Tokyo has been the capital of Japan only since 1868; before that, Kyoto served as capital for more than 1,000 years.
Ten percent of Japan's total population lives in Tokyo -- more than 12 million residents. Almost a quarter of Japan's total population lives within commuting distance.
Tokyo's workers commute to work an average of 90 minutes one-way. Shinjuku Station handles the most train and subway passengers in all of Japan, more than one million people a day; more than 60 exits lead out of the station.
Tokyo has suffered widespread destruction twice in the past century -- in the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and from World War II firebombs. In both instances, more than 100,000 people lost their lives.
During the Edo Period (1603-1867), Edo (former Tokyo) witnessed almost 100 major fires, not to mention countless smaller fires.
Tokyo sprawls over 1,288 sq. km (800 sq. miles), yet most streets are not named.
Rickshaws originated in Tokyo in 1869; 4 years later, there were 34,000 of the people-propelled vehicles in the capital city.
Park space in Tokyo is woefully inadequate -- just 4.52 sq. m (5.40 sq. yd.) per capita, compared to 45.7 sq. m (54.7 sq. yd.) in Washington, D.C.
According to city government 2003 estimates, approximately 6,000 homeless were living in Tokyo, mainly in city parks and along riverbanks. There are 25,000 homeless nationwide.
