Introducing heart-moving stories about Tokyo
you can’t find in tourist travel guides in
multiple languages and through videos!
Kabuki-za Theater, Ginza, Chuo ward
The Spirit of Kabuki
How kabuki has been breaking conventions while passing on traditions.
Ekoin, Minami-senju, Arakawa ward
Kaitai Shinsho: Translation of the Medical Book
The perseverance that enabled the translation of a medical publication even though they only knew 700 words.
Ryogoku Kokugikan, Yokoami, Sumida ward
Sumo -Futabayama: The Man Who Wanted to Be As Strong As a Wooden Rooster
The ideal state of being for the foeless Yokozuna was the wooden rooster.
The Remains of the Edo Castle, Imperial Palace, Chiyoda ward
Why There is No Castle Tower on the Edo Castle
The reason that the castle tower on the Edo Castle was never rebuilt.
Jisshi Koen, Nihonbashi-kodenmacho, Chuo ward
Shoin Yoshida, the Proactive Scholar
The teachings of Shoin Yoshida which marked the end of the era of the samurai.
Ichiyo Higuchi Memorial Museum, Ryusen, Taito ward
A Woman Writer Ichiyo Higuchi -The 14 Month Miracle-
The portrait on the 5000 yen bill is a female writer genius who died at the age of 24.
Jingu Baseball Stadium, Shinjuku ward
The Miracle of Gakushuin University at the Jingu Baseball Stadium in 1958
The miraculous victory by the weakest university in the league.
The Monument for a Whale at the Kagata Shrine, Higashi-shinagawa, Shinagawa ward
The Day a Whale Washed Up on Edo
A whale appeared in the Tokyo Bay! Even the Shogun came to witness it!
Otemachi, Chiyoda ward
The Marathon World Record of Shiso Kanaguri, Founder of the Hakone Ekiden
The marathon world record of Shiso Kanaguri, founder of the Hakone Ekiden
Nanzoin, Katsushika ward
Shibarare Jizo: The Tied-Up Guardian Statue
The jizo was tied up and received judgment for the sin of letting a thief go free.
Yoroibashi bridge, Kabutocho, Chuo ward
Yoroibashi: An Armor Sunk in the River
Why armor was sunk into the depths of the river under the Yoroibashi.
Hanakawado Park, Hanakawado, Taito ward
The Legend of the Hag
The legend of the hag who offered travelers a room and then murdered them.
Kaneiji, Ueno Park, Taito ward
The Cornerstone of Japanese High-rise Buildings -Kaneiji Five-story Pagoda-
The architecture for modern skyscrapers was adapted from the traditional five-story pagoda.
Yuki Onna Monument, Chigasemachi, Ome city
The Snow Woman Folklore
Never tell anyone that you met the Snow Woman, or else...
Jinnai Shrine, Asakusabashi, Taito ward
Jinnai Kosaka: Helping People with Okori
The wish of the ninja that died of malaria.
Tomizawacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo ward
The Origins of Nihonbashi-tomizawacho: Jinnai Tobisawa, the Second-hand Clothes Merchant
The thrift merchants worked together to catch thieves and protected the town.
Akasaka Hikawa Shrine, Akasaka, Minato ward
A Story Behind the Most Famous Tale of Revenge -Nambuzaka: Farewell in the Snow-
Before his revenge, Kuranosuke Oishi visited the widow of his late lord.
Zojoji, Shiba, Minato ward
The Story of the Shogunate Iemochi and Kazunomiya
The story of Princess Kazunomiya's life, whose fate was at the mercy of the Edo period.
Fukudenkai Nursery, Hiroo, Shibuya ward
Fukudenkai Nursery: The Site of Japan and Poland’s Friendship
The bond of friendship between Japan and Poland.
Sennincho, Hachioji city
Hachioji Sennin Doshin: 1000 Samurais Who Protected the Tokugawa Clan
The 1000 samurais fought to protect the Nikko Toshogu.
Mitsukoshi, Nihonbashi, Chuo ward
Echigoya's Free Umbrella Rental
Department store Mitsukoshi's innovative business strategy.
Aoyama Spiral, Aoyama, Minato ward
Choei Takano: A Genius Ahead of His Time
Choei Takano, the scholar born too early.
Gotokuji, Setagaya ward
Gotokuji: The Temple of Maneki-neko
The origins of the famous "makeki-neko."
Koigakubo, Kokubunji city
Tragic Love in Koigakubo
The woman who awaited her love who went to war, and heard a fake report of his death...
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, Koto ward
Shiganosuke Akashi: The First Yokozuna
The most powerful wrestler, Shiganosuke Akashi, first man to take the title of "Yokozuna."
