Greater Tokyo Area

The Greater Tokyo Area (東京圏 Tōkyō-ken), also the Tokyo-Yokohama area, is a large metropolitan area in Japan consisting of the prefectures of Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama.

The Greater Tokyo area is the largest metropolitan area in the world by population (33,418,366 in 2000), and one of the largest in terms of built-up or urban function landmass at around 1,700 to 2,000 sq.mi. (estimates vary with growth now occurring in the Tama region and north of Saitama).

While the four-prefecture definition above is the most common, the Japan Statistics Bureau uses the alternative definition of the area within 50 kilometers of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices in Shinjuku, resulting in a lower population estimate of 30,724,000. [1]

Prefectures

• Chiba Prefecture
• Kanagawa Prefecture
• Saitama Prefecture
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government

Cities

Major cities

• Chiba
• Yokohama
• Kawasaki
• Saitama

Cities in Tokyo

Tokyo is not a city. It contains 23 wards, subdivisions with the status of cities. A list of these, together with a description of their governmental status, is available at 23 special wards.

In addition, Tokyo contains many cities. The following cities are in Tokyo:

Cities outside Tokyo

These cities are in Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama Prefectures:

Transportation

Airports

Major airports:

• Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
• Narita International Airport

Airbases:

• The United States Air Force operates Yokota Air Base in Tokyo.
• The United States Navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Forces jointly operate Atsugi airbase in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Railways

• East Japan Railway Company (JR East)
• Keihin Kyuko Electric Railway
• Keisei Electric Railway
• Keio Electric Railway
• Seibu Railway
• Tobu Railway
• Tokyo Kyuko Electric Railway (Tokyu)
• Tokyo Metro (formerly Eidan)
• Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei and Toden lines)