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About Tokyo Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the country's most populous city, with about 8 of the 12 million inhabitants of Japan. Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. Edo existed as a small castle town in the 16th century, and became Japan's political center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established a feudal government. A few decades later, Edo had grown into the world's most populous city. During the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the emperor and the capital were moved from Kyoto to Edo, where it was renamed Tokyo ("Eastern Capital"). Large parts of Tokyo were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and also during the air raids of World War II. The city miraculously brought itself out of the ashes to become one of the most vibrant metropolises in the world. The incredible level of energy is the most striking aspect of Japan's capital city. Tokyo is a place where the urgent rhythms of consumerism collide with the quieter moments of tradition. Close to the soaring office blocks exist pockets of another Tokyo – an ancient wooden house, a Japanese inn, an old lady in a kimono sweeping the pavement outside her home with a straw broom. While it's true that the exciting vibe has a somewhat depressing flip side - shoebox housing estates and office blocks traversed by overhead expressways crowded with traffic - Tokyo remains a glittering example of the 'miracle' of post-WWII Japan. Despite mega-construction, the average Tokyo suburb has not yet fallen prey to supermarket culture; streets are lined with tiny specialist shops and bustling restaurants, most of which stay open late into the night. Transportation Travel around Tokyo is relatively easy with its efficient, extensive subway system that supports 4 to 5 million commuters a day. Nearly all station stops are marked in English. Although buses and taxies are available, students will likely find little need to use them. For travel throughout Japan, there are various train options. The high-speed Shinkansen train covers the distance from Kyushu to Hokkaido. The Shinkansen has two systems: the Hikari super-express train, and the Kodoma, which makes intermediate stops. The rides are very smooth even at speeds of 136 miles per hour. The trains have buffet cars and telephones. Tokyo's huge Ueno Station is the bullet train service of the Tohoku and Joetsu Shinkansen to the northern regions of Japan's main Honshu Island. The climate in Japan varies greatly. Most of the country experiences four seasons; winters bring crisp cold in Tokyo, while summers are raining and humid. The average daytime temperature from April to October is around 60° F. Cost of Living As of June 2005, the currency rate was 1 USD fo 87 Japanese Yen. It should also be noted that tipping is not a common practice in Japan. Gifts and other small tokens of appreciation are often given, however. Also, you will not find items made in Japan to be less expensive than in the U.S. In fact, many items are more expensive. Top Sights of Tokyo
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