Tokyo

Capital of Japan

Tokyo skyline

Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō), officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital and most populous city of Japan. Located at the head of Tokyo Bay, the prefecture forms part of the Kantō region on the central Honshu island. Tokyo is the political and economic center of Japan, as well as the seat of the Emperor of Japan and the national government.

History

Sugura street by Hiroshige

Tokyo was originally a small fishing village named Edo. The city became a prominent political center in 1603, when Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa shogunate there. Edo grew into one of the largest cities in the world by the 18th century. Following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the emperor and capital moved from Kyoto to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo, meaning "Eastern Capital."

Geography

Tokyo is located on the eastern coast of Honshu and is part of the Kantō region. The city is bordered to the east by Chiba Prefecture, to the west by Yamanashi Prefecture, to the south by Kanagawa Prefecture, and to the north by Saitama Prefecture.

Government

National Diet Building

Tokyo is governed as a "metropolitan prefecture," which combines elements of both a city and a prefecture. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government administers the 23 special wards of Tokyo, each governed as an individual city, as well as 39 municipalities in the western part of the prefecture and the Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands.

Economy

Tokyo is a major international finance center, home to the headquarters of several of the world's largest investment banks and insurance companies, and serves as a hub for Japan's transportation, publishing, electronics, and broadcasting industries. The city is considered an alpha+ world city and is one of the three "command centers" for the world economy, along with New York City and London.

Culture

Tokyo offers a vast array of cultural attractions, including numerous museums, theaters, festivals, and internationally noted cuisine. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife and shopping districts, such as Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Landmarks

Skyscrapers of Shinjuku

Tokyo is home to many iconic landmarks, including the Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, and the Rainbow Bridge.

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower

The Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower in the Shiba-koen district of Minato. At 333 meters, it is the second-tallest structure in Japan.

Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree at night

The Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower in Sumida. It became the tallest structure in Japan in 2010 and reached its full height of 634 meters in March 2011.

Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge at night

The Rainbow Bridge is a suspension bridge crossing northern Tokyo Bay between Shibaura Pier and the Odaiba waterfront development in Minato.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world, located in front of the Shibuya Station.

Transportation

Tokyo has an extensive network of public transportation, including the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway, as well as numerous Japan Railways lines. The city is also served by two major airports: Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport.

Education

Tokyo is home to many prestigious universities, including the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, and Keio University.

Related pages

• History of Tokyo
• Geography of Tokyo
• Economy of Tokyo
• Culture of Tokyo
• Transportation in Tokyo