Chuo, Tokyo

Chūō (中央区 -ku) is one of the 23 special wards that form the heart of Tokyo, Japan. It is historically the main commercial center of Tokyo, although Shinjuku has risen to challenge it since the end of World War II. The ward refers to itself as Chuo City in English.

Many of the most famous sites in Tokyo are in Chuo. The Ginza, site of the former silver mint from which it takes its name, is a famous neighborhood in Chuo. The gold mint, or Kinza, formerly occupied the site of the present-day Bank of Japan headquarters building, also in Chuo.

As of 2005, the ward has an estimated resident population of 97,987 and a density of 9654 persons per km². However, because of the concentration of businesses, offices and retail space, the daytime population swells to an estimated 650,000. The total area is 10.15 km².

Geography

Chuo is in the eastern part of Tokyo. It is surrounded by five other special wards: Koto, Sumida, Taito, Chiyoda, and Minato. Its central location among the wards of the old Tokyo City gave rise to its name, which means "center."

History

1869: A foreigners' settlement is established. It continued until about 1899.
1947: The ward was founded on March 15.

Places

Akashicho - Home to St. Luke's Hospital and Nursing School and the adjacent Garden Tower skyscraper.
Eitai Bridge - A famous bridge across the Sumida River
Ginza - Tokyo's most upscale shopping district, housing huge department stores such as Matsuzakaya, Mitsukoshi, Mozaic, and Printemps, as well as the famous Kabukiza theater. At night, Ginza is ablaze with neon lights. Exclusive bars abound.
Hakozaki - Location of Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT)
Hatchobori - During the Edo period, the location of the police barracks
Hamacho
Hama Rikyu - a spacious public park, formerly the property of daimyo of Koshu, and later under the administration of the Imperial Household Agency
Harumi - The location of a major exposition site that hosts the annual auto show and the comic market; Harumi Port is also here
Kabutocho - The securities district
Kachidoki - The location of a famous bridge of the same name over the Sumida River
Kayabacho
Kyobashi
Nihonbashi - Traditional commercial center housing the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Bank of Japan. Also home to the Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya department stores, and the "zero milestone" from which highway distances to Tokyo are measured.
Shinbashi Enbujo - A famous theater
Shinkawa
Suitengu - A Shinto shrine at which women pray for conception and safe birth
Sumiyoshi Shrine - A Shinto shrine with a history dating back to 1590
Tsukiji - Widely viewed as one of the best sushi destinations in the world because of its huge wholesale fish market, which supplies restaurants and stores across eastern Japan. Also home to the Jodo Shinshu temple of Tsukiji Hongwanji.
Tsukishima
Yaesu - District on the east side of Tokyo Station. The Yaesu side of Tokyo Station is the terminal for the Shinkansen, or "bullet train" lines.

Transportation

Rail

At Tokyo Station, six Shinkansen, seven ordinary railway, and one subway line serve Chuo. In addition, three Toei subway lines stop at various stations throughout the ward.

Highway

Shuto Expressway

No. 1 Ueno Route (Edobashi JCT - Iriya)
No. 6 Mukojima Route (Edobashi JCT - Horikiri JCT)
No. 9 Fukagawa Route (Hakozaki JCT - Tatsumi JCT)
C1 Inner Loop (Edobashi - Takaracho - Kyobashi - Ginza - Shiodome - Hamazakibashi - Shiba Park - Tanimachi - Kasumigaseki - Daikanmachi - Edobashi)

Education

Public elementary and middle schools in Chuo are operated by the Chuo City Board of Education. Public high schools are operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education.

Famous people

Aoki Kon'yo, introduced the cultivation of the sweet potato
Terry Ito, television director
Akira Emoto, actor
Ken'ichi Nagira, folk singer
Hayashiya Kikuzo, rakugo comedian

External links

Chuo official website in English
Chuo official website in Japanese

Wards of Tokyo

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