Istanbul
5,461 km²
Tokyo
2,194 km²
Turkey
Japan
Area Comparison
Istanbul is 2.5x larger than Tokyo
Population Comparison
Istanbul has 1.1x more people than Tokyo
Yes — Istanbul is 2.5x larger than Tokyo by area. Istanbul spans 5,461 km² (2,109 mi²) while Tokyo covers 2,194 km² (847 mi²) — a difference of 3,267 km². You could fit Tokyo inside Istanbul approximately 2 times.
To put Istanbul's size in perspective, its area of 5,461 km² is about 1.2x smaller than Shanghai. Meanwhile, Tokyo at 2,194 km² is about 1.1x smaller than Moscow.
In more relatable units, Istanbul's 5,461 km² is about 765,000 American football fields, 92 times the area of Manhattan, or 52 times the area of Paris. Tokyo works out to about 307,000 American football fields, 37 times the area of Manhattan, or 21 times the area of Paris.
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical center. With a population of over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world by population. It is a city on two continents; about two-thirds of its population live in Europe and the rest in Asia.
Known as "City on Two Continents", Istanbul covers 5,461 km² with a population of 15.5 million. The city was founded around 660 BC. Istanbul is known for Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Istanbul Metro.
Istanbul is one of the only major cities to span two continents, with about two-thirds of its population living in Europe and the rest in Asia.
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital and most populous city of Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is one of the most populous urban areas in the world. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes Tokyo and parts of six neighboring prefectures, is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with 41 million residents as of 2024.
Nicknamed "Eastern Capital", Tokyo has an area of 2,194 km² and is home to 14.0 million people. The city dates back to 1457. Visitors come for Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Tokyo Metro & JR East.
Greater Tokyo holds 41 million residents as of 2024, making it the most populous metropolitan area on Earth.
Looking beyond city limits, the Tokyo metropolitan area covers 13,572 km², which is 2.5x larger than greater Istanbul at 5,461 km². The Tokyo metro area is also more populous, with 37.4 million people compared to 15.5 million.
Istanbul has a population density of 2,831 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Tokyo, with 6,363 people per km², is a densely populated city. Tokyo is noticeably denser, packing 2.2 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Istanbul in Europe versus Tokyo in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Istanbul has a oceanic climate while Tokyo experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Tokyo, it's 6:00 AM in Istanbul — a 6-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Tokyo fits inside Istanbul ~2 times
Density Gap
Tokyo is 2.2x more densely populated
Time Difference
6 hours apart
History
Istanbul is ~2,117 years older
Istanbul covers 5,461 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Shanghai (6,341 km²), Perth (6,417 km²), Dubai (4,114 km²), Guangzhou (7,434 km²), or Karachi (3,527 km²).
Tokyo covers 2,194 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Ho Chi Minh City (2,061 km²), Shenzhen (1,997 km²), Cape Town (2,455 km²), Moscow (2,511 km²), or Lima (2,672 km²).
The straight-line distance from Istanbul to Tokyo is 8,943 km (5,557 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 1m.
Want to explore more? Compare city sizes for any two cities worldwide, or share your location live with friends.