Japans Top 25 Cities By Population

As a whole, there are 13 cities in Japan with populations above one million, 191 cities with populations between 100,000 and one million, and 540 cities with populations between 10,000 and 100,000. Tokyo is Japan’s largest city, with a population of 8,336,599 individuals.

Tokyo’s crowded streets

Japan has some of the most crowded cities and streets in the world. Although the population is shrinking there are still very large metro areas.

RankCity
Population 2021
1 Tokyo 8,336,599
2Yokohama3,574,443
3Osaka2,592,413
4Nagoya2,191,279
5Sapporo1,883,027
6Kobe1,528,478
7Kyoto1,459,640
8Fukuoka1,392,289
9Kawasaki1,306,785
10Saitama1,193,350
11Hiroshima1,143,841
12Yono1,077,730
13Sendai1,063,103
14Kitakyushu997,536
15Chiba919,729
16Sakai782,339
17Shizuoka701,561
18Kumamoto680,423
19Okayama639,652
20Hamamatsu605,098
21Hachioji579,399
22Honcho560,743
23Kagoshima555,352
24Niigata505,272
25Himeji481,493
Japans top 25 cities by population

Regions Of Japan An Exploration Guide

Japan is the world’s 61st largest nation in terms of land area, Japan is in the top ten in terms of population size. Many of the country’s most populous cities are densely inhabited, and this trend is projected to continue in the future.

Tokyo, the country’s largest city, has a population of over 8 million people, and there are 13 other cities with populations above one million. Japan has 684 inhabited places that are classified as cities, as well as 20 designated cities, 42 core cities, and 40 special cities.

Shibuya Scramble

It’s simple to understand why Japan is one of the world’s most populated countries, with over 200 cities with populations of at least 100,000 (but less than one million).

As a whole, the Greater Tokyo area or the Tokyo metropolitan area is expected to have a population of 37.4 million people by 2022. With about 13.9 million inhabitants as of 2021 in Tokyo proper, it is the world’s most populated metropolitan area.

Tokyo with the three surrounding prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa make up the Greater Tokyo Area.

Although Japan has some of the most crowded cities in the world its population is in decline. Japan’s 2020 census recorded a population decline of 800,000 people. It’s one of the most populous nations with a population over 65 years of age.

It is the same life whether we spend it crying or laughing

japanese proverb
My fascination with Japan began several years back at a roadside bonsai stand while on vacation. I became more interested in the where and why's more than the trees themselves. My love of Bonsai led me to further research my interest in the gardens where they originated from and the places and people that surrounded those little trees. My curiosity was well rewarded upon visiting Saitama where the National Bonsai Museum was located and Omiya Village the bonsai mecca for lovers of this ancient art form. Exploring many towns and villages and even making my way to Japan's furthest southern prefecture of Okinawa. I hope to share my love of this wonderful and exotic place with all those who want to know more about Japan.