Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Tokyo Prefecture (東京都)
Tokyo Prefecture (東京都) is located in the Kanto region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Tokyo (Shinjuku) and primary transport gateway at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND). Spanning 63 cities, towns, and villages, Tokyo is renowned for 23 historic & futuristic special wards (Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza) plus leafy Western Tokyo Tama cities (Kichijoji/Musashino, Mitaka, Tachikawa, Hachioji/Mount Takao).
| Tokyo Prefecture (東京都) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Kanto · Capital: Tokyo (Shinjuku) |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) |
| Municipalities Covered | 63 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Tokyo (東京特別区部), Setagaya (世田谷区), Nerima (練馬区), Ōta (大田区), Edogawa (江戸川区) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | Edomae nigiri sushi, Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen, Monjayaki (Tsukishima), Tempura & tonkatsu, Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Tokyo Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Tokyo (Shinjuku) or planning regional day trips from Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND), these top municipalities in Tokyo Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Tokyo (東京特別区部) — Metropolis (pop. 9,878,284, 627.51 km²) served by Tochōmae Station (都庁前駅) (0.1 km); key local sights include Senso-ji Temple & Asakusa (浅草寺), Meiji Jingu Shrine (明治神宮), Tokyo Imperial Palace & East Gardens (皇居東御苑).
- Setagaya (世田谷区) — Special ward of Tokyo (pop. 939,099, 58.08 km²) served by Setagaya Station (世田谷駅) (0.4 km); key local sights include Shōin Jinja (0.2 km), Hanegi Kōen (1.4 km), Shōtoku Ji (3.1 km).
- Nerima (練馬区) — Special ward of Tokyo (pop. 744,026, 48.16 km²) served by Nerima Station (練馬駅) (0.4 km); key local sights include Nanzō In (0.7 km), Aizen In (2.2 km), Nōman Ji (2.4 km).
- Ōta (大田区) — Special ward of Tokyo (pop. 716,413, 59.46 km²) served by Kamata Station (蒲田駅) (0.1 km); key local sights include Seiran Ji (0.4 km), Shinjuku Inari (0.4 km), Onazuka Jinja (0.6 km).
- Edogawa (江戸川区) — Special ward of Tokyo (pop. 661,386, 49.86 km²) served by Edogawa Station (江戸川駅) (4.4 km); key local sights include Shinozaki Kōen (1.5 km), Ichinoe Bashi (0.3 km), Tokugan Ji (3.5 km).
- Adachi (足立区) — Special ward of Tokyo (pop. 629,392, 53.20 km²) served by Nishiarai Station (西新井駅) (1.1 km); key local sights include Hikawa Jinja (4.4 km), Kojiya Kōen (3.2 km), Jissō Ji (5.4 km).
How to get to Tokyo Prefecture
Direct international flights into Haneda (HND, 20m from center) and Narita (NRT, 40–60m); connected to all JR East & JR Central Shinkansen lines plus JR Chuo Line to West Tokyo. Once at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND), JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 63 municipalities in Tokyo. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Tokyo
When visiting cities across Tokyo, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Edomae nigiri sushi — regional culinary specialty across Tokyo Prefecture (東京都).
- Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen — regional culinary specialty across Tokyo Prefecture (東京都).
- Monjayaki (Tsukishima) — regional culinary specialty across Tokyo Prefecture (東京都).
- Tempura & tonkatsu — regional culinary specialty across Tokyo Prefecture (東京都).
- Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets — regional culinary specialty across Tokyo Prefecture (東京都).
Best time to visit Tokyo
Late March–early April for cherry blossoms; October–early December for crisp blue skies and golden ginkgo avenues; vibrant year-round indoors and out.
