Tokyo Prefecture

Tokyo (東京, Tokyo-ken), Japan’s capital and the world’s most populous metropolis, is one of the country’s 47 prefectures. It comprises 23 central wards and numerous cities, towns, and villages, including the Izu and Ogasawara Islands. Before 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo, a small castle town that rose to prominence in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established it as the nation's political center. The city was renamed Tokyo, meaning “Eastern Capital,” when the emperor relocated from Kyoto in 1868.

Today, Tokyo is a dynamic city offering endless shopping, entertainment, cultural attractions, and dining experiences. Visitors can explore its historical charm in districts like Asakusa, with its temples, museums, and traditional gardens. Despite its urban buzz, Tokyo also features lush green spaces both in the city center and its surrounding areas.