Tokyo's Suburbs: Part of Tokyo!

Oh, sure, it's got lots of people and buildings, smashed together into one of the densest concentrations on the planet. But strictly speaking, it is governed as a prefecture, not a city.

Tokyo, an oblong prefecture, consists of 23 wards in the eastern section, which makes up the heart of the city, and 29 cities, towns, and villages (these are strict desigations in Japan, depending on population) to the west. Much of this western area is quite densely populated, though parts are quite rural, with forests and mountains!

Additionally, in some of these suburban areas, there are plots of farmland in amongst houses and apartment buildings. Japan does not have the kinds of zoning regulations that would prevent this from happening in the U.S. Many of these towns (in fact, some parts of the 23 wards!) were completely farmland 50 years ago. As the urbanity sprawled, pockets of farmland were left where the owners opted not to sell out, and rice, soybeans, and other crops can still be seen in these suburban areas.

Of course, this helps those living in the 23 wards to make their case that the western suburbs are "not Tokyo." Meaning they aren't urban. Being a longtime resident of these western suburbs, however, I beg to differ! The beautiful stream running through the mountains of the town of Okutama, the farthest western suburb, may not be urban, but it's just as much Tokyo as the asphalt-suffocated business districts of Shinjuku or Shibuya wards.

Tourist maps, or maps for expat businesspeople who live in expensive downtown housing, will only show you the very central part of the 23 wards, even if they claim to be maps of "greater Tokyo." I'm not sure if this is due to an attitude that there's nothing outside of that very central area (centering on the circular JR Yamanote Line) that anyone will care about, or for some other reason. Personally, I think Japanese and foreigners alike give the western suburbs short shrift.

The tombs of the past few emperors are located in Hachioji. Some companies and many universities have moved their offices out here where the land prices are more reasonable. Animator Hayao Miyazaki recently opened a museum in Mitaka. OK, maybe we don't quite have the tourist attractions of the 23 wards, like Tokyo Tower or Meiji Shrine, but there are no scenic mountains downtown, either!

If you come to Tokyo Prefecture and get tired of asphalt, hop on the Chuo, Seibu, or Keio train lines and come out to see us in the suburbs. But leave your "Greater Tokyo" tourist map behind; we're not on it. Even though we're part of Tokyo.

Go To Page: 1 2