The article is devoted to the origins of the Edo settlement, which later turned into the capital of the Tokugawa Shoguns, and today is known as Tokyo. The origin of the region dates back to the appearance of the Asakusa Temple in the 7th century and subsequently the port of Edo. The peculiarities of the economic and geographical position of Kanto were predetermined, on the one hand, by the existence of an impassable (by land and by water due to swamps and shoals) delta of the Tone-gawa River, which divided the region into western and eastern parts. On the other hand, the specifics consisted in the presence of harsh mountains and the "seven hills of the Musashino plateau", with cliffs and gorges unsuitable for development. The village of Edo in Musashi was the junction of these two elements (stone and water, mountains and swamps). The region was difficult to access, in the old days the way went roundabout through the mountain tract of "eastern mountains" Tosando. So, Musashi Province in the 7th century belonged to the jurisdiction of Tosando region. Only a further and later reorganization made the province part of the Tokaido "Eastern seas" region. Edo Castle was built in 1456-1457 by the talented fortifier Ota Dokan, who took into account both the military and economic functions of this place. Nevertheless, for a long time Edo was used only as an outpost in the eastern Kanto, without showing a tendency to turn into a political and administrative center. The situation remained the same during the "warring provinces" period, when Hojo Soun became the ruler of Kanto (with residence in Odawara Castle). Edo became a significant political and economic center only since the time of Tokugawa leyasu, when Kanto lands were transferred to him (from the 1590s and 1600s; with the involvement of all state resources).