Tracing Tokyo's journey from ancient times to the present
Tokyo (former name: Edo) was a small fishing village before the Edo period. However, the area has a much longer history, and various civilizations have flourished since ancient times.
Around 14,000 BC: The Paleolithic people inhabited the area that would become Tokyo, using stone tools and hunting large game.
Around 10,000 BC: The Jomon culture began, characterized by pottery, hunting, fishing, and gathering.
300 BC: In the Yayoi period, rice cultivation began, metal tools appeared, and social stratification began to emerge.
3rd to 7th century: The Kofun period saw the rise of powerful clans, including those in Musashi Province, marked by the construction of keyhole-shaped burial mounds.
538 AD: Buddhism was introduced to Japan and began influencing local spiritual practices and temple building.
645 AD: The Taika Reforms centralized the government, impacting regional provinces including Musashi (modern-day Tokyo area).
8th to 12th century: During the Nara and Heian periods, court culture flourished and Buddhist temples were established in the Tokyo area.
1051–1087: The Earlier Nine Years' War and the Later Three Years' War established samurai dominance in regional conflicts.
1185–1333: The Kamakura shogunate was established, and samurai society formed, with the Kanto region gaining strategic importance.
1336–1573: During the Muromachi period, Edo became a strategic base. Regional lords vied for control, with frequent conflicts.
1457: Ōta Dōkan built Edo Castle, laying the foundation for future urban development.
1590: Tokugawa Ieyasu moved to the Kanto region and began developing Edo after receiving it from Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
1603: The Edo shogunate was established and Tokyo (Edo) began its transformation into a political and urban center.
1603: Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo Shogunate; Edo became the de facto capital of Japan.
1657: The Great Fire of Meireki destroyed much of Edo; city planning reforms followed.
1700s: Edo grew into one of the world's largest cities, with a population of over 1 million.
1853: Commodore Perry arrived in Japan, prompting the opening of Japan to the West.
1868: The Meiji Restoration began; the Emperor moved from Kyoto to Edo, renaming it "Tokyo" (Eastern Capital).
1889: Tokyo City was officially established under a modern municipal system.
1923: The Great Kanto Earthquake devastated Tokyo, killing over 100,000 and prompting massive rebuilding.
1945: Tokyo suffered extensive bombing during WWII. The city was nearly destroyed and then rebuilt post-war.
1947: The Constitution of Japan was enacted, and Tokyo became the capital of postwar democracy.
1964: Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics, symbolizing Japan’s recovery and modernization.
1980s: Tokyo became a global financial center during Japan’s economic bubble.
1990s: After the bubble burst, Tokyo adapted with a focus on innovation and tech industries.
2011: The Tōhoku earthquake and Fukushima disaster deeply impacted national policy and energy reform.
2020–2021: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Tokyo successfully hosted the postponed 2020 Olympics.
2024–2025: Tokyo continues to lead in sustainable urban development, AI, robotics, and cultural preservation in the Reiwa era.
| The Era | Primary Industries | Ruler / Leadership | Residential Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edo Period | Commerce, rice trade, artisan crafts | Tokugawa Shogunate | Samurai districts, merchant quarters, castle town layout |
| Meiji Period | Modern industry, textiles, infrastructure | Emperor Meiji / Central Government | Western-style brick buildings, railways, imperial palaces |
| Taisho Period | Mass production, publishing, finance | Parliamentary system under the Emperor | Urban sprawl, mixed traditional and modern homes |
| Showa Period (pre-WWII) | Heavy industry, military buildup | Militarized government / Emperor Showa | Dense wooden housing, early suburbs |
| Showa Period (post-WWII) | Manufacturing, electronics, global trade | Democratic government under the Constitution | Reconstructed urban core, high-rise apartments |
| Heisei Period | Technology, finance, service industries | Parliamentary democracy | Modern skyline, smart homes, suburban growth |
| Reiwa Period | AI, green energy, digital economy | Prime Minister, Emperor as symbolic head | Eco-cities, co-living spaces, preserved historic districts |