This city was founded around 1457, and was named Edo. It became the primary city in its country from the 16th century. By the 1800's, it had over one million inhabitants, making it possibly the largest city in the world at that time. Today it has a new na

This major global hub began as a modest fishing village known as Edo. The area's strategic importance grew significantly with the construction of Edo Castle in 1457. Its transformation into the nation's primary city began in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his powerful shogunate, making Edo the de facto capital and the center of political power in Japan for over 250 years. While the emperor officially resided in Kyoto, Edo was the true heart of the country's governance and commerce.

This political importance fueled incredible growth. The city expanded rapidly, and by the mid-18th century, its population had swelled to more than one million people, making it one of the largest and most prosperous cities in the world at the time. This boom was partly due to a policy requiring feudal lords (daimyōs) to reside in Edo periodically, bringing their households and wealth with them, which created a massive consumer market and cultural center.

The city's modern identity was forged in 1868 with the end of the shogunate and the Meiji Restoration. The new government, led by Emperor Meiji, officially relocated the imperial court from Kyoto to Edo. To signify this shift and its new status as the formal capital, the city was renamed Tokyo, which translates to "Eastern Capital". The former Edo Castle is now the site of the Imperial Palace.