All 63 cities & municipalities in Tokyo Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hachiōji 八王子市 | Core city | 567,367 | 186.31 km² | City guide → |
| Tachikawa 立川市 | City | 175,639 | 24.38 km² | City guide → |
| Musashino 武蔵野市 | City | 138,516 | 10.73 km² | City guide → |
| Mitaka 三鷹市 | City | 180,797 | 16.50 km² | City guide → |
| Ōme 青梅市 | City | 141,708 | 103.26 km² | City guide → |
| Fuchū 府中市 | City | 248,445 | 29.34 km² | City guide → |
| Akishima 昭島市 | City | 111,763 | 17.33 km² | City guide → |
| Chōfu 調布市 | City | 219,053 | 21.53 km² | City guide → |
| Machida 町田市 | City | 413,786 | 71.63 km² | City guide → |
| Koganei 小金井市 | City | 115,116 | 11.33 km² | City guide → |
| Kodaira 小平市 | City | 185,829 | 20.46 km² | City guide → |
| Hino 日野市 | City | 179,482 | 27.53 km² | City guide → |
| Higashimurayama 東村山市 | City | 146,585 | 17.17 km² | City guide → |
| Kokubunji 国分寺市 | City | 118,801 | 11.48 km² | City guide → |
| Kunitachi 国立市 | City | 73,362 | 8.15 km² | City guide → |
| Fussa 福生市 | City | 60,413 | 10.24 km² | City guide → |
| Komae 狛江市 | City | 78,237 | 6.39 km² | City guide → |
| Higashiyamato 東大和市 | City | 81,445 | 13.54 km² | City guide → |
| Kiyose 清瀬市 | City | 73,518 | 10.19 km² | City guide → |
| Higashikurume 東久留米市 | City | 115,405 | 12.92 km² | City guide → |
| Musashimurayama 武蔵村山市 | City | 68,333 | 15.37 km² | City guide → |
| Tama 多摩市 | City | 149,404 | 21.08 km² | City guide → |
| Inagi 稲城市 | City | 80,772 | 17.97 km² | City guide → |
| Hamura 羽村市 | City | 56,984 | 9.91 km² | City guide → |
| Akiruno あきる野市 | City | 80,268 | 73.34 km² | City guide → |
| Nishitōkyō 西東京市 | City | 207,270 | 15.85 km² | City guide → |
| Tokyo 東京特別区部 | Metropolis | 9,878,284 | 627.51 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Adachi 足立区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 629,392 | 53.20 km² | City guide → |
| Arakawa 荒川区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 194,777 | 10.20 km² | City guide → |
| Bunkyō 文京区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 194,933 | 11.31 km² | City guide → |
| Chiyoda 千代田区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 43,802 | 11.64 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Chūō 中央区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 104,997 | 10.15 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Edogawa 江戸川区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 661,386 | 49.86 km² | City guide → |
| Itabashi 板橋区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 529,059 | 32.17 km² | City guide → |
| Katsushika 葛飾区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 428,066 | 34.84 km² | City guide → |
| Kita 北区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 330,646 | 20.59 km² | City guide → |
| Kōtō 江東区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 436,337 | 39.80 km² | City guide → |
| Meguro 目黒区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 267,798 | 14.70 km² | City guide → |
| Minato 港区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 205,196 | 20.34 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Nakano 中野区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 312,939 | 15.59 km² | City guide → |
| Nerima 練馬区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 744,026 | 48.16 km² | City guide → |
| Ōta 大田区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 716,413 | 59.46 km² | City guide → |
| Setagaya 世田谷区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 939,099 | 58.08 km² | City guide → |
| Shibuya 渋谷区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 205,512 | 15.11 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Shinagawa 品川区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 353,887 | 22.72 km² | City guide → |
| Shinjuku 新宿区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 309,463 | 18.23 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Suginami 杉並区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 534,981 | 34.02 km² | City guide → |
| Sumida 墨田区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 237,433 | 13.75 km² | City guide → |
| Taitō 台東区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 168,277 | 10.08 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Toshima 豊島区 | Special ward of Tokyo | 256,009 | 13.01 km² | City guide → |
| Toshima Village 利島村 | Village (村) | 306 | 13.01 km² | City guide → |
| Okutama 奥多摩町 | Town (町) | 5,658 | 225.53 km² | City guide → |
| Niijima 新島村 | Village (村) | 2,933 | 27.54 km² | City guide → |
| Mizuho 瑞穂町 | Town (町) | 33,904 | 16.85 km² | City guide → |
| Miyake 三宅村 | Village (村) | 2,738 | 55.27 km² | City guide → |
| Mikurajima 御蔵島村 | Village (村) | 315 | 20.54 km² | City guide → |
| Kōzushima 神津島村 | Village (村) | 1,968 | 18.58 km² | City guide → |
| Hinohara 檜原村 | Village (村) | 2,461 | 105.41 km² | City guide → |
| Hinode 日の出町 | Town (町) | 16,932 | 28.07 km² | City guide → |
| Hachijō 八丈町 | Town (町) | 8,016 | 72.24 km² | City guide → |
| Aogashima 青ヶ島村 | Village (村) | 170 | 5.96 km² | City guide → |
| Ogasawara 小笠原村 | Village (村) | 2,584 | 104.35 km² | City guide → |
| Ōshima 大島町 | Town (町) | 6,923 | 90.76 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Tokyo Prefecture (東京都)?
Top highlights across Tokyo Prefecture (東京都) in Japan's Kanto region include 23 historic & futuristic special wards (Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza) plus leafy Western Tokyo Tama cities (Kichijoji/Musashino, Mitaka, Tachikawa, Hachioji/Mount Takao). Major cities and sightseeing bases in Tokyo include Tokyo (東京特別区部), Setagaya (世田谷区), Nerima (練馬区), Ōta (大田区), Edogawa (江戸川区).
How do I get to Tokyo Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Tokyo Prefecture is Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) (prefectural capital: Tokyo (Shinjuku)). Direct international flights into Haneda (HND, 20m from center) and Narita (NRT, 40–60m); connected to all JR East & JR Central Shinkansen lines plus JR Chuo Line to West Tokyo. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Tokyo Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Tokyo Prefecture (東京都) include Edomae nigiri sushi, Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen, Monjayaki (Tsukishima), Tempura & tonkatsu, Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets—served at station restaurants around Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND), local morning markets, and izakaya in Tokyo (Shinjuku) and Setagaya.
When is the best time of year to visit Tokyo Prefecture?
Late March–early April for cherry blossoms; October–early December for crisp blue skies and golden ginkgo avenues; vibrant year-round indoors and out. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.