Tokyo is Japan's capital and the country's largest city. Archaeological evidence indicates that the site of Tokyo was inhabited by Stone Age tribes. The present city was founded in the 12th century as the village of "Edo" also spelled "Yedo" (archaic). In 1456–57 Ota Dokan, ruler of the Kanto region under the Japanese shogunate, constructed a castle at Edo, soon it is became Japan's political center in 1603 when Tokugawa shogunate was established seat of government. As the center of politics and culture in Japan, Edo grew into a huge city with a population of over a million by the mid-eighteenth century. Tokyo has been generally accepted as the sole capital of Japan since 1869, when the Emperor took up permanent residence there.
The Tokyo climate is temperate but with vastly different conditions depending on the time of year. During the summer months from June to August, the weather in Tokyo is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 30°C (86°F) and above. There is a rainy season that lasts from early June to late July, and a typhoon season in August and September. Winters are cold, clear, and dry with temperatures are around 5°C (41°F) to 10°C (50°F).
The Tokyo economy is the largest metropolitan economy of the world. Tokyo is a major international financial centre, is home to several of the world's largest investment banks and insurance companies, and is the hub for the publishing, national transportation, and broadcasting industries. Tokyo worldwide is renowned as a city of electronic, chemical, automobile and heavy industries. Tokyo remains one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Tokyo has the most extensive mass transit system in the world; it is clean, safe and efficient - and confusing. Tokyo is covered by a dense network of train, subway and bus lines, which are operated by about a dozen different companies. The confusion arises from the fact that several distinct railway systems operate within Tokyo - the JR East network, the two subway networks, and various private lines - and different route maps show different systems. Buses are slower and more expensive than trains, and taxis are very expensive, but they are clean and can be a convenient way to get around Tokyo. Taxis can be hailed on the street, except in some central areas, where they only pick up from taxi ranks.
Tokyo is considered to be the cultural, educational and scientific center of Japan. Compulsory education includes elementary school and junior high school. Most schools operate on a three-term system with the new year starting in April. Japan has both private and public schools and universities; none of them are free, but public schools are considerably cheaper than private ones. Tokyo boasts the world's highest concentration of institutions of higher learning with over 100 universities and colleges, about a quarter of Japan's total.
The city of Tokyo is home to a large number of tourist attractions such as temples, historical sites, museums, parks and gardens. The Gokuku-ji Temple and the Sensoji Temple are two of the most famous temples of the city.
Sensoji Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple, Tokyo's oldest, and one of its most significant, temples. The temple is consecrated to the bodhisattva Kannon. According to legend, a statue of the Kannon, the goddess of mercy, was found in the Sumida River in 628 by two fishermen, the brothers Hinokuma Hamanari and Hinokuma Takenari. The main temple hall still houses the golden statue of Kannon, a diminutive 6cm tall, and is viewable by the public. Dominating the entrance to the temple is the kaminari-mon or "Thunder Gate." This imposing Buddhist structure features a massive paper lantern dramatically painted in vivid red-and-black tones to suggest thunderclouds and lightning.
Constructed in 1958 in the middle of a city block, Tokyo Tower soars 333 meters. The first floor houses an aquarium, home to 50,000 fish, the third floor is a wax museum and an attraction called the Mysterious Walking Zone, and the fourth floor a Trick Art Gallery. There are two observatories from which to get panoramic views of Tokyo, and Mount Fuji on a clear day. The Main Observatory is 150 meters high, the Special Observatory, 250 meters high. One hundred and seventy-six floodlights installed in various parts light up the Tower, it is illuminated with an orange light in winter and white incandescent light in summer.
The Imperial Palace Tokyo, known as Kokyo, is situated on the site of the Edo Castle, official residence of the Emperor and Empress of Japan since Tokyo became the political and imperial capital in 1868. The palace was once destroyed during World War II, and rebuilt in the same style, afterwards. The Imperial Palace is surrounded by moats, and some of the original gates and stone walls remain in the grounds. The inner palace gardens and buildings are closed to the public except on January 2 and December 23, when the imperial family makes a public appearance. One of the biggest attractions of the palace is the Imperial Palace East Gardens. The garden is situated on the palace's innermost defense circle.
Tokyo observes a wealth of festivals throughout the year with celebrations ranging from religious ceremonies to international film festivals.
