The city of Yokohama became Japan's largest port and, at the same time, Japan's second largest city with nearly 3.7 million inhabitants. The city opened for trade in 1858 and was the first to be connected by rail to Tōkyō. By now, the city has become a huge industrial city, specializing in the chemical and oil industries but also in steel and automobiles. Yokohama is now part of the greater Tōkyō, as nothing really separates it from the capital. The capital of Kanagawa province, it is distinguished from Tōkyō by its extensive port activities and wide avenues that invite strolling. The waterfront is very well laid out and offers very nice walks, especially after dark. Entertainment is also omnipresent.History. Until 1853, the village of Yokohama had only a few hundred inhabitants, mostly fishermen. After the signing of the trade treaty between the Americans ( Commodore Perry) and the shōgun Iemochi Tokugawa, the Americans chose the port of Yokohama on their return in 1854 to await the shōgun 's response to the letter sent by the president of the United States, requesting the opening of Japanese ports to foreign trade. The port developed rapidly from 1859 onwards, and the growth of trade ensured the city's growth and enrichment. The Japanese decided to install foreign concessions in the port of Yokohama by dividing the city into two parts. One of them, Kannai, includes a certain number of canals which welcome the residences of foreigners.In 1889, Yokohama had 120,000 inhabitants, but its development was halted by the great earthquake of 1923. Among the ruins of the city, which was completely devastated, more than 25,000 people died and more than 120,000 houses were destroyed. Yokohama resumed its growth in 1925 to reach 400,000 inhabitants, then 850,000 in 1938.The first railway to the capital was built in Yokohama. The first English-language weekly newspaper was soon published there, as well as the first Japanese daily, the Yokohama Shimbun. Yokohama was also home to the first brewery and butcher shops, and the first Japanese-English dictionary was published there.In addition, Western sports were able to enter Japan through the Yokohama port. But the most important factor in the development of the city has long been the silk trade. From 5,000 bales in 1870 to 400,000 in 1929 and 600,000 before World War II.More information. www.yokohamajapan.com/fr/

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