Region guide
Kanto Travel Guide: The greater Tokyo region — Japan’s beating heart
Kanto is the region of eastern Honshu, Japan, containing Tokyo, Yokohama, Kamakura and Nikko. It is Japan’s political and economic centre, home to about 43 million people, and the country’s main international gateway through Narita and Haneda airports.
Kanto at a glance
| Timezone | JST (UTC+9) |
|---|---|
| Currency | Japanese Yen (JPY) |
| Languages | Japanese |
| Coordinates | 35.8617, 139.6455 |
Why visit Kanto
Kanto is Japan’s most populous region, anchored by Tokyo and ringed by day-trip favourites like Nikko, Kamakura and Hakone. Nearly a third of Japan’s population lives here, and the region’s rail network makes it the easiest part of the country to explore without a car.
Destinations in Kanto
Kanto travel questions
What is the Kanto region known for?
Kanto is known as Japan’s political and economic heart, anchored by Tokyo and Yokohama and ringed by easy day trips to Nikko’s shrines, Kamakura’s Great Buddha and Hakone’s onsen. It holds about a third of Japan’s population and is the country’s main international gateway through Narita and Haneda airports.
How do you get around the Kanto region?
Get around Kanto by train — the JR Yamanote and Chuo lines plus private railways link Tokyo with Yokohama, Kamakura, Nikko and Hakone, and a JR Tokyo Wide Pass covers most of it. You rarely need a car; the region’s rail network is among the densest and most punctual in the world.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.