page_title: Special wards of Tokyo
section_title: Notable districts
hierarchical_section_title: Special wards of Tokyo / Notable districts
caption_attribution_description: English: Tokyo view from Odaiba 日本語: お台場から望む東京（拡大バージョン）
context_page_description: Special wards are a special form of municipalities in Japan under the 1947 Local Autonomy Law. They are city-level wards: primary subdivisions of a prefecture with municipal autonomy largely comparable to other forms of municipalities.
  Although the autonomy law today allows for special wards to be established in other prefectures, to date, they only exist in the Tokyo Metropolis which consists of 23 special wards and 39 other, ordinary municipalities. The Special wards of Tokyo occupy the land that was Tokyo City in its 1936 borders before it was abolished under the Tōjō Cabinet in 1943 to become directly ruled by the prefectural government, then renamed to "Metropolitan". During the Occupation of Japan, municipal autonomy was restored to former Tokyo City by the establishment of special wards, each with directly elected mayor and assembly, as in any other city, town or village in Tokyo and the rest of the country. Minority, mostly leftist calls for a restoration of Tokyo City were not answered. The question of whether special wards actually are municipalities with full local autonomy rights at all remained a political and legal issue for decades.
context_section_description: Many important districts are located in Tokyo's special wards:
  Akasaka
  A district with a range of restaurants, clubs and hotels; many pedestrian alleys giving it a local neighbourhood feel. Next to Roppongi, Nagatachō, and Aoyama.
  Akihabara
  A densely arranged shopping district popular for electronics, anime culture, amusement arcades and otaku goods.
  Aoyama
  A neighborhood of Tokyo adjacent to Omotesando with parks, trendy cafes, and international restaurants.
  Asakusa
  A cultural center of Tokyo, famous for the Sensō-ji Buddhist temple, and several traditional shopping streets. For most of the twentieth century, Asakusa was the main entertainment district in Tokyo, with large theaters, cinemas, an amusement park and a red light district.  The area was heavily damaged by US bombing raids during World War II, and has now been rivaled by newer districts in the west of the city as entertainment and commercial centers.
  Ginza and Yūrakuchō
  Major shopping and entertainment district with historic department stores, upscale shops selling brand-name goods, and movie theaters. This area is part of the original city center in the wards of Chuo and Chiyoda (as opposed to the new centers in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Shibuya).
  Harajuku
  Known internationally for its role in Japanese street fashion.
  Ikebukuro
  The busiest interchange in north central Tokyo, featuring Sunshine City and various shopping destinations.
  Jinbōchō
  Tokyo's center of used-book stores and publishing houses, and a popular antique and curio shopping area.
  Kasumigaseki
  Home to most of the executive offices of the national government, as well as the Tokyo Metropolitan Police.
  Marunouchi and Ōtemachi
  As one of the main financial and business districts of Tokyo, Marunouchi includes the headquarters of many banks, trading companies and other major corporations. The area is seeing a major redevelopment in the near future with plans for new buildings and skyscrapers for shopping and entertainment constructed on the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station. This area is part of the original city center in the wards of Chuo and Chiyoda (as opposed to the new centers in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Shibuya).
  Nagatachō
  The political heart of Tokyo and the nation. It is the location of the National Diet (parliament), government ministries, and party headquarters.
  Odaiba
  A large, reclaimed, waterfront area that has become one of Tokyo's most popular shopping and entertainment districts.
  Omotesandō
  Known for upscale shopping, fashion, and design
  Roppongi
  Home to the rich Roppongi Hills area, Mori Tower, an active night club scene, and a relatively large presence of Western tourists and expatriates.
  Ryōgoku
  The heart of the sumo world. Home to the Ryōgoku Kokugikan and many sumo stables.
  Shibuya
  A long-time center of shopping, fashion, nightlife and youth culture. Shibuya is a famous and popular location for photographers and tourists.
  Shinagawa
  In addition to the major hotels on the west side of Shinagawa Station, the former "sleepy east side of the station" has been redeveloped as a major center for business.
  Shinbashi
  An traditional Shitamachi district, recently revitalized by being the gateway to Odaiba and the Shiodome Shiosite complex of high-rise buildings.
  Shinjuku
  Location of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and a major secondary center of Tokyo (fukutoshin), as opposed to the original center in Marunouchi and Ginza. The area is known for its concentration of skyscrapers and shopping areas. Major department stores, electronics stores and hotels are located here. On the east side of Shinjuku Station, Kabukichō is known for its many bars and nightclubs. Shinjuku Station moves an estimated three million passengers a day, which makes it the busiest rail station in the world.
  Ueno
  Ueno is known for its parks, department stores, and large concentration of cultural institutions. Ueno Zoo and Ueno Park are located here. Ueno Station is a major transportation hub serving commuters to and from areas north and east of Tokyo. In the spring, the area is a popular locale to view cherry blos
caption: Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower viewed from Odaiba
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