Half of All Japanese Live in Three Urban Areas

Japan is a little bit smaller than the state of California. But it has about 40% of the population of the US. More than 60% of Japan is mountains/forest and unlivable. Think of taking one-third of the US population and cramming it into the southern CA and you have Japan.

Japan for its part has half of its decling population of 126 million living in three urban areas.

3. Nagoya – This is motor city – There are more than 11 million people living in and around Nagoya – abt 9% of the total population.

2. Osaka – There are over 18 million people living in this area – Kobe, Kyoto (the old capital) are in this area.

1. Tokyo – The Tokyo/Yokohama, Kawasaki, Saitama area has almost 34 million people! It is impossible to tell where one city stops and another starts.

Japan has 11 cities with a population over 1 million:

11. Saitama – 1.0

10. Hiroshima – 1.13

 9. Kawasaki – 1.28

 8. Fukuoka – 1.34

 7. Kyoto – 1.39

 6. Kobe – 1.49

 5. Sapporo – 1.86
 
 4. Nagoya – 2.13

 3. Osaka – 2.50

 2. Yokohama – 3.52

 1. Tokyo – 8.20

Only Fukuoka and Sapporo are NOT on the main island of Honshuu.

You have heard it said that its crowded in Japan. It’s true.