Nakano, Tokyo

Nakano (中野区 -ku) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Nakano City.

As of 2005, the ward has an estimated population of 297,998 and a density of 19110 persons per km². The total area is 15.59 km².

Geography

Five special wards surround Nakano: Shinjuku, Suginami, Nerima, Shibuya, and Toshima. It lies just west of the bustling Shinjuku area.

Rivers include the Kanda, Myosho-ji and Zenpuku-ji Rivers, and the Aratama Waterway.

History

The ward was founded on October 1, 1932 when the towns of Nogata and Nakano were absorbed into the former Tokyo City as Nakano Ward. The present administration dates from March 15, 1947 when the Allied occupation reformed the administration of Tokyo-to.

1447: Ōta Dōkan defeated Toshima Yasutsune in a battle here.
1606: The Naruki Kaido, predecessor of today's Ome Kaido (a road to Ome) was established.
1695: In connection with the Shorui Awaremi no Rei (a law for the protection of animals), a facility for keeping wild dogs opened.
1871: The twelve villages that comprise present-day Nakano became part of Tokyo Prefecture.
1889: The Kofu Railway opens. The forerunner of today's Chuo Main Line included a station at Nakano en route from Shinjuku to Hachioji.
1897: Nakano becomes a village.
1932: Tokyo City expands to encompass the district that included Nakano.
1943: With the abolition of Tokyo City, Nakano becomes part of Tokyo-to.
1947: Nakano becomes one of the special wards under the new system.
1961: The Tokyo subway system extends to Nakano.
1973: Construction of Nakano Sun Plaza near Nakano Station reaches completion.

Places

Nakano Sun Plaza: concert hall, hotel facilities
Arai Yakushi Shingon Buddhist temple
Nakano Broadway: otaku building (several floors of manga, anime, idol, music, toy, subculture specialty shops

Famous people

Erika Haneda, singer, actress
Marika Matsumoto, seiyu, actress
Akira Nagoya, actor (1930–2003)
Ryuichi Sakamoto, composer
Takanohana Koji, 65th yokozuna in sumo
Wakanohana Masaru, 66th yokozuna in sumo

Education

Public schools

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

Colleges and universities

Shumei University (Tokyo headquarters)
Tokyo Polytechnic University
University of Tokyo Nakano campus
ODAGAKUEN

Transportation

Rail

Nakano Ward is served by the JR East Chuo and Sobu lines, the Seibu Shinjuku Line, the Tokyo Metro Tozai and Marunouchi subway lines, and the Toei Oedo subway line.

JR Chuo Main Line: Higashi Nakano, Nakano Stations
Seibu Shinjuku Line: Arai Yakushi-mae, Numabukuro, Nogata, Toritsu Kasei, Saginomiya Stations
Tokyo Metro
- Marunouchi Line
  - Shin Nakano, Nakano Sakaue Stations
  - Honancho Branch Line: Nakano Fujimicho, Nakano Shimbashi, Nakano Sakaue Stations
- Tozai Line: Nakano, Ochiai (although the station is in Shinjuku, some entrances are in Nakano) Stations
Toei Oedo Line: Nakano Sakaue, Higashi Nakano, Shin-ekoda Stations

Highway

National Routes 4, 5, 8, 14 and 25, among others, serve Nakano.

External links

Nakano City official website in English

Wards of Tokyo

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