Tokyo was already one of the largest cities in the world in the 18th century, when it was still known as Edo, meaning “estuary”, with a population of over one million. Edo, which evolved from a fishing village into the most important political center of the Japanese Empire, changed its name to Tokyo, meaning “eastern capital”, in 1869, when the seventeen-year-old emperor, Meiji, decided to take up residence there.
Tokyo has preserved much from the Edo period: delightful gardens, fabulous Buddhist temples and Shintoist shrines, and the Imperial Palace, which together with the city’s splendid museums, Noh theaters and Sumo arenas, will help you discover the sophisticated Japanese culture, making every minute you spend here truly unforgettable.