The Site of the Southern Bugyo, Yurakucho Station, Chiyoda ward
Echizen Ooka's Sympathetic and Warm-hearted Judicial Decision
Echizen Ooka, the great politician who was filled with sympathy.
Sakuradamon, Imperial Palace, Chiyoda ward
Sakuradamon Incident
Naosuke Ii, the samurai who knew of his assassination.
Fushimiyagura, Imperial Palace, Chiyoda ward
Fushimiyagura and Ieyasu’s Act of Love
There was a samurai at the Fushimijo Castle in Kyoto who protected Ieyasu, even to his own death.
Nikolai-do, Kanda, Chiyoda ward
Takuma Sawabe: The First Japanese Orthodox Priest
Was Ryoma Sakamoto involved in the Nikolai-do in Tokyo!?
Tokyo Dome, Bunkyo ward
Eiji Sawamura: The Great Pitcher Killed by War
Eiji Sawamura, the legendary pitcher who died in war.
Ueno Zoo, Taito ward
The Elephants That Disappeared from Ueno Zoo
During World War II, there was an order to euthanize the zoo animals.
Ueno Zoo, Taito ward
I Want To See an Elephant -The Bond Between Japan and India-
The children's friendship with India and their dream to see an elephant.
Kichijoji temple, Hon-komagome, Bunkhyo ward
The Last Samurai Familiar with the West, Takeaki Enomoto
Takeaki Enomoto, the samurai who established the republic of Hokkaido during the Edo period.
Tokyo University of Agriculture, Setagaya ward
Ryuseito: The Sword Made from Meteorites
The secret story of the sacred sword made from meteorite iron.
Basho Inari Shrine, Tokiwa, Koto ward
Traces of Basho Matsuo, the Master of Haiku
The breath of Basho Matsuo, famous haiku poet, in an around Tokyo.
Commercial Street, Azabu-juban, Minato ward
The Girl with the Red Shoes
The tragedy hidden in the children's song, "The Girl with the Red Shoes."
Omokagebashi, Sinjuku ward
Dokan Ota: The Birth of a Great Commander of Wisdom and Courage
Who is Dokan Ota, the samurai who built the Edo Castle?
Eitaibashi, a Bridge Connecting Koto ward and Chuo ward
Eitaibashi and the Accidental Collapse: One Samurai’s Quick Wit Saved the Day
When the Eitaibashi collapsed, one samurai's quick wit saved many lives.
Imperial Palace, Chiyoda ward
Edo Castle, Protected by Feng Shui
The Edo Castle was protected by the powers of feng shui!
The Site of Nagasakiya, Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo ward
Hoshu Katsuragawa: A Master-Pupil Bond Crossing Borders
Hoshu Katsuragawa, who interacted with the Dutch, heard his name in an unexpected situation.
Kodenmacho Prison Exhibition Hall, Nihonbashi-kodenmacho, Chuo ward
The Decision of Tatewaki Ishide That Saved the Prisoners from the Fire
As the fire engulfs the prison, a decision must be made whether to release the prisoners or not...
Nihon University, Kudanminami, Chiyoda ward
Akiyoshi Yamada: The Napoléon of Japan
The university created by a man who admired Napoleon.
Toyoiwa Inari Shrine, Ginza 7-chome, Chuo ward
Inari Shrine Worshipped by the Brave General
A small shrine that was worshipped by a general who served Mitsuhide Akechi.
Hatchobori, Chuo ward
A Folktale of Ferryman Seiji
Seiji gave a fish to the god of misfortune, who left him with curious words...
Nihonbashi, Chuo ward
A Folktale of the Beggar's Magical Washcloth
A transformation into a breathtaking beauty after wiping the face with a beggar's washcloth.
Gedobashi, Shakujiigawa, Itabashi ward
A Folktale of Stingy Roku-san
The secret behind the stingy man who never spent any money.
Kanda, Chiyoda ward
A Folktale of the Carpenter and the Cat
He regained sight after his cat licked his eyes, however...
Tamagawa
A Folktale of the Rainbow Ferry
A rescued carp returned the favor with a mysterious ball of light that lit up in rainbow colors.
Tsukiji Market, Chuo ward
Namiyoke Shrine -Being Grateful for the Gift of Life-
Prayers of gratitude towards living things are offered in a shrine in the corner of Tsukiji.
Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya ward
The Bountiful Forest in the Midst of the Metropolis
The deep forest in the middle of Tokyo was made by people.
Tokyo Station
The Terminal Station That Protected Tokyo
The sturdy terminal that protected the citizens of Tokyo.
