children. Playing with balls, for example, is completely banned in many parks in Tokyo. Free parks are more for the old and enfeebled than for the young; silver democracy at its worst. In my case, at least, my children are more free in Calgary than they were in Tokyo. |
It seems we've had completely different experiences. Through shibuya/yoyogi area, I pass a half dozen parks (kids are playing double dutch, soccer, pitching baseballs), 2 rec sports field and countless kids of all ages walking alone or with friends. Not to mention the preschool children being wheeled around in those huge laundry carts.
Often topics on here and reddit become "Which place is best?" but I don't think that way. I'm happy for you and your family's move to Calgary, and have no doubt it's better for your kids.
Compared to when I lived in the bay area (and then rural America before that), it's a stark contrast and I appreciate any city that where most people can feel safe walking around just about anywhere, whether that's Calgary or Tokyo.
I usually chime in with Tokyo talk not say "yay Japan is the best!" but rather "America deserve at least a little better than it's getting."