Tokyo has origins of inhabitation dating back to 3000 BC. In fact, the Yoyogi-Hachiman Shrine just west of Yoyogi Park in Shibuya has traces of a historic settlement from the middle Jomon period (2500~1500 BC).

By 1800, this was the largest city in the world with a population of over 1 million. The city’s growth and frequent rebuilding over the years, especially during the 20th century, helps to explain why Tokyo is the way it is and how it differs from other international metropolises.

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