Kanto

The Kantō (関東) region of Japan, on the eastern side of the main island Honshu, is a broad plain dominated by and nearly synonymous with the megalopolis of Tokyo and its suburbs. Understanding Kanto In feudal times, Kanto was the home of the Tokugawa shogunate and Edo (modern Tokyo) the military seat of power, while the western region of Kansai represented commerce (Osaka) and culture (Kyoto). But the pendulum shifted decisively in Tokyo’s favor after the 1869 Meiji Restoration when the Emperor moved to Tokyo, and today Kanto sets the pace that the rest of Japan tries to follow.   Kanto Prefectures Chiba — suburban sprawl to the east and the site of Narita of airport fame Gunma — mountains and hot springs to the north of Tokyo Ibaraki — coastal prefecture containing the hometown of natto, Mito Kanagawa — suburban sprawl to the south containing Yokohama, Japan’s second largest city, and Kawasaki Saitama — suburban sprawl to the north containing very little Tochigi — popular escape known for historical site Nikko and many hot springs Tokyo — the largest city in the world Yamanashi — at the foothills of Mount Fuji   Cities of Kanto Chiba — another Tokyo offshoot to the east Kawasaki — suburb sandwiched between Tokyo and Yokohama Tokyo — capital of Japan, largest city in the world Yokohama — officially Japan’s 2nd largest city, in practice a giant Tokyo suburb National parks Chichibu-Tama National Park — mountain hiking within easy striking distance of Tokyo Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park — for hot springs and views of Fuji Other attractionsAtami — coastal hot spring resort a short Shinkansen hop from Tokyo Enoshima — Japan’s surfing paradise in style and attitude (a shame there isn’t much in the way of waves) Kamakura — temple town within easy striking distance of Tokyo Kinugawa — former hot spring boomtown fallen on hard times Mount Fuji — although it’s in neighbouring Chubu, the tallest mountain in Japan is accessible from Tokyo Nikko — the grandiose mausoleum of the Tokugawa shoguns Getting to KantoMost visitors arrive in the Kanto region via Tokyo, and most of those arrive via Narita Airport, Japan’s main international gateway. TalkThe Kanto dialect is the base of the standard Japanese taught in schools and spoken on TV. (Article from/based on Wikitravel article and may be copied freely) |