Latest update:11 December 2025 at 10:41 PM IST

Coming from Japan, where traffic flows predictably and car horns are rare, the CEO found himself adapting to Bengaluru’s improvised road culture and instead of complaining, he embraced it

He’s joked about developing “superhuman reflexes” thanks to encounters with vehicles and even cows appearing from unexpected directions. (Image: Wikipedia)

Bengaluru has once again attracted global attention after a now-viral LinkedIn post described India’s Silicon Valley as “without a doubt, the best city in the world”, with a sharp criticism of its notorious traffic. The post highlights what many residents already believe, which is that the city’s charm outweighs the challenges of daily commuting.

Tsuyoshi Ito, the Japanese CEO, lives in Bengaluru and has become enamored with its famously pleasant weather. He describes the city’s climate as “simply unbeatable”, comparing it to that of “Hawaii…but without the ocean”, a phrase he often uses to introduce Bengaluru to Japanese professionals hesitant to visit India.

Only those who actually live in the city, he writes, truly understand its appeal—from its dry, crisp air to what he describes as its “climate of eternal spring and summer.” However, there is one thing that continues to test his patience, and that is the “absolutely ridiculous” traffic.

Ito mocks his own learning curve. Coming from Japan, where traffic flows predictably and car horns are rare, he found himself quickly adapting to Bengaluru’s improvised road culture. Instead of complaining, embrace it. He bought a Maruti Suzuki and decided to hit the city roads, navigate through congestion, navigate intersections with confidence, and master the horn, an instrument he had barely touched at home.

“In India, the horn is much more useful than the accelerator, especially in Bangalore,” he wrote, summing up the unique rhythm of the city’s roads. He’s joked about developing “superhuman reflexes” thanks to encounters with vehicles and even cows appearing from unexpected directions. He says he never had these experiences in Japan, yet he speaks about them now with a sense of pride and amusement.

He ended his post on a cheerful note, embracing the quirks of his chosen city and signing off with the unmistakable Hindi phrase, “Horn OK Please.”

The post has struck a chord with Bengaluru residents and expats, many of whom recognize the humor in its take on the city’s climate, culture and famously chaotic ways. “So happy to see such kind words about my city Bangalore! Lately, there has been a lot of negative talk…traffic, language, etc., but nothing can really spoil this beautiful city!” One user replied.

Another added: “Driving here is the perfect crash course in situational awareness. You learn priority, negotiation and accurate decision-making in real time. These skills carry over further down the road.”

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Only those who actually live in the city, he writes, truly understand its appeal—from its dry, crisp air to what he describes as its “climate of eternal spring and summer.” However, there is one thing that continues to test his patience, and that is the “absolutely ridiculous” traffic.

Ito mocks his own learning curve. Coming from Japan, where traffic flows predictably and car horns are rare, he found himself quickly adapting to Bengaluru’s improvised road culture. Instead of complaining, embrace it. He bought a Maruti Suzuki and decided to hit the city roads, navigate through congestion, navigate intersections with confidence, and master the horn, an instrument he had barely touched at home.

“In India, the horn is much more useful than the accelerator, especially in Bangalore,” he wrote, summarizing the unique rhythm of the city’s roads. He’s joked about developing “superhuman reflexes” thanks to encounters with vehicles and even cows appearing from unexpected directions. He says he never had these experiences in Japan, yet he speaks about them now with a sense of pride and amusement.

He ended his post on a cheerful note, embracing the quirks of his chosen city and signing off with the unmistakable Hindi phrase, “Horn OK Please.”

The post has struck a chord with Bengaluru residents and expats, many of whom recognize the humor in its take on the city’s climate, culture and famously chaotic ways. “So happy to see such kind words about my city Bangalore! Lately, there has been a lot of negative talk…traffic, language, etc., but nothing can really spoil this beautiful city!” One user replied.

Another added: “Driving here is the perfect crash course in situational awareness. You learn priority, negotiation and accurate decision-making in real time. These skills carry over further down the road.”

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