Large cities in Japan
Greater Tokyo Area, Chukyo metropolitan area, and Keihanshin form the three major metropolitan areas in Japan.
A few big cities with a population of over one million and many small cities concentrate in each area.
The total population of these three areas is more than half that of Japan.
Cities in Greater Tokyo Area (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Saitama)
Tokyo (東京) is a huge city with a population of over 14 million.
It is officially "Tokyo Metropolis" which is one of the prefectures in Japan.
So, administrative "Tokyo city" does not exist.
But, the central part near Tokyo Bay is called "Special wards of Tokyo" and has a population of 10 million.
In a sense, it may be the city of Tokyo for tourists.
Incidentally, the other part of Tokyo Metropolis is called "Tama area".
There are many cities as the suburbs of central Tokyo, but the western half of Tama area is an mountainous area.
Tokyo has been the political center of Japan since 1603.
And it became the capital of modern Japan in 1868.
(Until 1868, the capital had been Kyoto for over 1,000 years.)
Tokyo is a representative place of transmission of Japanese information and culture to the world.
Many sightseeing spots are in the area.
Kokyo surrounded by moats in Tokyo
Akihabara in Tokyo
There is wide Kokyo (Imperial Palace) where the family of Tenno (Japanese Emperor) resides in the center of Tokyo.
The town of central Tokyo spreads around Kokyo, and many various downtowns are dotted within about 10 km from Kokyo.
Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, Akihabara, Asakusa, etc. are well-known to foreign tourists.
The atmosphere of the city is busy and stylish.
Everything is the standard style of Japan and there is no country atmosphere.
But traditonal places such as Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines are dotted in the city.
Kawasaki and Yokohama lie to the south of Tokyo.
Saitama lies to the north of Tokyo.
These are each big city with a population of over one million, and they are located within 20 to 30 km of central Tokyo.
But they are in the densely populated area continuing from Tokyo, so they are virtually included in the metropolitan area.
More than 100 small cities also gather around the large cities in this area.
The densely-populated area spreads within about 40 km radius from central Tokyo.
It is Greater Tokyo Area, and it has a total population of over 30 million.
A quarter of all Japanese people live in this area.
Yokohama Port
Yokohama (横浜) has developed as the outer port of Tokyo since 1859.
Now, it is the second most populated city of Japan with 3.7 million residents.
The most part of the city with large population is a commuter town for Tokyo.
But, the district around the harbor is a popular sightseeing area.
The nearest international airports to Tokyo metropolitan area are Haneda Airport and Narita Airport.
Chukyo metropolitan area (Nagoya)
Nagoya (名古屋) is the central city with a population of 2.3 million in Chukyo metropolitan area.
The densely populated area is only Nagoya city.
And, rural area with many small cities and towns spreads around Nagoya.
Tokyo and Osaka are the two biggest city areas in Japan, and Nagoya is just between them.
Nagoya is not so well-known among foreign tourists, so it is apt to be a passing point for tourist.
Nagoya Castle
In the 16th century, the area around Nagoya had produced three strong samurai warriors.
They led to unifiy the whole of Japan.
So, they are the local heroes for the people of Nagoya area.
On the way to unifying country, the base of the government was moved from Kyoto to Osaka, and finally it was placed to Edo (Tokyo).
Great Nagoya Castle was built, but Nagoya had been a mere local city in connection with the hero's family.
The city had retained many traditional buildings of the Edo and Meiji periods, but most of them including Nagoya Castle had been destroyed by U.S. air raid in 1945.
Now, Nagoya city is a big industrial city with some remaining traditional places.
The nearest international airport to Nagoya city is Chubu Airport (Central Japan International Airport) located in Tokoname city.
Cities in Keihanshin (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
Keihanshin is the abbreviation of three big cities: Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe.
The dawn of Japanese nation was around the 5th century, and the government was set up in this area.
The capital of Japan was Nara from 710 to 794.
And Kyoto was the capital from 794 to 1868.
Osaka (大阪) is the central city in western Japan and is located about 500 km west of Tokyo.
The total population is about 2.7 million after Yokohama city.
In Osaka, the function of capital was given in the 7th century for the first time in Japanese history.
After that, the capital was moved to Nara and Kyoto.
Dotonbori in Osaka
Osaka has the port and it developed as a commercial city.
After Edo (Tokyo) became the political center, Osaka became the economic center of Japan.
It is still the central city in western Japan.
The spirit of Osaka people differs from Tokyo and they are very friendly and impatient.
The town is full of such atmosphere.
Shinsaibashi, Nanba, Dotonbori, Shinsekai, etc. are the popular downtowns.
Kinkakuji in Kyoto
Kyoto (京都) is a historical city of Japan and is a popular city for tourists.
It is located about 40 km northeast of Osaka and the population is about 1.4 million.
Kyoto had been the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868.
There is the Imperial Palace where the emperors had lived.
The streets of the city were laid out at right angles and the court nobles built many Buddhist temples in the city.
Traditional houses remain and former court culture is inherited in the city.
Now, foreign visitors are rapidly increasing and the city is very crowded.
In addition, some visitors caused nuisances against good manners.
Kyoto is not "theme park".
We hope to enjoy the city peacefully.
Kobe Port
Kobe (神戸) is a port city along with Yokohama.
It is located about 30 km west of Osaka and is in Hyogo Prefecture.
The port was open for trading with foreign countries in 1868 after Yokohama.
Then, the city developed.
Many old Western-style houses in those days remain in a few district.
Kobe beef is one of highest grade beef in Japan, and it is produced around Kobe.
The nearest international airport to Keihanshin is Kansai International Airport.
Large cities in local regions
There are 12 cities with a population of over one million in Japan.
8 of 12 large cities are included in these three metropolitan areas.
Other 4 cities are dotted in local regions across the country.
These are the central cities in each region, so they are the entrance cities to travel around the regions.
Unlike three major metropolitan areas, the size of the city is not wide and it has a unique local atmosphere.
The travellers can visit there relatively easily.
Odori Park in Sapporo
Sapporo (札幌) is a central city of Hokkaido island.
The population is about 1.9 million after Nagoya.
Hokkaido was developed in the late 19th century.
So Sapporo is a relatively new city.
Because Sapporo is located in the cold area, snow covers the city from December to March.
Sapporo Snow Festival in February is famous.
And, there is a lot of nature around the city.
Osaki Hachimangu shrine in Sendai
Sendai (仙台) is a central city of Tohoku Region in the northern part of Honshu island.
The population is about 1.1 million.
A strong warlord developed the city in the 17th century.
So, there are a few gorgeous historical structers in the city.
Sendai is nicknamed the City of Trees because there are many Japanese zelkova trees lining along the main streets.
Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima
Hiroshima (広島) is a central city of Chugoku Region in the western part of Honshu island.
The population is about 1.2 million.
In 1945, the city had been destroyed perfectly in a moment by the first atomic bombing in human history.
But the city had recovered from the ruins.
You should visit the the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Street stalls in Nakasu district in Fukuoka
Fukuoka (福岡) is a central city of Kyushu island.
The population is about 1.6 million.
In the ancient times, this area had been a contact point to the Asian Continent.
The historic sites are dotted around the city.
The vigorous atmosphere of the city differs from Tokyo and Osaka.
The food culture is unique, and the streets with many food stands are popular.