Tokyo

Tokyo (東京; Tōkyō  ^listen, literally "eastern capital"), is located in the Kanto region on the island of Honshu in Japan. It is counted as one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and commonly referred to as the capital of Japan with the government of Japan and the Emperor of Japan residing in Chiyoda Ward. With a population of over 12 million, or about 10 percent of Japan's population, it is by far the country's most populous and most densely populated prefecture.

Although Tokyo is considered one of the major cities of the world, it is technically not a city. There is no city named "Tokyo." Tokyo is actually designated as a "metropolis" (都 -to), similar to a prefecture (県 -ken), consisting of 23 special wards (区 -ku), 26 cities (市 -shi), 5 towns (町 -cho or machi), and 8 villages (村 -son or mura) each having a local government. It includes outlying islands in the Pacific Ocean as far as over 1,000 km south in the subtropics. Tokyo itself is headed by a publicly-elected governor (not mayor).

Over 8 million live within the 23 self-governing, special wards comprising "central Tokyo" which defines Tokyo for most people. The daytime population swells by over 2.5 million with workers and students commuting from neighboring prefectures. The total population of the three central wards of Chiyoda, Chuo, and Minato is less than 300,000 at night, but balloons to over 2 million during the day.

Being the nation's center of politics, business, finance, education, mass media, and pop culture, Tokyo has the country's highest concentration of corporate headquarters, financial institutions, universities and colleges, museums, theaters, and shopping and entertainment establishments. It boasts a highly developed public transportation system with numerous train and subway lines, buses, and a convenient airport at Haneda with more runways than Narita International Airport.

This extreme concentration is both a boon and bane, prompting an ongoing debate over moving the nation's capital to another region. There is also a great fear of a catastrophic earthquake striking Tokyo, which may in effect cripple the entire nation. Nevertheless, Tokyo continues to attract people from all over Japan and many countries, making a substantial portion of the population non-native to Tokyo and making it a great place to meet people from all over the country and the world.

Government

Although it is counted as one of the 47 prefectures of Japan, it is technically not a prefecture.

Tokyo has an administrative structure unique among the prefectures of Japan. It is officially designated as a "metropolis" (都 to). Although it generally resembles a prefecture, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government also offers partial city government functions to the 23 special wards included in the heart of Tokyo, with a combined population of over 8 million and an area of 621.3 km². In addition to the special wards, Tokyo administers twenty-six suburban cities to the west, and a number of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Metropolitan Government's main offices (tochō) are located in the ward of Shinjuku.

History

Currently under revision. See: Main article: History of Tokyo

Geography

Tokyo is located to the northwest of Tokyo Bay, about 90 km east to west and 25 km north to south. It borders Chiba Prefecture to the east, Yamanashi Prefecture to the west, Kanagawa Prefecture to the south, and Saitama Prefecture to the north. It also consists of islands in the Pacific Ocean directly south. The Izu Islands are closest, while the Ogasawara Islands stretch over 1,000 km away from mainland Japan.

Tokyo is also part of the Greater Tokyo Area, which includes the surrounding prefectures of Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba. It is one the great population centers of the world.

Tokyo consists of the following 23 special wards, 26 cities, 5 towns, and 8 villages:

23 special wards

Each ward (ku) is a local municipality with its own elected mayors and assemblies but differs from ordinary cities in that certain governmental functions are handled by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

As of September 1, 2003 the total population of the 23 wards was about 8.34 million, with a population density of 13,416 persons per square kilometer.

Cities

West of the 23 wards, Tokyo consists of cities (shi), which enjoy a similar legal status to cities elsewhere in Japan. While serving a role as "bed towns" for those working in central Tokyo, some of these cities also have a local commercial and industrial base. Collectively, these cities are often known as "West Tokyo."

Districts, towns, and villages

The far west is occupied by the district (gun) of Nishitama. Much of this area is mountainous and unsuitable for urbanization. The highest mountain in Tokyo, Mount Kumotori, is 2,017 m high; other mountains in Tokyo include Mount Takasu (1737 m), Mount Odake (1266 m), and Mount Mitake (929 m). Lake Okutama, on the Tama River near Yamanashi Prefecture, is Tokyo's largest lake.

• Hinode
• Mizuho
• Okutama
• Hinohara Village

Islands

Tokyo's outlying islands extend as far as 1,300 km from central Tokyo. Because of the islands' distance from the city, they are locally run by branches of the metropolitan government. Most of the islands are classified as villages.

Izu Islands

• Oshima – Islands of Kozushima, Niijima, Oshima, and Toshima.
• Miyake – Islands of Mikurajima and Miyakejima (main town: Miyake).
• Hachijo – Islands of Aogashima and Hachijojima (main town: Hachijo).

