Itabashi has sister-city relations with Burlington, Ontario, in Canada; Shijingshan District of Beijing in the People's Republic of China; and Bologna in Italy.

Notes: a – (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) b – (formerly part of Shimura Nishidai area) c – (1 & 9) The name of the ward means "plank bridge" and derives from the wooden span over the Shakujii River that dates from the Heian period.

In the Edo period, the Nakasendō crossed the nearby Shimo Itabashi, and the name came to apply to that area as well.

On October 1, 1932, nine towns and villages of Kita-Toshima District were merged and became part of Tokyo City as Itabashi Ward.

Public elementary and junior high schools are operated by the Itabashi City Board of Education (板橋区教育委員会).