Minato City, Then and Now

Minato City is one of the places that best represents the metropolis of Tokyo, but at the same time, it is a place where you can see historical buildings and learn their stories. Upon arrival at JR Hamamatsucho Station from Haneda Airport, if time allows, you could climb Tokyo Tower, one of Tokyo’s most recognizable symbols, on your first day in Japan. During the Edo Period (1600-1868), when Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa family, Minato was home to many temples and samurai residences. Zojoji Temple, located in front of Tokyo Tower, was not only a Buddhist facility but also served as a place where the ancestors of the Tokugawa family were enshrined. Even today, several shogun and their families are enshrined in the temple, and the magnificent gate to the shoguns’ graveyard can still be seen in Shiba Park. It is said that there are around 240 temples in Minato City. Some of the modern buildings that stand today were built on the ruins of sprawling samurai estates as well. Just a short walk around Minato will give you a sense of both the modern and Edo eras of Japan.