Tokyo

Overview

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, sprawls across the southwestern Kanto region at the head of Tokyo Bay. Formerly the city of Edo, it was renamed Tokyo, meaning Eastern Capital, in 1868 and has since grown into a colossal metropolis where politics, economy and culture converge. Centered on 23 special wards such as Chiyoda, Shinjuku and Shibuya, it layers skyscrapers over old downtown districts, and imperial greenery beside cutting-edge commercial quarters.

Highlights

• ●Chiyoda and its neighbors, home to the Imperial Palace and the National Diet
• ●The contrast between administrative Shinjuku and trend-driven Shibuya
• ●Sweeping views from Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in the world
• ●A dense rail network led by the Ginza Line, Asia's oldest subway, opened in 1927

History

Edo rose to prominence in 1603 as the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate, and by the mid-18th century had grown from a fishing village into one of the world's largest cities, with more than a million residents. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 moved the imperial capital here from Kyoto, and the city was renamed Tokyo. Devastated by the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake and wartime air raids, it rebuilt rapidly after the war and in 1964 became the first Asian city to host the Summer Olympics.

Map

35.6839, 139.7744 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Stroll the Imperial Palace grounds and Marunouchi, then admire the red-brick Tokyo Station
2. 2At midday head toward the old downtown or Asakusa to sample long-established eateries
3. 3In the afternoon ascend Tokyo Skytree for a panorama over the Kanto plain
4. 4From evening move to the Shinjuku and Shibuya districts to feel the city's nocturnal energy

Did you know?

💡 The name Tokyo combines the characters for east and capital, translating literally as Eastern Capital. The city center lies at about 49 meters elevation, and the ward area covers roughly 619 square kilometers.

Nearby spots