Tokyo (東京) is a Japanese prefecture in the Kanto region and on the island of Honshu. Contrary to popular belief, Tokyo is not itself a city, but is one of 47 Prefectures of Japan, and is often called an metropolis rather than a prefecture. Within Tokyo, there are 23 special wards of Tokyo, 26 cities of Tokyo (called shi), 5 towns and 8 villages.As of October 1, 2005, the population of Tokyo is estimated to be 12.5 million, or about 10% of Japan's total population. This makes it the largest population among all the 47 prefectures.==History==Originally named Edo, the city started to flourish after Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603. As the center of politics and culture in Japan, Edo grew into a huge city with a population of over a million by the mid-eighteenth century. Throughout this time, the Emperor resided in Kyoto, which was the formal capital of the nation. The Edo Period lasted for nearly 260 years until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, when the Tokugawa Shogunate ended and imperial rule was restored. The Emperor moved to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo. Thus, Tokyo became the capital of Japan.==Major Areas==* Akihabara* Akiruno* Akishima* Ameyoko* Asakusa* Chofu* Ebisu* Fuchu* Fussa* Ginza* Hachioji* Hamura* Harajuku* Higashikurume* Higashimurayama* Higashiyamato* Hino* Ikebukuro* Inagi* Kabukicho* Kappabashi* Kichijoji* Kiyose* Kodaira* Koenji* Koganei* Kokubunji* Komae* Kunitachi* Machida* Marunouchi* Mitaka* Musashimurayama* Musashino* Nakano* Naka-Meguro* Nihonbashi* Nishi-tokyo* Odaiba* Ome* Omotesando* Roppongi* Shibuya* Shimokitazawa* Shinjuku* Shiodome* Sugamo* Tachikawa* Tama==Tokyo Attractions==* Roppongi Hills* Tokyo Dome City* Yebisu Garden Place===Parks and Gardens===* Akatsuka Park* Akirudai Park* Fuchuunomori Park* Hamarikyu Onshi Teien * Hibiya Park* Higashi Ayase Park* Higashi Shirahige Park* Higashimurayama Chuo Park* Higashiyamato Minami Park* Hikarigaoka Park* Hirayama Joshi Park* Johoku Chuo Park* Kameido Chuo Park* Kasai Rinkai Park* Kiba Park* Kinuta Park* Kiyosumi Teien * Koganei Park* Koishikawa-Korakuen * Komiya Park* Kyu-Furukawa Teien * Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Teien * Kyu-Shibarikyu Onshi Teien * Mukojima Hyakka-en * Musashi-kokubunji Park* Musashino Park* Musashinonomori Park* Naganuma Park* Nakagawa Park* Nogawa Park* Ogunohara Park* Ohizumi Chuo Park* Ohjima Komatsugawa Park* Oyamadairi Park* Palace East Gardens* Rikugien * Rinshi No Mori Park* Roka Koshun-en Park* Ryonan Park* Sakuragaoka Park* Sarue Onshi Park* Sayama Sakai Green Road* Sengenyama Park* Shakujii Park* Shiba Park* Shinjuku Gyoen* Shinozaki Park* Soshigaya Park* Takiyama Park* Tamagawajosui Canal Green Road* Toneri Park* Tonogayato Teien * Toyama Park* Ueno Park* Ukima Park* Ukita Park* Wadabori Park* Yoyogi Koen* Zenpukuji Park===Shrines and Temples===* Meiji Shrine* Sengakuji Temple* Sensoji Temple* Yasukuni Shrine* Zojoji Temple===Miscellaneous Attractions===* Tokyo Imperial Palace* NHK Studiopark* Ryogoku* Tokyo Tower* Tsukiji Fish Market==External Links==* Tokyo Official Website (English)==Map==[mapPoint20079612216](141.4599609375,35.871246850027965)(wiki link description)()(124)[/mapPoint20079612216][mapLine1079139410](36.65079252503471,138.53759765625)(36.35052700542763,139.46044921875)(RWiki name: Default wiki name)(RTokyo name: Default tokyo name)[/mapLine1079139410][mapArea1079139417](38.19502155795572,139.998779296875)(37.779398571318765,139.647216796875)(37.457418102629376,140.020751953125)(37.814123701604466,140.306396484375)(RWiki name: Default wiki name)(RTokyo name: Default tokyo name)[/mapArea1079139417] [mapPoint107920133057][mapPoint10792013312](137.340087890625,35.43381992014202)(wiki link description)()(124)[/mapPoint10792013312][mapPoint10792013314](138.33984375,35.18278813800229)(wiki link description)()(124)[/mapPoint10792013314][/mapPoint107920133057]