Historical Tokyo Guide: Edo to Modern Day

Tokyo (formerly Edo) has been destroyed and rebuilt many times—by fires, earthquakes, and war. The city layout, however, still whispers stories of the past. As you ride the bus, look out for these layers of history.

Layer 1: The Edo Period (1603–1868)

The Imperial Palace (Red Course) is the heart of this era.

• This was Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa Shoguns.
• notice the moat spiral pattern. The city was designed in a spiral radiating from the castle to trap enemies.

Layer 2: The Meiji Restoration (1868–1912)

Ginza (Red/Blue Course) represents this era of westernization.

• After a fire in 1872, the government rebuilt Ginza with red bricks (unusual for wood-loving Japan) to impress western visitors.
• Tokyo Station (Marunouchi) is a masterpiece of this era (finished later in 1914), styled after European stations.

Layer 3: The Reconstruction (Post-1945)

Tokyo Tower (Blue Course) is the icon of the post-war economic miracle. Built in 1958 using some scrap metal from US tanks, it symbolized Japan rising again.

Layer 4: The Future (1980s–Present)

Odaiba and Skytree.

• These represent the expansion of the city into the sky and the sea, conquering the lack of space with technology.

Comparing Maps

If you look at the 1910 map (see header image), you'll see canals that no longer exist. Many were filled in to build the highways you are driving on right now! The bus route is literally driving over the old waterways of the "City of Water."