Tokyo
東京都
Tokyo, officially called
Where is Tokyo?
Tokyo sits on the southeastern edge of the Kantō Plain in eastern Honshū, facing Tokyo Bay. Its center spreads from the Imperial Palace across uplands and low-lying “shitamachi,” while the Sumida, Arakawa, and Tama rivers flow to the bay. The land rises west into the Tama Hills and Chichibu Mountains. Tokyo borders Chiba (east), Kanagawa (south), Yamanashi (west), and Saitama (north), and lies east of Mt. Fuji, visible on clear days. Haneda Airport and Tokyo Station anchor shinkansen, rail, and expressways. The climate features dry, sunny winters and hot, humid summers.
Specialty Products of Tokyo
Tokyo’s specialties span downtown comfort foods like monjayaki and Fukagawa-meshi, classic Asakusa treats—ningyō-yaki and kaminari-okoshi—and station favorites like Tokyo Banana. In the west, Tama breweries pour local sake, while TOKYO X pork and island flavors—from Hachijōjima ashitaba to Ogasawara rum—show how “Tokyo” reaches the Pacific. For crafts, look for Edo Kiriko cut glass, Edo Komon dyeing, Edo Fūrin wind chimes, Edo Sashimono joinery, and tsumami kanzashi hairpins. Edo-mae nori culture and hands-on museums/studios make sampling and shopping easy for visitors.
Food
Monja Yaki
A savory griddle dish born in Tokyo’s old downtown; Tsukishima’s “Monja Street” is lined with specialty shops.
Fukagawa Meshi
A local rice dish with clams (asari), either simmered and poured over rice or cooked together—rooted in the Edo-period bayside fishing town of Fukagawa.
Ningyo Yaki
A classic Asakusa souvenir: small castella-like cakes baked in molds, typically filled with smooth red bean paste—though plain (no filling) versions also exist.
Kaminari Okoshi
A quintessential Asakusa treat: crisp puffed rice (or other grains) bound with a sweet syrup and pressed into bars or bites.
History of Tokyo
Tokyo’s history accelerates when warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu entered Edo in 1590 and founded the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603. As a castle town, Edo quickly expanded and by the 18th century ranked among the world’s largest cities, nurturing merchant culture—ukiyo-e prints, kabuki theater, and foods like sushi and tempura. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Edo was renamed Tokyo (“eastern capital”), the Emperor moved into the former Edo Castle (today’s Imperial Palace), and the city became the stage for Japan’s modern nation-building.
Tokyo suffered devastating blows in the 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake and the 1945 air raids, but postwar recovery and high-growth decades rebuilt the metropolis. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics symbolized modernization; in 1943, Tokyo City and Tokyo Prefecture merged to form the Tokyo Metropolis. After the 1980s asset bubble and waterfront redevelopment, the city weathered the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and hosted the COVID-delayed Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021—today standing where tradition and cutting-edge innovation meet.
Access to Tokyo
From overseas, Tokyo is served by Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT). Haneda is closer to the city and good for domestic connections. From Haneda, take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsuchō (JR) or Keikyu to Shinagawa/Asakusa Line. From Narita, the JR Narita Express runs to Tokyo/Shinjuku/Yokohama, and Keisei Skyliner goes to Nippori/Ueno. From other parts of Japan, the shinkansen is the easiest: Tōkaidō (Nagoya–Kyoto–Osaka), Tōhoku (Sendai–Aomori), Jōetsu (Niigata), and Hokuriku (Kanazawa) serve Tokyo, Ueno, and Shinagawa. Long-distance buses and domestic flights are also options.
Within Tokyo, rail is king. The JR Yamanote Line loops key districts, with JR Chūō/Sōbu lines, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway, plus private railways (Tōkyū, Odakyū, Keio, Seibu, Tōbu, Keisei, Keikyu) covering the rest. Suica and PASMO IC cards (including mobile versions) work across almost all trains, subways, and buses. Ferries/water buses and taxis fill the gaps. Peak crowd times are roughly 7:30–9:30 and 17:00–19:30; most last trains are around midnight. Visitors can save with the Tokyo Subway Ticket (24/48/72 hours).
About Tokyo
Tokyo, officially called Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan and the center of politics, economy, and culture.
It is one of Japan’s 47 prefectures, but unlike others, it is classified as a “Metropolis” (to in Japanese), giving it a special administrative status.
Here you can find the National Diet Building, the Prime Minister’s Office, and many embassies, making Tokyo the heart of Japan’s national affairs.
How Japanese People See Tokyo
For Japanese people, Tokyo is the city of trends and innovation. New ideas, fashion, and culture often spread nationwide from here.
At the same time, Tokyo is also known for being “expensive,” “crowded,” and “hard to live in.” Many people love visiting, but opinions about living there are mixed, especially among those who grew up in the countryside.
Unique Features
Tokyo is a city where tradition and modern life blend together.
In Asakusa, you can visit the famous Sensō-ji Temple, while in Ueno you’ll find museums and cultural institutions. On the other hand, Shibuya and Shinjuku are hotspots for nightlife, shopping, and the latest entertainment.
Akihabara is world-famous as the mecca of anime, manga, and gaming culture, attracting fans from around the globe.
Tokyo is also a very international city, home to many foreign residents and a top destination for tourists.
Transportation
Tokyo’s public transportation system is one of the most advanced in the world.
The JR Yamanote Line circles central Tokyo, connecting to countless private railways, subways, and bus lines that make it easy to get almost anywhere.
Rush-hour crowds are intense, but the punctuality and frequency of trains often leave a strong impression on international visitors.
Areas
Discover the unique areas within this prefecture
