Tokyo

Approximately halfway along the long and arc-shaped archipelago of Japan, spreading over the Kanto Plain and facing the Pacific Ocean, there is the megalopolis of Tokyo. The city presents a complex urban landscape, laced with layer upon layer of railways and highways with a mighty conglomeration of buildings in between. But if Tokyo appears immense and daunting from above, alight for a while in its midst, and you will see that down on the ground it is well organized and highly civilized on a human scale.

For Tokyo is actually dozens of cities within a city. At the core is the business center of Chiyoda Ward; to the east is the center of the former Edo-town people's culture, shitamachi, and to the west is the skyscraper city of Shinjuku, where the Tokyo government now resides. Meanwhile, around all the major stations are mega department stores, shopping, and restaurant districts, and their inevitable companies, the playgrounds of the nights. But the interesting thing about Tokyo is that no matter where you are, you only have to step a street or two back from the main thoroughfare to discover the communications of people, where "community" still means a helping hand and a smile.

What may also be surprising about Tokyo is that it is by no means all-concrete: there are parks and gardens everywhere and within an hour of the city center there are beaches and a green hinterland. Slightly further afield are volcanic islands with white sandy shores, and deep mountains for trekking, fishing, and camping.

Tokyo is clean and safe, easy to get around, and to get things done. The low crime rate is famous, and the efficiency of the city's public transport legendary.

Computerized systems keep the city functioning smoothly; shopping is easy, and information is on tap from any source in the world via printed media or on screen.

In spite of its harsh urban veneer and high-tech efficiency, Tokyo is a city with a free spirit where anything goes. Well, not quite: Japanese people expect perfection in workmanship, are strict in their adherence to social rules, and are rather fussy about being on time, but when it comes to matters of the soul, they are generous in their acceptance of anything new, exotic, playful, lovely, witty, or cute. And above politics, economics and formal religion, they are inspired by the way that nature brings such beauty with each new season.

Take a chance and talk to somebody. Whether you are greeted by a big smile or an embarrassed grin, the welcome will be real. Tokyo people may be sophisticated participants in the world arena, but at home they love festivals, good food, and the flowers of the season. These people are shyly waiting to greet you on the doorstep of an exciting city with an open heart.

From its establishment in 1603 to the end of the 19th century Tokyo prospered as a castle town named Edo. Peace and stability brought to society by the Tokugawa shogunate allowed Edo to grow rapidly.

By the 18th century it was the largest city in the world, with a population of over a million, exceeding even London's. Edo was clean and well organized and the people led a rich and colorful culture life.

In Edo, all roads led to the shogun's castle. Samurai mansions gathered at its gates; provincial lords had embassies nearby; and artisans and merchants came from Kyoto and Osaka to supply their needs.

Vestiges of those times can still be witnessed today, not only in the former gates and stone walls of the old castle moat, but in the way that the modern city is laid out, with the city's main business center and political hub on the periphery of the old castle, along with the important gateway to the, city, Tokyo Station. To the east of the station is the ever-thriving Nihonbashi wholesale district and the famous shopping streets of Ginza, literally "seat of silver""which was once the side of the shogun's mint.

And what of the castle it self? In 1868, when the power was taken back from the shogun to the emperor and he came from Kyoto to rule. Later, palace was built in its place. This is where the emperor and empress reside today. Part of it, the Imperial Palace east Garden, is open to the public.