Built on the Past: How Edo shaped the Tokyo we know today

Tokyo may be a futuristic metropolis, but its roots run deep in the 17th century when the city was known as Edo—then one of the world’s largest urban centers, with a population of over 1 million, that flourished with commerce, entertainment, and culture. Street-side stalls serving nigiri sushi evolved into today’s counter-style dining, while former daimyo gardens and kabuki theaters took on a distinctly Edo identity that helped shape the city’s character.

Edo also faced major disasters, most notably the Great Fire of 1657 which destroyed more than half of the city. Out of these trials grew a spirit of resilience and ambition that lives on in modern initiatives such as the TOKYO Resilience Project, designed to strengthen the city’s preparedness against future natural disasters.

Centuries on, today’s Tokyo has some remnants from the imprint of Edo in the shape of its distinct neighborhoods, canals, and roads laid down by its former city planners.

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