Kōtō (江東区 Kōtō-ku?) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. As of 2008, the ward has an estimated population of 442,271 and a density of 11,070 persons per km². The total area is 39.48 km². The ward refers to itself as Kōtō City in English. Kōtō is located east of the Tokyo metropolitan center, bounded by the Sumidagawa to the west and the Arakawa to the east. Its major districts include Kameido, Kiba, Kiyosumi, Monzen-nakachō, and Shirakawa. The newly developed waterfront area of Ariake is in Kōtō, as is part of Odaiba (including the popular Palette Town shopping complex).
GeographyKōtō occupies a position on the waterfront of Tokyo Bay sandwiched between the wards of Chūō and Edogawa. Its inland boundary is with Sumida. Much of the land is reclaimed, so there are few old temples or shrines. Noteworthy places in Kōtō include
HistoryThe western part of the ward was formerly part of Fukagawa Ward of Tokyo City. It suffered severe damage in the Great Kantō Earthquake and was heavily bombed during World War II. The special ward was founded on March 15, 1947 by the merger of the wards of Fukagawa and Jōtō. Transportation
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Famous places
EducationColleges and universities
Primary and secondary schoolsPublic elementary and middle schools are operated by the Koto City Board of Education. Public high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education.
International schoolsInternational schools are independently owned and operated. Famous people
Sister citiesAs of April 20, 1989, Kōtō became the Sister City of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. See alsoReferencesExternal linksWikimedia Commons has media related to:
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