Geography of Japan - Todōfuken (都道府県）

Thanks to a recent geography lesson in my Kanji study book, I learned a bit more about the geography of Japan, specifically the government bodies within Japan and how they are categorized. So...........take your seats children. Class is in session.

Japan is divided into 47 jurisdictions or sub-bodies, which are groups of cities, villages, etc. with prefectural government representation similar to our State governments and representation. Originally there were over 300 when this system was first established in 1871, but that number was reduced to 47 in 1888. They are commonly referred to as the 47 Todōfuken (都道府県) for the 4 types of characterizations of these sub-bodies. There is 1 metropolis, or 'To (都)', 1 administrative area, or 'Dō (道)', 2 urban prefectures, or 'Fu (府)', and 43 prefectures, or 'Ken (県)'. Here's some names of commonly known areas that might help:

• 都 (To): Tokyo-to (東京都) is the 1 metropolis (pronounced Toe)
  
• 道 (Dō):Hokkaidō (北海道) is the 1 administrative area
• 府 (Fu): Osaka-fu (大阪府) and Kyoto-fu (京都府) are the two urban prefectures. Interestingly enough, Kyoto-fu is the imperial capitol of Japan, and literally means 'capitol metropolis'. 'Kyo' means capitol, and 'To' means metropolis (like Tokyo-to). For some reason, however, Kyoto gets the additional 'Fu' designation.
• 県 (Ken): Aichi-ken (愛知県) where we live, is an example of 1 of the 43 prefectures (#1 on the map below). Can you find it? Look in the middle of the main island just West of Tokyo.