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History & Evolution
The present day Tokyo was founded in the 12th century as the village of Edo (also Yedo or Yeddo) when a local warlord, Edo Taro Shigenada built a fort there. The city started off as an insignificant little fishing village, which was fertile and rich and due to this reason exchanged hands between various rulers from 1300s to 1700s.

The official year of the foundation of Tokyo is considered to be 1457 when the ruler of Dokan Ota built the first castle on the site. But it was during 1600 that Tokyo actually became a power center under the reign of a powerful Shogun, Ieyasu of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The family of Shogunate kept on ruling the country for more than 250 years, until 1867 and this was the period actually called as Edo era when people lived in peace.

During this period, American general Perry came over to Japan demanding Edo government to open the country that had been closed long against foreign countries. This started the Meiji restoration in 1868, marking the end of Tokugawa shogunate and restoration of imperial rule. The Emperor moved to Edo and renamed it as Tokyo, which thus became the capital of Japan.

During this Meiji Period (1868-1912) receiving its official name, Tokyo continued to develop as a commercial, administrative and social center and began its rapacious absorption of Western civilization. From 1912-1945 came the period of Taisho and Showa that saw further development of the city. Nothing seemed to stop the modernization during this era, but in September 1923, Great Kanto Earthquake broke down the city destroying most of it. Soon followed the war with the United States in which Tokyo was air-bombed nearly 130 times reducing its population about the half.

In 1947 the new constitution came into effect and in 1952, American GHQ (general headquarters) left Tokyo and Japan regained its sovereignty.

The economic boom during 1980's created an economic bubble in Japan when the prices went sky high and it seemed impossible for an average citizen to buy a house in Tokyo. But this bubble soon got burst in the next decade and 90’s in Japan were called "a decade lost". But soon with the arrival of the 21st century, signs of recovery started to show at last and today Tokyo is trying to open a new phase, as a true international city.

Site-Seeing
Tokyo is largely considered as a hard-core concrete jungle with high-rise skyscrapers and industries, but beneath this concrete shell is a cultural life left very much intact.

It is in fact the best place in the world to experience Japanese performing arts, crafts, first-class unique museums and range of other diverse activities.

This huge city is has multiple centers of shopping and entertainment to lure the visitors in every way. On the other hand, Tokyo is an exciting cosmopolitan city with probably the best restaurants of any major city in the world.

Imperial Palace:
Standing on a huge on the very spot where Edo Castle used to stand during the days of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japan’s Imperial Palace is the heart and soul of Tokyo. The present palace, which was completed in 1888, is still home to the emperor of Japan.

Though the palace remain close for the visitors most of the time but its grounds and surrounds comprising of Higashi Gyoen (East Garden) remains open to the public. Its only on special days like 2 January and 23 December each year that visitors are able to enter the inner grounds and see the Imperial family make public appearances from the balcony. Guided tours of the palace are also offered at this time.

The Imperial Palace was destroyed during air raids in 1945 which was then rebuilt in 1968 using strictly the principles of traditional Japanese architecture.

Location: Hibiya Dori Ave

Edo Tokyo Museum:
Edo was the old name for Tokyo from its foundation in 1590 and thus, the Edo Tokyo Museum is dedicated to the city’s history, art, culture and architecture through the medium of visual displays.

The Exhibits of the museum include a replica of an ancient Kabuki theatre, maps, photographs and portrayals of the lives of the city’s merchants, craftsmen and townspeople of ancient Japan.

It is said that the building housing this museum resembles a rice granary when viewed from afar but to some it also looks like a modern Torii (the entrance gate to a shrine).

Location: Yokoami, Sumida-ku

Sensoji Temple:
Founded in 628 AD, Sensoji is city’s oldest temple with a peculiar legend attached to it. The legend has it that two young brothers while fishing netted a golden image of Kannon (the Buddhist goddess of mercy) that was then enshrined in the temple.

Besides this, the temple also has numerous festivals associated with it together with a hugely popular firework display on the Sumida River every summer.

Attracting more tourists is the colourful pedestrian lane leading to the temple, which is lined with shops and souvenir stalls. Further the Demboin Garden is a good spot to grab a break from the city crowd.

Location: Asakusa Taito-ku, Shitamachi

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices (Tokyo Tocho):
Designed by one of Japan's top architects, Kenzo Tange, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices are recognized both for their extraordinary architecture and free observation decks on the 45th floor.

The offices consist of two monumental towers and a Metropolitan Assembly Building making an impressive addition to the skyline of west Shinjuku. Together these buildings contain everything from Tokyo's Disaster Prevention Center to the governor's office. Whereas, the 48-story, 240m (800 ft) high twin towers boasts two observatories which can be reached by high-speed elevators offering a spectacular views of Tokyo and on clear winter days you can even see Mount Fuji.

Location: Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku

Shinjuku Gyoen:
One of the loveliest gardens in Japan, Shinjuku Gyoen ironically is situated in the heart of Tokyo’s one of the most crowded, busy and bustling areas. Originally the gardens of a family of feudal lords, Shinjuku today is a public park sprawled over 150 acres.

Not just a traditional Japanese garden, it also incorporates English and French-style gardens and a greenhouse bursting with tropical flowers. Further, it’s medley of pathways, artificial hills, ponds and bridges with close to 3000 types of plants, trees and shrubs makes its a breathtaking garden.

The garden looks at its best during the spring season with its cherry blossoms and flowers of around 1900 and in autumn when the chrysanthemum exhibition is held.

Location: Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku