"Tokyo - formerly known as Edo" Tokyo by GrumpyDiver

Up until 1868, Kyoto was the official capital of Japan, although it was the defacto capital under the Tokugawa shogunate from 1603 onwards. With the restoration of the Meiji Emperor, the capital was officially moved from Kyoto and the city was renamed to "Tokyo", or the "Eastern Capital".

By 1721, Tokyo was the largest city in the world, with a population of over 1 million inhabitants. With over 13 million inhabitants, it still holds that honour.

Sensō-ji Temple Entrance

There are many temples in Tokyo, and the Senso-ji is the oldest and one of the best known. It is on the "must do" list for any visitor to the city.

Getting ready to leave Tokyo

A few days in Tokyo gave us a chance to get over our jet-lag. We were ready to face other places in Japan now. With our Japan Rail (JR) train passes in hand, four travellers are ready to explore other parts of the country.

• Pros:There are some advantages to being the largest city in the world.
• Cons:Too darn many people. The place is a full-time traffic jam!
• In a nutshell:People, people everywhere...