To explore Tokyo you need more time then to explore some countries. Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Crossing, Akihabara are well-known locations, but as usual we wandered everywhere, so we were able to try out interesting little restaurants where there was no chance of finding English-speaking servers. In the endless row of shops in Akihabara, you can buy enough manga for a lifetime, but video game and anime lovers can also get lost for hours browsing the offerings of each shop. If you want a coffee or a cookie, then a typically Japanese Maid Cafe or a hedgehog petting tea shop are also a good choice.
The history of Tokyo is one of the most spectacular in world history, as it grew from an insignificant fishing village to the largest metropolis on the planet.
The city was originally called Edo and did not play a significant role in Japanese life until the end of the 16th century. The turning point came in 1603, when the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu established the seat of his military government here. Although the emperor continued to reside in Kyoto, the real power was transferred to Edo. During the two and a half centuries of the Tokugawa era, the city began to grow incredibly, and by the 18th century it had become one of the most populous cities in the world, with over a million inhabitants.
The modern era began in 1868, when the shogunate collapsed and the emperor moved his capital from Kyoto to this city. The city was then renamed Tokyo, which means Eastern Capital. This was the beginning of rapid westernization and industrialization, with brick buildings, railways, and modern utilities replacing the old wooden structures.
However, the 20th century presented the city with enormous challenges. In 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake almost leveled the city, and towards the end of World War II, devastating incendiary bombings caused indescribable damage. However, the resilience of Japan and Tokyo is well demonstrated by the fact that after both tragedies, it rebuilt at record speed. The 1964 Olympics already presented the international community with one of the most advanced, high-tech cities in the world.
Today, Tokyo is a city of contrasts, where skyscrapers and ultra-modern technology are interspersed with quiet Shinto shrines and carefully tended parks. Its economic, financial, and cultural influence is undeniable, while it has managed to preserve the discipline and politeness that characterized the people living here since its founding in the Edo period.