Ogasawara Islands

• Ogasawara – Ogasawara includes, from north to south, Chichjima, Nishinoshima, Hahajima, Kita Iwo Jima, Iwo Jima, and Minami Iwo Jima. Also includes two tiny outlying islands: Minami Torishima, the easternmost point in Japan, and Oki no Torishima, the southernmost point in Japan. The Iwo chain and the outlying islands are mostly uninhabited, but there are small local populations on the three islands closer to Honshu.

National Parks

There are two national parks in West Tokyo: Chichibu-Tama National Park, located in Nishitama and spilling over into Yamanashi and Saitama Prefectures, and Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park, located around Mount Takao to the south of Hachioji.

South of Tokyo is the Ogasawara National Park.

Major Districts

The center of Tokyo is the Imperial Palace, the former site of Edo Castle. The term "central Tokyo" today may refer to either the area within the looping Yamanote train line or to Tokyo's 23 special wards (ku) covering about 621 square kilometers, the most densely-populated area of Tokyo.

There are a number of major urban centers where business, shopping, and entertainment are concentrated. They all center around a major train station where multiple train lines operate.

• Shinjuku – Tokyo's capital where the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is located. It is best known for Tokyo's early skyscrapers since the early 1970s. Major department stores, camera and computer stores, and hotels can be found. On the east side of Shinjuku Station, Kabuki-cho is notorious for its many bars and nightclubs.
• Marunouchi and Otemachi – The main financial and business district of Tokyo has many headquarters of banks, trading companies, and other major businesses. The area is seeing a major redevelopment with new buildings for shopping and entertainment constructed in front of Tokyo Station's Marunouchi side.
• Ginza and Yurakucho – Major shopping and entertainment district with department stores, upscale shops selling brand-name goods, and movie theaters.
• Shinbashi – By being the gateway to Odaiba and having the new Shiodome Shiosite complex of high-rise buildings, this area has been effectively revitalized.
• Shinagawa – In addition to the major hotels on the west side of Shinagawa Station, the former sleepy east side of the station has been redeveloped as a major center for business.
• Shibuya – A longtime center of shopping, fashion, and entertainment, especially for the younger set.
• Ikebukuro – Anchored by the Sunshine City (which was once Tokyo's tallest building) hotel and shopping complex, this is another area where people gather due to the various train lines shooting out of Ikebukuro Station.
• Ueno – Ueno Station serves areas north of Tokyo from where many people commute. Besides department stores and shops in Ameyoko, Ueno boasts Ueno Park, Ueno Zoo, and major national museums. In spring, Ueno Park and adjacent Shinobazu Pond are prime places to view cherry blossoms.
• Odaiba – A large, reclaimed, waterfront area that has become one of Tokyo's most popular shopping and entertainment districts.
• Kinshicho – Major shopping and entertainment area in eastern Tokyo.
• Kichijoji – Major shopping and entertainment area in western Tokyo.

Also see Tourism below.

Economy

Currently under revision.

Demographics

Population

By area (as of Oct. 1, 2003)

• All of Tokyo: 12.36 million
• 23 special wards: 8.34 million
• Tama area: 4 million
• Islands: 27,000

By age (As of Jan. 1, 2003):

• Juveniles (0–14): 1.433 million (12%)
• Working population (15–64): 8.507 million (71.4%)
• Aged population (65+): 2.057 million (16.6%)

By time (As of 2000)

• Nighttime: 12.017 million
• Daytime: 14.667 million

By nationality

• Foreign residents: 354,000 (as of Oct. 1, 2003)

Transportation

Tokyo is Japan's largest domestic and international hub for rail, ground, and air transportation. Public transportation within Tokyo is also unsurpassed in the world with clean and efficient train and subway lines and buses.

Airports

• Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) – Mainly for domestic flights.
• Narita International Airport (Narita, Chiba) – Major gateway for international travelers.
• Chofu Airport in Chofu City – Handles commuter flights to the Izu islands.
• Oshima Airport – Oshima island
• Hachijojima Airport – Hachijo island
• Miyakejima Airport – Miyake island
• Tokyo Heliport – Koto Ward

Railways

Rail is the primary mode of transportation in Tokyo (and Japan).

