Tokyo (disambiguation) facts for kids

Tokyo is a huge and exciting place in Japan! It's not just one city, but a massive area that includes the main city, parts of nearby areas, and even some islands in the Pacific Ocean. When people talk about Tokyo, they might mean the whole big metropolitan area, or sometimes they are talking about the Tokyo Prefecture, which is like a large state or province established in 1943.

Understanding Tokyo's History

Tokyo has a long and interesting history, changing its name and how it's organized over many years.

From Edo to Tokyo

• Before 1869: Tokyo was known as Edo. It was a very important city, especially during the time of the shogun, who was like a military ruler of Japan.
• 1869-1943: The name changed from Edo to Tokyo. During this time, it was called the Tokyo Prefecture (or Tōkei-fu).
• 1889-1943: Within the Tokyo Prefecture, there was also a specific area called "Tokyo City" (or Tokyo-shi). This was the central part of the city.

Tokyo Today: The Metropolis

• 1943-Present: Today, Tokyo is officially known as the Tokyo Metropolis (or Tokyo-to). This means it's a special kind of administrative area in Japan, combining features of both a city and a prefecture.
• The 23 Special Wards: The central part of the Tokyo Metropolis is made up of 23 special areas. These are often called the "Traditional Tokyo" or the Special wards of Tokyo. They used to be the actual "Tokyo City" before 1943, but now they function like individual cities within the larger Tokyo Metropolis.

More About Tokyo

• F.C. Tokyo is a professional football team that plays in Tokyo.