Bunkyō (文京区, Bunkyō-ku) is a special ward in the Tokyo Metropolis in Japan. Situated in the middle of the ward area, Bunkyō is a residential and educational center. Beginning in the Meiji period, literati like Natsume Sōseki, as well as scholars and politicians have lived there. Bunkyō is home to the Tokyo Dome, Judo's Kōdōkan, and the University of Tokyo's Hongo Campus.

Bunkyō
文京区
Bunkyō City
Flag of Bunkyō
Official seal of Bunkyō
Location of Bunkyō in Tokyo
Location of Bunkyō in Tokyo
Bunkyō is located in Japan
Bunkyō
Bunkyō
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 35°43′N 139°45′E / 35.717°N 139.750°E / 35.717; 139.750
CountryJapan
RegionKantō
PrefectureTokyo
Government
 • MayorHironobu Narisawa
Area
 • Total11.29 km2 (4.36 sq mi)
Population
 (October 1, 2020[1])
 • Total240,069
 • Density21,263/km2 (55,070/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall addressKasuga 1-16-21, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
112-6555
Websitewww.city.bunkyo.lg.jp
Symbols
FlowerAzalea
TreeGinkgo biloba

It was formed in 1947 as a merger of Hongo and Koishikawa wards following Tokyo City's transformation into Tokyo Metropolis. The modern Bunkyo ward exhibits contrasting Shitamachi and Yamanote geographical and cultural division. The Nezu and Sendagi neighborhoods in the ward's eastern corner is attached to the Shitamachi area in Ueno with more traditional Japanese atmosphere. On the other hand, the remaining areas of the ward typically represent Yamanote districts.[2]

As of 2022, the ward has a population of 240,069 (including about 8,500 foreign residents), and a population density of 21,263 inhabitants per square kilometre (55,070/sq mi). The total area is 11.29 square kilometres (4.36 sq mi).[3]

History

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Bunkyo was formed in 1947 as a merger of Hongo and Koishikawa wards following Tokyo City's transformation into Tokyo Metropolis.

Geography

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Districts and neighborhoods

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There are approximately twenty districts in the area and these are as follows:

Politics and government

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Bunkyo is governed by Mayor Hironobu Narisawa, an independent supported by the Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party of Japan and Komeito.[4][needs update?] The city council has 34 elected members.[5]

Economy

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The publishing company Kodansha has its headquarters in the ward,[6] and Kodansha International has its headquarters in the Otowa YK Building in the ward.[7] The drugstore chain Tomod's has its headquarters in the ward.[8] Penta-Ocean, the construction firm specializing in marine works and land reclamation also has its headquarters in Bunkyo.[9] The automobile manufacturer Toyota has its Tokyo headquarters in the ward.[10]

Landmarks

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Denzū-in
 
Aerial view of Bunkyo (southwest)

Education

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Universities and colleges

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National

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Akamon gate at the University of Tokyo

Private

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Hosuinomori at Toyo University

Primary and secondary schools

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Nationally-operated high schools:

Public high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education.

The metropolis operates the Koishikawa Secondary Education School.[16]

The metropolis operates the Bunkyo School for the Blind [ja].[17]

Public elementary and junior high schools are operated by Bunkyo Board of Education.

Municipal junior high schools:[18]

Municipal elementary schools:[19]

Culture

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Museums

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Transportation

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Train stations

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Toei subway lines

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Tokyo Metro subway lines

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Highways

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Shuto Expressway

  • No.5 Ikebukuro Route (Takebashi JCT—Bijogi JCT)

Sister cities

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Bunkyō has a sister-city relationship with Kaiserslautern in the Rhineland-Palatinate of Germany.[20]

Notable people from Bunkyō

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Population by District". Tokyo Statistical Yearbook. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  2. ^ Kokushi Daijiten Iinkai. Kokushi Daijiten (in Japanese). Vol. 4, page 842 (1983 ed.).
  3. ^ "日本の統計2022" (PDF). Statistics Bureau of Japan. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  4. ^ SNS-FreeJapan (16 April 2011). 文京区候補者情報一覧 東京都統一地方選挙・候補者紹介サイト. Archived from the original on 21 April 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  5. ^ Bunkyo City Government Office. "Bunkyo city Plot of city council". Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Company Overview Archived 2011-04-26 at the Wayback Machine." Kodansha. Retrieved on April 5, 2011. "Address: 12-21, Otowa 2-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8001, Japan"
  7. ^ "Corporate Profile Archived 2011-08-22 at the Wayback Machine" Kodansha. Retrieved on April 1, 2011. "Address Otowa YK Building 1-17-14 Otowa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8652" map Archived 2011-07-26 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Company Profile." Tomod's. Retrieved on May 19, 2009.
  9. ^ "Corporate Data." Penta-Ocean. Retrieved on March 23, 2014.
  10. ^ "Overview | Profile | Company". Toyota. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "55. Museum Review: Hatoyama Kaikan (Bunkyo-ku)," November 18, 2008.
  12. ^ 東京都立工芸高等学校. 東京都立工芸高等学校. Kogei-h.metro.tokyo.jp. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  13. ^ 東京都立小石川高等学校・東京都立小石川中等教育学校. Koishikawa-h.metro.tokyo.jp. Archived from the original on 2002-11-05. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  14. ^ "Home". mukogaoka-h.metro.tokyo.jp.
  15. ^ 竹早高校 ウェブページ. Takehaya-h.metro.tokyo.jp. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  16. ^ "[untitled]". Archived from the original on 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
  17. ^ 東京都立文京盲学校のホームページ. Bunkyo-sb.metro.tokyo.jp. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
  18. ^ "区立中学校一覧". Bunkyo. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  19. ^ "区立小学校一覧". Bunkyo. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  20. ^ Bunkyo Academy Foundation. "Bunkyo Academy International exchanges". Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
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