Tokyo is the capital city of the parliamentary democratic monarchy of Japan, the Imperial Residence with the Emperor's Palace and the seat of Government and of Parliament. Tokyo is situated in East-Central Honshu, the largest of Japan's main islands. The city lies north of the Bay of Tokyo, between the River Arakawa to the
east and the River Tama to the west.
When speaking of Tokyo it is essential to distinguish between the prefecture of Tokyo and the more circumscribed concept of Tokyo City. The prefecture, the metropolitan district of Tokyo, comprises 23 districts (or "ku"), 26 cities, seven urban districts and eight villages. Two urban districts and seven villages lie on the islands of Izu and Ogasawara which come under Tokyo for administrative purposes. The prefecture covers an area of 831sq.mi (2,410sq.km).
The cityscape in Tokyo has been changed twice in history - the 1923 earthquake and the extensive bombings during World War II. Due to this devastation, the architecture in Tokyo is mainly modern and contemporary.
Tokyo is a major international centre of finance with the the largest metropolitan gross domestic product for a city as well as the title - the world's most expensive city! It is also the largest hub for rail, ground, and air transportation in Japan. With the most extensive urban railway network in the world, Tokyo residents rely on rail for their main mode of transportation.
The cultural side of Tokyo include numerous museums, theaters, festivals, internationally noted cuisine and a number of sports. Sports clubs include baseball, sumo, football or soccer, tennis and gymnastics. The theaters feature Japanese and modern dramas, symphony orchestras, and pop and rock events.
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