Although the site of present day Tokyo was originally inhabited by Stone Age tribes, the city’s actual history began in the 12th century when local warlord, Edo Taro Shigenada, built a fort named Edo in the area. Centuries later, Ota Kokan constructed a castle at Edo and in 1590, Edo became the capital of the province. (The Imperial Capital was in Kyoto). Life was brutal in Edo. Feudal barons, samurai and shoguns were constantly at war. In 1868, the last Tokugawa shogun surrendered to the Imperial Government and the Emperor changed Edo’s name to Tokyo. The castle became the royal palace and for many years Tokyo prospered as a commercial and cultural center.

In 1923 a catastrophic earthquake and fires destroyed almost half of Tokyo and killed more than 150,000 residents. Japanese spirit and determination prevailed and Tokyo was rebuilt within a few years. World War II again brought devastation and disgrace to Tokyo. United States Armed Forces turned their attention to Japan following the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. Air raids in 1945 killed 80,000 people in Tokyo and destroyed about 40% of the city. Following Japanese surrender, Tokyo again rebuilt quickly. Growth encompassed every field from architecture to education and the arts. When the Olympic Games came to Tokyo in 1964, tourism escalated and has not slowed. Today, Tokyo takes pride in its past, boasts a strong present and continues to leads the way with new high tech ideas for much of the world.