府(ふ)

ふ
suffix
urban prefecture; metropolitan administrative unit
1. urban prefecture
Administrative suffix used for Osaka and Kyoto prefectures.
大阪(おおさか)府(ふ)に住(す)んでいる。
I live in Osaka Prefecture.
京都(きょうと)府(ふ)は歴史(れきし)ある場所(ばしょ)だ。
Kyoto Prefecture is a place with history.
府(ふ)と県(けん)の違(ちが)いは歴史的(れきしてき)なものだ。
The difference between fu and ken is historical.

府(ふ) is an administrative designation for urban prefectures in Japan.

USAGE:

Only two prefectures use 府(ふ):

  • 大阪(おおさか)府(ふ) (Osaka)
  • 京都(きょうと)府(ふ) (Kyoto)

JAPANESE PREFECTURAL DIVISIONS:

  • 都(と): Tokyo only (東京都(とうきょうと))
  • 道(どう): Hokkaido only (北海道(ほっかいどう))
  • 府(ふ): Osaka, Kyoto
  • 県(けん): All other 43 prefectures

HISTORICAL NOTE:
The 府(ふ) designation dates from the Meiji period when these cities served as major urban centers. There were originally more 府(ふ) designations, but most were changed to 県(けん).

RELATED:

  • 県(けん): prefecture (most common)
  • 知事(ちじ): prefectural governor
  • 府民(ふみん): residents of Osaka/Kyoto Prefecture
general
Added 2026.2.4 12:55
09500/09870_fu