Moscow
2,511 km²
Tokyo
2,194 km²
Russia
Japan
Area Comparison
Moscow is 1.1x larger than Tokyo
Population Comparison
Moscow has 1.1x fewer people than Tokyo
In terms of area, Moscow is 1.1x the size of Tokyo. Moscow spans 2,511 km² (970 mi²) while Tokyo covers 2,194 km² (847 mi²) — a difference of 317 km².
To put Moscow's size in perspective, its area of 2,511 km² is roughly the same size as Luxembourg. Meanwhile, Tokyo at 2,194 km² is about 1.1x smaller than Moscow.
Picture Moscow another way: its area is large enough to fit about 352,000 American football fields, 42 times the area of Manhattan, or 24 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.
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents within the city limits, over 19.1 million residents in the urban area, and over 21.5 million residents in its metropolitan area. The city covers an area of 2,511 square kilometers (970 mi2), while the urban area covers 5,891 square kilometers (2,275 mi2), and the metropolitan area covers over 26,000 square kilometers (10,000 mi2).
Known as "Third Rome", Moscow covers 2,511 km² with a population of 12.5 million. The city was established in 1147. Moscow is known for Red Square, Kremlin, Saint Basil's Cathedral, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Moscow Metro.
Moscow's metropolitan area covers over 26,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest metropolitan footprints in Europe.
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. It was established in 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 2.3x larger than greater Moscow at 5,891 km². The Tokyo metro area is also more populous, with 37.4 million people compared to 17.1 million.
Moscow has a population density of 4,994 people per km² — a moderately dense 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 — Moscow in Europe versus Tokyo in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Moscow has a humid continental climate while Tokyo experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Tokyo, it's 6:00 AM in Moscow — a 6-hour time difference.
Time Difference
6 hours apart
History
Moscow is ~310 years older
Moscow covers 2,511 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Cape Town (2,455 km²), Lima (2,672 km²), Tokyo (2,194 km²), Ho Chi Minh City (2,061 km²), or Cairo (3,085 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 Moscow to Tokyo is 7,477 km (4,646 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~9h 18m.
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