World > Asia > Japan > Kanto

 
Japan Kanto Region

which includes such key cities as Tokyo, Yokohama, Kawasaki, and Chiba, is the most populous region of Japan. The hub of the region-the Tokyo-Yokohama district- is the core of Japan's commerce and industry. The Keihin Industrial Zone and the Keiyo Industrial Region, extending along the shore of the Tokyo Bay, form the largest industrial zone of Japan.
The satellite suburbs, within about a 2 hours' commuting distance from downtown Tokyo, are expanding, resulting in the urbanization of a large portion of the Kanto region. Though agricultural activity has decreased in general, it is still thriving in the areas to the east and north, and contributes to the region's economy.
Tokyo is the capital of Japan. Nearly 8.2 million workers work in Tokyo's 765,600 enterprises. It is home to most large domestic corporations, foreign companies, and the head offices of the mass media. Tokyo is also a center of education, with 79 junior colleges and 111 universities, as of 1997.
The city is famous as a center of culture and entertainment. It offers a variety of modern and traditional arts. Classical and popular music are performed at Tokyo's many concert halls, and there are numerous museums and art galleries. Sightseeing tours of the city by bus have regular scheduled departures. The bus, called Hato (pigeon), visits famous spots such as the Tokyo Tower, Ginza, and Asakusa. Asakusa, where many traditional events and festivals are held, still retains the atmosphere of old Tokyo. Metropolitan Tokyo consists of the 23 wards of urban Tokyo, 27 cities, 5 towns, and 8 villages.