三さん府ぷ

noun

the three urban prefectures (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka)

Historical term referring to the three prefectures of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka before Tokyo became a metropolitan prefecture in 1943.

See also: 府

• 戦せん前ぜんの日本にほんでは、三さん府ぷは東とう京きょう、京きょう都と、大おお阪さかを指さした。

  In prewar Japan, the three urban prefectures referred to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.