London
1,572 km²
Tokyo
2,194 km²
UK
Japan
Area Comparison
London is 1.4x smaller than Tokyo
Population Comparison
London has 1.6x fewer people than Tokyo
Tokyo is significantly larger, covering 1.4 times the area of London. Tokyo spans 2,194 km² (847 mi²) while London covers 1,572 km² (607 mi²) — a difference of 622 km².
To put London's size in perspective, its area of 1,572 km² is about 1.4x smaller than Tokyo (city proper). Meanwhile, Tokyo at 2,194 km² is about 1.1x smaller than Moscow.
London's footprint is roughly about 220,000 American football fields, 27 times the area of Manhattan, or 15 times the area of Paris — pick whichever unit feels intuitive. For Tokyo, that's about 307,000 American football fields, 37 times the area of Manhattan, or 21 times the area of Paris.
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.1 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) tidal estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years.
Known as "The Big Smoke", London covers 1,572 km² with a population of 9.0 million. The city was established in 43. London is known for Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the London Underground.
London has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years, tracing its roots back to Roman times around 47 AD.
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.
Often called "Eastern Capital", Tokyo has an area of 2,194 km² and is home to 14.0 million people. Its history stretches 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 1.6x larger than greater London at 8,382 km². The Tokyo metro area is also more populous, with 37.4 million people compared to 14.3 million.
London has a population density of 5,712 people per km² — a densely populated city. Tokyo, with 6,363 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Tokyo is slightly more compact.
This comparison spans continents — London in Europe versus Tokyo in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
London has a oceanic climate while Tokyo experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Tokyo, it's 3:00 AM in London — a 9-hour time difference.
Time Difference
9 hours apart
History
London is ~1,414 years older
London covers 1,572 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Bangkok (1,569 km²), Bogotá (1,578 km²), São Paulo (1,521 km²), Johannesburg (1,644 km²), or Mexico City (1,485 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 London to Tokyo is 9,559 km (5,939 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 45m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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