Isn’t it amazing that a small fishing village once stood here? That village was named Edo. It eventually transformed into the bustling district of Chūōhonchō.
Today we will explore Chūōhonchō. We will uncover layers of history and modern life interwoven in this eastern capital.
Edo was founded in 1603. It later became the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate. The city’s population boomed. By the 18th century Edo had over one million residents. In 1868 Edo was officially renamed Tokyo. Tokyo means “Eastern Capital”.
Tokyo is now the largest city in the world. Greater Tokyo has over 38 million residents. This makes it the most populated urban area globally.
Tokyo is also one of the safest cities. Crime rates are low. It is not unusual to see locals falling asleep on trains with their phones out.
The story of Chūōhonchō cannot be told without mentioning the disaster. The Allies heavily bombed Tokyo during World War II. The devastation resembled that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Up to 130000 people died in 48 hours in 1944. Despite this Tokyo became the first city to reach 10 million residents in 1962.
Modern Tokyo boasts the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants. Food lovers rejoice. There are over 223 restaurants with at least one Michelin star.
The Tokyo Skytree is one of the world’s tallest buildings. It stands 634 meters tall. You can see Mount Fuji from Tokyo on a clear day. The Metropolitan Government Building is a popular viewing spot.
Underneath Tokyo are five cylindrical shafts. These prevent flooding. They divert floodwaters. They also help in the event of a tsunami.
Chūōhonchō is part of a major fashion capital. Harajuku is the city’s youth culture and street fashion epicenter. Rakuten Fashion Week is a major event for designers.
If you are a fan of Mario Kart Tokyo offers a real-life experience. You can drive through Shibuya dressed as your favorite character.
Tokyo has the highest number of neon signs worldwide. Shinjuku and Shibuya are great areas to see them.
There are also many sushi-conveyor-belt restaurants.
Tokyo has its own Disneyland theme park. It was the first Disney park outside the United States. It is cheaper than its American counterparts.
There are lots of themed cafes in Tokyo. There are vampire cafes and cat cafes.
Tokyo is a city of contrasts. It blends the old and the modern. Chūōhonchō stands as a testament to Tokyo’s resilience. It embodies its vibrant culture. Its story is one of transformation. It is a journey from a small fishing village to a global metropolis.