In his book “Pure Invention,” writer Matt Alt explores how the kawaii phenomenon and other pop-culture trends transformed Japan into a cultural superpower that has conquered the world’s imagination. The motifs later inspired the look of Hello Kitty, the adorable character that was created in 1974 and helped turn Sanrio’s founder, Shintaro Tsuji, into a billionaire. The designs were an instant hit, sparking a boom in cutesy products specifically aimed at young women. Working in his Nihonbashi boutique in the early 1900s, painter Yumeji Takehisa created illustrations depicting dreamy beauties with rounded features and large eyes. Kawaii culture-the “cute” aesthetic that propelled the success of beloved manga and anime characters such as Sailor Moon and the entire cast of Pokemon-originated in Tokyo. And, the ring-shaped Meguro Sky Garden-built above the junction of two motorways-brims with a variety of flora ranging from pine and cherry trees to bamboo. The rooftop garden that sits above the newly built Miyashita Park commercial complex covers more than 100,000 square feet and features recreational facilities such as a sand-filled volleyball court. In recent years, large urban developments have cultivated green spaces on tower rooftops, along corridors connecting shopping complexes, and even above highways. From neon jungle to silver screenįrom the meticulously manicured Hamarikyu Gardens, which were built in the 1century, to the moat-encircled grounds of the Imperial Palace and the cherry tree-lined lanes of Ueno Park, public gardens offer a welcome respite from hectic city life. Young entrepreneurs are also collaborating with local artisans, renting retail spaces along the old shotengai (shopping streets) and introducing new businesses like the hip natural wine shop, apéro. Temporary shops and exhibitions can also be found along the main shotengai shopping street. In Kyojima, an aging neighborhood known for traditional crafts, artist-in-residence programs, and projects such as the Sumida Mukojima Expo (an annual art festival and other events held throughout the year inside renovated wooden tenement houses), are breathing new life into the community. The historically working-class shitamachi (downtown) areas of eastern Tokyo are undergoing a creative transformation. In residential areas, fresh flowers and other offerings are constantly replenished at the miniature shrines and altars that dot the streets. More than 3 million people regularly flock to the Meiji Jingu shrine to pray at the start of the New Year, while fire rituals-accompanied by Buddhist chanting and taiko drumming-are performed daily at Fukagawa Fudo-do temple. More than mere tourist attractions, these sites continue to serve a spiritual function for locals. One of the oldest shrines dating back to the 8 th century, Kanda-myōjin is where Tokugawa Ieyasu paid his respects during the Meiji period, it became one of the 10 shrines in Tokyo given special status by the emperor. Though more modest in number and grandeur than Kyoto’s temples and shrines, Tokyo’s places of worship have played a significant cultural role throughout history. You’ll get lost in this sprawling metropolis (it’s nearly three times the size of NYC or Singapore), but that’s all part of the fun. A nexus of tradition and innovation, Tokyo never ceases to surprise.
The result is a dizzying landscape of contrasts and serendipity-Shinto shrines and sculpted gardens set amid clusters of high-rises and warrens of alleys filled with shoebox-sized bars. During World War II, air raids devastated the city, but in the decades of rebuilding and modernization that followed, Tokyo emerged as a global economic hub. In 1868, the metropolis displaced Kyoto as the capital of Japan and was renamed Tokyo. Edo-along with its prominence-grew rapidly, as the influx of feudal lords and workers gave rise to a uniquely dynamic culture. The town’s fortunes shifted after the military ruler Tokugawa Ieyasu established his base of power there in 1603. Home to almost 14 million people, Tokyo got its start as a sleepy fishing village called Edo.
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