Tokyo Region

Where Edo Lives On: Discovering the Samurai Legacy Beneath Tokyo’s Surface

Today’s capital, Tokyo, began as a small fishing village once known as “Edo.” Its destiny changed dramatically thanks to Tokugawa Ieyasu. After his victory at the Battle of Sekigahara, Ieyasu established Edo as his base of power and founded the shogunate, ushering in a peaceful era that would last for about 260 years—known as the Edo period.

Edo eventually grew into one of the world’s largest cities. Following the Meiji Restoration, it was renamed Tokyo, and with the Emperor’s relocation from Kyoto, it became the political and cultural heart of modern Japan.

In Tokyo today, you’ll find numerous sites that preserve the memory of this historical evolution. From the **remains of Edo Castle (now the Imperial Palace)**, to neighborhoods like Ueno and Asakusa that retain the charm of Edo-period culture, and a range of Meiji-era architecture and museums—this city is a living crossroads of samurai heritage and modern transformation.

Tokyo is not just a sleek, modern metropolis—it is also a historic city where the era of the samurai and modern Japan coexist.

Places to Visit

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Complete Guide｜Golden Hall, Karamon Gate, Paid Area Tips, and 11 Historic Highlights

Ueno Toshogu Shrine Complete Guide｜Golden Hall, Karamon Gate, Paid Area Tips, and 11 Historic Highlights A practical guide based on repeated visits to Ueno Toshogu Shrine, explaining why the paid Golden Hall area is worth entering, how to view the ...

Ueno Toshogu Shrine “Kinshikiden” Special Door OpeningBeyond the Doors Usually Kept Closed

Ueno Toshogu Shrine “Kinshikiden” Special Door OpeningBeyond the Doors Usually Kept Closed 📅 On-site visit report from Saturday, April 18, 2026　／　Inside Ueno Park　／　Important Cultural Property Following the Shogun › Ueno Toshogu Shrine › Kinshikiden Special Door Opening Report Ueno Toshogu ...

Taiyuin Mausoleum, Treasure Museum & Hidden Spots — Complete Archive | Nikko Toshogu (On-Site: 2026/2/22)

📋 Nikko Toshogu Guide — 3-Page Series Essential — Tickets · Access · How Long to Allow · How to Navigate Story — Why Was Ieyasu Enshrined at Nikko? Complete Part 1 — Full Guide to Every Spot: Gates · ...

Nikko Toshogu: Complete Guide to Every Spot — Gates, Sculptures, Shrine Buildings & Inner Sanctuary (On-Site: 2026/2/22)

📋 Nikko Toshogu Guide — 3-Page Series Essential — Tickets · Access · How Long to Allow · How to Navigate Story — Why Was Ieyasu Enshrined at Nikko? ▶ This Page (Complete Part 1) — Full Guide to Every ...

NHK VR Toyotomi Osaka Castle: Experience Report & Guide | Shibuya, Tokyo

This page covers everything you need to know about the NHK VR event "Samurai's Dream: The Ghosts of Osaka Castle" at Shibuya BEAM in Tokyo. Event overview, ticket prices, and access information Practical tips before you go (restrooms, glasses, escalators, ...

Nikkō Tōshōgū: What the Shrine’s Design Is Trying to Make You Believe

📋 Nikko Toshogu Guide — 3-Page Structure Essential: Tickets, access, time required, and the best route ← Start here for practical first-visit information ▶ This Page (Story): Ieyasu’s deification, Toshogu’s history, and the political meaning of sacred space Complete: Every ...

Nikko Toshogu: A First-Timer’s Practical Guide — Tickets, Access, Time Required & Best Route

📋 Nikko Toshogu Guide — 3-Page Structure ▶ This Page (Essential): Tickets, access, time required, and the best route ← Start here for your first visit Story: What Nikko Toshogu’s Design Is Trying to Make You Believe Complete: Every Spot ...

Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa: Walking Guide to Tokugawa History, Surviving Edo Gates, and What Was Rebuilt

Senso-ji is one of Tokyo's most visited sites — but most visitors walk past four structures without realizing one of them dates to 1649, survived both the Great Kantō Earthquake and World War II, and is now a designated National ...

A Midsummer Return to Hamamatsu: A Day Exploring Landmarks Linked to Tokugawa Ieyasu

A midsummer journey through Hamamatsu, retracing the footsteps of Tokugawa Ieyasu.From Hamamatsu Castle to Gosha Shrine, Suwa Shrine, and the grave of Tsukiyama Gozen, I spent an entire day walking among sites that still echo the Sengoku era. Beneath the ...

How to Visit William Adams’ Sites in Yokosuka – Anjinzuka, Kashima Shrine & Jōdoji Temple

This self-guided walking tour takes you through the historic sites in Yokosuka where William Adams (Miura Anjin)—the real English navigator who inspired SHŌGUN's Blackthorne—served the Tokugawa shogunate and left an enduring legacy. The route starts at Anjinzuka Station and covers ...