Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station, a major train base, first opened in 1914. The first railway in Japan, however, had actually been built 42 years before, running between Shinbashi and Yokohama. The reason for this belated development was the financial difficulties the government faced, allowing private railway companies to enter the railway market. Consequently, there were no plans to connect such private company railways as a transportation network for the city.
However, in order to extend the route to the Tohoku area as part of urban planning efforts in Tokyo, the openings of Shinbashi and Ueno Stations became urgent. As a result, construction of Tokyo Station was finally able to commence.
For the design of the station building, well-known architect Kingo Tatsuno was hired by the city. He is considered to represent that era’s aesthetics as he had a hand in designing a number of large Western-style buildings that blend well into the Japanese landscape.
Later, the third floor of the station building would be destroyed by air raids during World War II, but it was quickly repaired and converted into a two-story building.
Today, all the Shinkansen, or bullet trains, meet in Tokyo Station, as it is the terminal connecting every corner of the mainland. In 2013, the main building underwent a massive restoration to its former red-brick glory.
During Tokyo Michiterasu, a year-end festive event, the majestic and beautifully lit-up Tokyo Station is the talk of the town. In addition, part of the station building also houses traditional and boutique hotels, offering a luxurious escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.