| Known as Edo until 1868, Tokyo is the capital of Japan. Located at the head of Tokyo Bay, it's the center of a huge metropolitan area, Greater Tokyo, and the largest urban-industrial center in Japan. Port History Edo, the small fishing village, was there for centuries, but it didn� develop into a city until the early 1600s when it became Tokugawa shogunate's capital. But the imperial family stayed in Japan's ancient imperial capital, Kyoto. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 brought an end to the shogunate, and Japan's capital was moved to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo (means �astern capital?. As early as the late 1800s, Tokyo had a population over one million, and it became one of the world's most populated cities in the 20th Century. Metropolitan Tokyo is Japan's largest industrial, commercial, and financial center. Many financial institutions, both foreign and domestic, are headquartered in central Tokyo. It's an important wholesale centre. Light and labor-intensive industries dominate the city, particularly printing, publishing, and electronic equipment manufacturing. Cruising and Travel The Harumi Passenger Ship Terminal in the Port of Tokyo is a convenient terminal with access to many scenic sites in Japan. The Port of Tokyo is in the center of the Japanese archipelago, and tourists can get to Tokyo's sightseeing spots and other popular destinations from east to west across Japan by bullet train, highway, or air. The Port of Tokyo has grown furiously over recent years, and it's now the second largest in Japan in value of trade. Much of the Port of Tokyo's trade also goes through the largest port, Yokohama. The Bureau of Port and Harbor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government administers the port, which is a base for a transportation network covering cities in Japan and overseas. Central in the region, the waterfront forms a Tokyo Bay coastal city axis joining Yokohama, Kawasaki, Chiba, among others. The Port of Tokyo is less than four miles from downtown Tokyo. Tokyo is one of the mot exciting tourist centers in the world. Being the political, economic, and cultural center of Japan, it contains too many attractions to list. But some of the places recommended to tourists include: Imperial Palace National Assembly Deliberation Hall Edo-Tokyo Museum displaying everyday life in Tokyo over centuries Tokyo National Museum holding the best collection of Japanese art in the world Kabukiza Theater featuring 17th-century drama Tsukiji Fish Market, the world's best early morning market Tokyo Disney Resort Akihabara electric town Tokyo Tower, the tallest manmade structure in Japan Tokyo Bay Cruise for gourmet dining Sumida River Cruises Kokugikan Sumo stadium, National Stadium Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office featuring an elevator ride to the sky in 55 seconds Kabukicho pleasure headquarters Rainbow Bridge with wonderful views of the Tokyo waterfront |