• East Japan Railway Company (JR East) – Operates Tokyo's largest train network including the Yamanote Line loop, the Keihin-Tohoku Line between Saitama and Yokohama, the Chuo Line to West Tokyo, and the Sobu Line to Chiba. It also provides the Shinkansen bullet train lines and the Tokyo Monorail, one of the world's most commercially successful monorail lines. The Tsukuba Express, scheduled to open in August, 2005, will link Akihabara Station with Tsukuba.
• Keihin Kyuko Electric Railway
• Keisei Electric Railway – Operates out of Ueno Station.
• Keio Electric Railway – Operates out of Shinjuku Station.
• Odakyu Electric Railway – Operates out of Shinjuku Station.
• Seibu Railway – Operates out of Shinjuku Station and Ikebukuro Station.
• Tobu Railway – Operates out of Ikebukuro Station.
• Tokyo Kyuko Electric Railway (Tokyu) – Operates out of Shibuya Station.
• Arakawa streetcar line – Tokyo's sole streetcar line.

Subways

If you can't get there by train, you can probably get there by subway. Tokyo's subway system is unsurpassed in the world. It is also integrated with many train lines for convenient transfers between the subway and trains.

• Tokyo Metro (formerly Eidan) – Operates Japan's largest subway network.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei subway lines) – Tokyo Metropolitan Government also operates subways

Buses

The metropolitan government operates Toei buses mainly within the 23 special wards while private bus companies operate other bus routes. Bus transportation is convenient for places far from the train or subway stations. Most bus routes stop or terminate at a train or subway station, and they can be quite complicated with no signs in English. The Toei buses charge 200 yen per ride which you pay when you board. Other buses may charge according to distance, and you pay when you get off.

Others

• Taxis – Available along most major streets. Starting fare is about 650 yen.
• Streetcars – Once a common sight before subways and buses came to fore, streetcar lines have shrunk to only one route called the Toden Arakawa Line plying the route between Waseda and Minowabashi.
• Ferries/Boats – Long-distance ferries operated by Tokai Kisen go to outlying islands such as the Ogasawara Islands and Izu Islands. River boats on the Sumida River operate between Asakusa and Kasai Rinkai Park, mainly for tourists.
• Expressways – Many expressways converge at Tokyo including the Tomei Expressway, Chuo Expressway, Kan'etsu National Expressway, Ken-ō Expressway, Tokyo Gaikan Expressway, Daisan Keihin Highway, and Keiyo Highway.

Tourism

Tokyo has many tourist attractions. It would take weeks to see all the major ones. Thanks to a very convenient train and subway system (with signs in English), it is easy to visit most of these attractions. Here are only some of them (random order).

Shrines, temples, and castles

The Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Sensoji Temple are the three most popular ones in Tokyo.

• Imperial Palace – Home of the Emperor and Crown Prince and their families.
• Sensoji in Asakusa
• Meiji Shrine – Dedicated to Emperor Meiji
• Akasaka Palace
• Yasukuni Shrine
• Zojoji
• Tsukiji Honganji Temple – Tokyo headquarters of the Jodo Shinshu Nishi Honganji Buddhist sect.
• Gokokuji Temple

Festivals and events

Tokyo holds many festivals large and small throughout the year.

• Spring (March-May)

• Kanda Festival
• Sanja Festival in Asakusa

• Summer (June-Aug.)

• Koenji Awa Odori
• Asakusa Samba Festival
• Sumida Fireworks in Asakusa and Sumida Ward
• Fukagawa Hachiman Festival

• Fall (Sept.-Nov.)

• Tokyo Jidai Festival in Asakusa

• Winter (Dec.-Feb.)

• Hatsumode New Year's Prayers at Meiji Shrine, Sensoji, and other major shrines and temples
• Dezome-shiki Fireman's Parade at Tokyo Big Sight
• Setsubun at Sensoji and other major temples

• Others

• Grand Sumo Tournaments in Jan., May, and Sept. at the Ryogoku Kokugikan
• Tsukiji fish market

Parks and gardens

Flowers

• Plum blossoms (Feb.-March) – Yoshino Baigo in Ome, Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden, Hanegi Park in Umegaoka
• Cherry blossoms (Late March-early April) – Ueno Park and Shinobazu Pond, Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Inokashira Park in Kichijoji, Chidorigafuchi Imperial Palace moat near the Budokan, Aoyama Cemetery, Sumida Park and River near Asakusa, International Christian University
• Wisteria (Late April-early May) – Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Koto Ward
• Azaleas (Late April-early May) – Nezu Shrine, East Garden of the Imperial Palace, Shiofune Kannon Temple in Ome
• Irises (early-mid June) – Meiji Shrine, Horikiri Iris Garden
• Hydrangeas (June-July) – Takahata Fudo Temple, Hino

Scenic views

• Tokyo Tower
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory
• Rainbow Bridge walkway
• Sunshine City Observatory in Ikebukuro
• Fuji TV Headquarters Observatory in Odaiba

Shopping and entertainment

Tokyo has various shopping districts famous for specific products. Akihabara is well-known for electronics stores, Shinjuku for camera and book shops, Ginza for department stores and luxury goods, Shibuya and Harajuku for teenage fashion, and Jimbocho for used (and new) books.

