TOKYO

Tokyo had originally started out as a small fishing village called 'Edo'. This dated back ot the 3000BC, it was the first fortified in the twelfth century and became one to Edo castle. It is also now the site of the Imperial Palace. In 1853 the US Navy first entered Edo harbour in what became the first step in opening up Japan to western trade. This sparked massive growth made Japan the way it is now. The cities name had changed to Tokyo, which meant Eastern Capitol in 1868.

 

The Great Kanto Earthquake

In 1923, just before noon on September 1, a massive earthquake measuring between 7.9 and 8.4 on the Richter scale had erupted just 30 miles south of Tokyo. It unleashed an explosive burst of energy that caused great destruction in both Tokyo and the nearby city of Yokohama, Japan's largest port. The Greatest Kanto Earthquake destroyed more than 45% of Tokyo and killed more than 140,000 people, making it the deadliest natural disaster in Japanese history.

 

The Allied Bombing of Tokyo

In the WW2-era bombing of Japan began just months after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, there was another bombing almost sa destructive as Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Aviator James Doolittle led a raid of 16 B-25 bombers targeting Tokyo and Yokohama. Aerial attacks intensified in late 1944 following the allied capture of Pacific islands that put them (and the new, highly advanced B-29 bomber) in stricking distance of Tokyo. In the following months, the allies began a series of night-time firebombing raids, culminating in Operation Meetinghouse, when more than 2,000 tonnes of incendiary bombs were dropped over Tokyo in just 48 hours and 16 square miles around the city, killing between 80,000 and 130,000. It remains one of the single most destructive bombing raids in history.

 

Building of the "Metro" Rail System

Tokyo's first train station was first opened in 1927 and greatly expanded in 1963. in time for the summer Olympics. Tokyo's mass train system, only part of which run underground, moves more than 8.7 million commuters a day along its 200 miles of track making that 3.2 billion people per year. Takyo has the busiest metro rail system in the modern world.

 

Culture

Tokyo is the cultural centre of Japan having originated from the ethnic 'Jomon' culture and then mixed with subsequent influences. The first few being Chinese, Korean, then Greek and Indian, and finally from European and American influences. Japan had soon easily developed their own culture.

 

Tokyo's unique culture is reflected in its own traditional arts such as: ikebana (flower arranging), origami (making objects by folding paper), and ukiyo-e (woodblock printing); crafts - dolls, lacquer-ware, and pottery; performances - kabuki (complex dramas performed in elaborate costumes), noh (restrained and highly stylized drama), bunraku (puppet theatre), kyogen (short satirical plays), and kamishibai (storytelling with animation, sound, and music); and traditions - games, onsen (hot springs used as public bathing places), and by having tea ceremonies.

 

Religion

Japan's two main religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. Shintoism is as old as Japanese culture whilst Buddhism was imported from the mainland  in the 16th century. Both circling around being happy and content with your life and with others. It can show that they prefer to be calm and collected.

 

Tourism

Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world to travel to, crimes against tourists are rare, and even women travelling alone have little to fear in most parts of the city. Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its many visitors. Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city centre and all within relatively short train rides at its outskirts. On that note, many visitors need to know that Mount Fuji is on;y visible about 80 days a year, although it is in well viewing distance! Also, might i mention that there are many anime expos and beautiful scenery to endorse yourself in?