The last time Yuta visited Yokohama, it was merely a little fishing village well off the main Tokaido Highway. Kanagawa was the original location considered for a foreign-entry port, but it was deemed too close to the highway, affording foreigners access to the main road system and all of Japan. Keeping the foreigners contained aligned with the Meiji regime's plans to position Japan as an equal on the world stage.

Yokohama was relatively convenient to Tokyo. New and rebuilt ...