See also: Tourism in Japan

Prefectural symbols

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government uses a gingko leaf design in iron fences along streets, Toei metropolitan buses, and other facilities they own or operate.

Among tourists, the Nijubashi at the Imperial Palace, the National Diet Building, the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) housing the big red paper lantern at Sensoji in Asakusa, the skyscrapers at Shinjuku, and the neon signs at night in Ginza are the most popular symbols that come to mind.

There are other major landmarks like Tokyo Tower, the Rainbow Bridge, the State Guest-House in the Akasaka Imperial Palace, and Tokyo Station, but no one really thinks of them when they think of Tokyo.

Culture

Museums

Tokyo has numerous museums and art galleries. This is only some of them.

• Tokyo National Museum
• National Museum of Western Art
• Edo-Tokyo Museum
• Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
• Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
• Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in Kiba
• Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
• Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography in Ebisu Garden Place
• Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
• Tokyo Bunka Kaikan
• Kokugikan Sumo Museum
• Fukagawa-Edo Museum in Koto Ward
• Japanese Sword Museum
• Tokyo Opera City
• Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills

Theaters

• Kabuki-za
• National Noh Theater (Kokuritsu Nohgaku-do)
• National Theatre (Kokuritsu Gekijo)

Modern architecture

• Tokyo Tower
• Rainbow Bridge
• National Diet Building
• Yoyogi Olympic Pool
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government
• Tokyo Big Sight
• Tokyo Station red brick building
• Tokyo International Forum

Fashion

• Omotesando – Fashion capital of Japan.
• Harajuku – Street fashion capital of Japan.
• Shibuya – Teen fashion capital of Japan.

Tokyo in popular media

As the largest city in Japan and the location of the country's largest broadcasters and studios, Tokyo is frequently the setting for Japanese movies, television shows, animated series (anime), and comic books (manga). The most well-known outside Japan may be the kaiju (monster movie) genre, in which landmarks of Tokyo are routinely destroyed. Many comic books and animated series set in Tokyo, such as Sailor Moon, Ranma 1/2, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, have become popular across the world as well.

Some Hollywood directors have turned to Tokyo as a filming location. Well-known examples from the postwar era include Tokyo Joe, My Geisha, and the James Bond film You Only Live Twice; well-known contemporary examples include Kill Bill and Lost in Translation.

For a more complete list, see: List of movies, manga, anime, and television shows that take place in Tokyo

Education

Being the nation's center of education, Tokyo boasts many universities, junior colleges, and vocational schools. Many of Japan's most prestigious universities are in Tokyo. The most prestigious is the University of Tokyo. Other big-name schools include Keio University, Hitotsubashi University, and Waseda University.

Tokyo also has a few universities well-known for classes instructed in English. They include International Christian University, Sophia University, and Temple University Japan.

Universities in Tokyo

National Universities

• Ochanomizu University
• University of Electro-Communications
• Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
• Tokyo Gakugei University
• Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
• Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku
• Tokyo Institute of Technology
• University of Tokyo
• Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Hitotsubashi University

Public University

• Tokyo Metropolitan University

Private Universities

Professional sports

Tokyo is home to two professional baseball clubs, the Yakult Swallows (Meiji Jingu Stadium) and Yomiuri Giants (Tokyo Dome).

The Japan Sumo Association is also headquartered in Tokyo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena where three official sumo tournaments are held annually (in January, May, and September).

Football (soccer) clubs in Tokyo include FC Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy 1969, both of which play at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu.

With a number of world-class sports venues, Tokyo often hosts national and international sporting events such as tennis tournaments, swim meets, marathons, American football exhibition games, judo, karate, etc.

Miscellaneous topics

Sister cities

• Beijing, People's Republic of China
• Berlin, Germany
• Cairo, Egypt
• Jakarta, Indonesia
• Moscow, Russia
• New South Wales, Australia
• New York City, New York, United States
• Paris, France
• Rome, Italy
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Seoul, South Korea

In addition, many of the wards and cities within Tokyo maintain sister-city relationships with other foreign cities

External links

• Official Tokyo Metropolitan Government homepage
• Travel guide to Tokyo from Wikitravel
• Tokyo Travel Guide
• Metropolis English city guide for Tokyo, Japan

References