Tokyo tower, Minato ward
Tokyo Tower: The Symbol of Japan’s Recovery
The Tokyo Tower, standing as a post-war recovery symbol for the country.
Tokyo sky tree, Sumida ward
The Tallest Building in Japan -A Combination of the Latest Technology and Traditional Techniques-
Why they were able to construct a tower twice as high, on a site smaller than the Tokyo Tower.
Tsukiji Shijo, Chuo ward
Three Remarkable Features of the World’s Best Fish Market
The three things that the Tsukiji Market boasts to the world.
Sensoji Shrine, Asakusa, Taito ward
The History of Asakusa
How did Asakusa become the biggest entertainment area?
Shinjuku
The Birth of the Biggest City in Tokyo
What is the secret history behind why Shinjuku became Tokyo's biggest city?
Tokyo Station
The Story Behind the Development of Shinkansen
The dream express that brought together all of Japan's technologies.
Tsukiji Shijo, Chuo ward
The Traditional Techniques and Advanced Technology That Underlies Sushi
The latest technology that supports traditional Japanese sushi.
Odaiba, Minato ward
The Front Line to Counter the Black Ships
There was a time when cannons were the frontlines to repel foreign ships.
Kanda antiquarian bookstore area, Chiyoda ward
The Second-hand Bookstore Street Started by a Master Swordsman
Kanda's bookstores were born from the importance of not only focusing on swordsmanship but also on academics.
Zoshigaya Reien, Toshima ward
The Curious Case of John Manjiro
A child of a fisherman cast away on sea was rescued by an American whaling ship...
Kansenji, Imagawa, Suginami ward
To Live is to Survive: The Decision of Ujizane Imagawa to Save the Family
The brave decision by the Imagawa Family to serve their former vassal, Ieyasu Tokugawa.
Daikyocho, Shinjuku ward
The Young Swordsman, Soji Okita
The destiny of the young swordsman, Soji Okita, who died at 27.
Ginza 6-chome, Chuo ward
Rokuro Usui: The Last Revenge in Japan
Child of a samurai, Rokuro Usui vowed to avenge his parents at the age of 10.
Mejiro, Toshima ward
Scandal in the Ooku –Kannoji Incident
A scandal that involved Ooku, the Shogun's private space.
Kioicho, Chiyoda ward
The Last Swordsman’s Skill -Kenkichi Sakakibara-
With the end of the samurai era came the Meiji period. What was the technique that the last, old samurai performed?
Ekoin, Minami-senju, Arakawa ward
The Woman Who Protected Her Lover to Her Death
The life of Ino Takimoto, the woman who staked her life to protect her love.
Hyakunincho , Shinjuku ward
Ninja’s Side Jobs
What?! Ninjas had side jobs during times of peace?
The Mansion Site of Hidetatsu Tarozaemon Egawa, Kamezawa, Sumida ward
The Superhero of Edo: Hidetatsu Egawa
The man who poured his life into modernizing Japan, Hidetatsu's last words was, "Bring my horse."
Ishikawajima, tsukuda, Chuo ward
The World’s First Correctional Facility: Ishikawa-jima Labor Camp
There was a correctional facility in Edo where homeless people could learn new skills.
Daienji, Bunkyo ward
Yaoya Oshichi and Horoku Jizo
The tragic love story of a girl who committed arson to see her love.
Enjoji, Bunkyo ward
Yaoya Oshichi, Who Died for Love
Oshichi, the girl who died for love at 16.
Koishikawa Park, Bunkyo ward
Save the Lives in Edo! -The Koishikawa Hospital-
The Edo period's greatest medical revolution, in order to save the poor.
Ekoin, Ryogoku, Sumida ward
Tanikaze’s Humanity-filled Sumo
The last bout with deep humanity that Tanikaze sent to a retiring sumo wrestler.
The Mansion Site of Kira, Ryogoku, Sumida ward
The Most Famous Revenge in History: The Attack of Akoroshi
The most famous revenge in Japan - 47 samurais' revenge for their master!
Ryogokubashi, Ryogoku, Sumida ward
Gengo Otaka: The Encounter at Ryogokubashi on the Eve of Vengeance
The eve of the most famous revenge in Japan, one samurai met an old friend.
Shinobazunoike, Ueno, Taito ward
Benten Fraud: Impersonating the Goddess Benten
Beautiful ladies suddenly appeared in front of a faithful merchant.
Ueno Park, Taito ward
Shushiki-zakura: The Cherry Blossom Tree Famous for Haiku at Ueno Park
The noble wood "Shushiki-zakura" got its name from a haiku.
Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Taito ward
The Water-Drinking Dragon That Soars Through the Night Sky
Craftsperson Jingoro Hidari's dragon sculpture soared through the night sky to drink water.
Yanaka Reien, Yanaka, Taito ward
Yoshinobu Tokugawa: The Last Shogunate
What went on inside shogun Yoshinobu's heart that led to the surrender of the Edo Castle without blood?
Yanaka Reien, Yanaka, Taito ward
Nakazo Nakamura: Maverick of the Kabuki World
Nakazo Nakamura, a great actor who made a new rendering to a kabuki masterpiece.
Tennoji, Yanaka, Taito ward
Tomikuji: Did the Winning Ticket Disappear in the Fire?
The man who lost everything to a fire had the one Tomikuji that he had bought remaining.
The Site of the Residence for the Tokugawa Clan’s Dogs, Nakano City Office, Nakano ward
Ten Thousand Dogs
What is the world's first "animal law" set by the 5th shogun?
Tentokuin, Nakano ward
Yosobei Kajikawa: The Man Who Stopped a Bloody Battle in the Edo Castle
Who is the man that stopped a bloody battle within the Edo Castle?
The Monument of Ekoda Battlefield, Ekoda Park, Nakano ward
The Tragedy of Teruhime: The Defeat of the Toshima Family by Dokan Ota
Teruhime, cornered after a fierce battle, threw herself into a lake.
Genkuji, Asakusa, Taito ward
Chobei Hanzuiin: The Man Who Did Not Succumb to the Vassals
Story of a man who did not succumb to the vassals and ended proudly.
Hikan Inari Shrine, Asakusa, Taito ward
Tatsugoro Shinmon: The Master Firefighter of Edo
Tatsugoro, head of the firefighters, had a past of suffering from a fire.
Asakusa Engei Hall, Asakusa, Taito ward
The Birth of Beat Takeshi
The path that the extraordinary entertainer, world-famous Kitano, has walked.
Atagoyama, Minato ward
Kanei Sanbajutsu: The Man Who Earned a Promotion by Running Up a Stone Staircase on Horseback
The Man who earned a promotion by running up a stone staircase on horseback.
Zojoji, Minato ward
Never Forget the Favor of the Sorai-dofu: Sorai, the Great Scholar, and the Tofu Seller
The curious fate of the great scholar Sorai Ogyu and the tofu seller.
Maruyama Tumulus, Minato ward
Tadataka Ino: The Man Who Mapped Japan on Foot from the Age of 55
Tadataka Ino: the man who mapped Japan on foot from the age of 55.
Genyadana, Ningyocho, Chuo ward
Otomi and Yosaburo: The Dead Love is Alive?!
The woman he saw was his lover who was supposed to be dead. What did the man do?
Sanko Inari Shrine, Ningyocho, Chuo ward
Nezumi-kozo Jirokichi: The Righteous Thief Who Gave His Stolen Money to the Poor
The background of Nezumi-kozo, the chivalrous robber who gave the money he stole to the common people.
Ningyocho, Chuo ward
Otake Nyorai: The Reincarnation of the Great Dainichi Nyorai
After searching for Dainichi Nyorai, what he found was Otake, a servant housemaid.
The Site of the First National Bank, Kabutocho, Nihonbashi, Chuo ward
Eiichi Shibusawa: The Father of Japanese Capitalism
Eiichi Shibusawa, a man who dedicated himself to the modernization of Japan's business world.
The Remains of the Nihobashi Uogashi, Takaracho, Nihonbashi, Chuo ward
Isshin Tasuke: The Bellicose Man and Friend of the Vassal
Fire and fighting are the belles of Edo. Isshin Tasuke's outstanding work!
Nihonbashi Post Office, Nihonbashi, Chuo ward
Hisoka Maejima: The Father of Modern Postal Services in Japan
The struggle of Hisoka Maejima, creator of the modern postal services system.
The Remains of the Castle Tower of the Edo Castle at the Imperial Palace, Chiyoda ward
Furisode Fire: Kimono of a Young Girl Who Passed Away That Burned Down Edo
The origin of the fire that burned down the castle tower of the Edo Castle: the karma surrounding a girl's kimono.
The Remains of the Matsu Hallway of the Edo Castle, Imperial Palace, Chiyoda ward
The Bloodshed in the Sword-prohibited Edo Castle
The bloodshed in the Edo Castle's Matsu hallway: the cause of the most famous revenge in Japan.
Imperial Palace, the Remains of the Inner Palace of the Edo Castle, Chiyoda ward
Ooku: The Secret of the Woman's World in the Edo Castle
The daily modest mischief engaged in woman's world, Ooku
