Nakano has a highly mobile population among the 23 wards of Tokyo, and is a city where diverse cultures and personalities coexist.
The population density is high, and the southern part along the JR Chuo Line is said to be particularly livable because it is close to the city center.
In addition, Nakano is a very nice town that retains the atmosphere of a shopping street and a residential area, even though it is close to Shinjuku.
Recently, it is also famous as a “city of subcultures”.
On this page, I will introduce what kind of city Nakano is!
What is Nakano?
Access
Nakano Ward is centered on Nakano Station on the JR Chuo Line, and is served by trains such as the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line and Toei Oedo Line.
It takes about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nakano Station on the JR Chuo Line Rapid Service.
Geography
Nakano Ward is located in the western part of Tokyo and borders Nerima Ward, Toshima Ward, Shinjuku Ward, Shibuya Ward, and Suginami Ward.
It is part of the Musashino Plateau and is divided into five small plateaus: Numabukuro, Nogata, Nakano, Hatagaya, and Ochiai.
In the center of Nakano, the JR Chuo Line runs north-south, and the commercial area spreads around Nakano Station.
History
Nakano Ward has a long history and is believed to have been inhabited since the Jomon period.
The place name Nakano first appeared in 1362 as ‘Nakano-go’ in an ancient document called ‘Musashikoku Ganmon’ handed down to Kumano Nachi Taisha. After that, in the Edo period, it became a territory under the direct control of the shogunate, and many samurai families and temples were built.
In the Meiji period, Nakano Village, Hongo Village, and Zoshiki Village were merged to form Nakano Village, and the village changed from Shinagawa Prefecture to Tokyo Prefecture.
In 1932, it was incorporated into Tokyo City and Nakano Ward was born.
After the war, facilities such as Nakano Broadway and Nakano Sunplaza opened, and it developed as a town of subculture.
In addition, the redevelopment of Nakano Central Park and other areas has progressed, forming the current Nakano Ward.
Nakano is a city with various histories, from old to new.
Recommended in Nakano
Tourist attractions
Nakano is a city with many unique spots, such as “Nakano Broadway”, which is known as a mecca for subculture, and “Nakano Sun Mall Shopping Street”, which has a retro Showa atmosphere.
In addition, there are various sightseeing spots such as “Jissoin” and “Nakano Ward Central Library” where you can experience history and culture, “Nakano Shiki no Mori Park” and “Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo” where you can come into contact with nature and animals.
Sightseeing spots in Nakano are easily accessible by train or bus.
Nakano Broadway
Nakano Broadway is a former luxurious condominium commercial building in the Showa era, located in the back from Nakano Station through the Sun Mall shopping street.
Known as a mecca for subcultures, there are many specialty stores for anime, manga, and figurines.
You can also find unique shops selling second-hand books, second-hand clothing, and art.
It is open from 11:00 to 20:00 from Monday to Sunday, and there are about 300 shops, so if you have time, we recommend that you take your time and look around.
Nakano Sun Mall Shopping Street
Nakano Sun Mall Shopping Street is an arcade-style shopping street in front of the north exit of JR Nakano Station.
About 110 shops are lined up along the length of about 224m.
There are local shops related to clothing, food and housing, famous chain stores, gourmet and culture shops.
It developed as the population increased after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and in 1958 an arcade was built, giving it its current appearance.
Nakano Sun Mall shopping street is connected to Nakano Broadway, so you can enjoy subculture shops.
Nakano Sun Plaza
Nakano Sunplaza is a white triangle-shaped complex located at the north exit of JR Nakano Station.
Opened in 1973, it houses a hall with over 2,000 seats, a hotel, and restaurants.
It is also famous as a concert venue, and many idols and artists have performed live here.
However, Nakano Sunplaza is scheduled to close on July 2, 2023, and the new facility is scheduled to be completed in 2028.
Nakano Central Park
Nakano Central Park is a complex located in Nakano.
Offices (Kirin Brewery, etc.), commercial facilities, residences, parks (Nakano Shikinomori Park), etc. Opened in 2012.
Various events and activities (flea markets, festivals, etc.) are held throughout the year.
There are many restaurants and cafes, and there are genres such as Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and curry.
Tetsugakudo
Tetsugakudo is a park located in Matsugaoka, Nakano Ward, and was created in 1902 by Dr. Enryo Inoue, a philosopher and founder of Toyo University.
Tetsugakudo is the only park in Japan that visually expresses the world of philosophy, and has statues and monuments of various philosophers and thinkers from ancient times to modern times. It is a nationally designated scenic spot and a tangible cultural property of Nakano Ward, and there are old buildings and gardens in the park.
It is also used as a place for spiritual training and social education, and has sports facilities and events, making it an attractive spot in Nakano Ward where history, culture and nature are in harmony.
Arai Yakushi
Arai Yakushi is officially called Araizan Baishoin Yakuoji Temple, and is said to have been built in 1586 when Hideyoshi Toyotomi was appointed Kanpaku and Daijo-daijin.
It is famous as the “Buddha of Eye Care,” which is said to be beneficial for eye diseases, and is crowded with many worshipers on the 8th of every month.
Around Arai Yakushi, there is a shopping street that retains the atmosphere of a temple town, and there are shops selling food and miscellaneous goods.
Souvenir
There are many unique souvenirs in Nakano, and there are many sweets that you can easily eat, so it is also recommended for eating while walking.
Subculture goods
In Nakano Broadway, there are many shops that sell goods related to anime, manga, games, and other subcultures. You can choose according to your taste, such as figures, key chains, posters, acrylic key chains, etc.
MANDARAKE: There is a store called Mandrake on the 2nd to 4th floors of Nakano Broadway. This is Japan’s largest subculture specialty store that sells used anime and manga books, goods, and cosplay costumes.
ROBOT ROBOT: ROBOT ROBOT, which has 4 stores in Nakano Broadway, buys and sells products of various genres, mainly domestic and foreign figures and character goods.
Nakanoland: Located on the 3rd floor of Nakano Broadway, Nakanoland is a store that sells retro goods such as games, toys, and food toys. From nostalgic things to rare things, you can enjoy just looking at them.
Sweets
Decorated cake: A cake sold at Nakano Fugetsudo that is decorated with colorful fruits and cream. It looks gorgeous and tastes refreshing.
Koala’s March: Bread with a Koala’s March character branded on it, sold at Lotteria Nakano Sun Mall. There are custard cream and chocolate inside, and it has a fluffy texture.
Oyaki: Imagawayaki, a specialty of Nakano, sold at Oyakidokoro Refutei. There are custard and cheese inside, and it has a fluffy texture.
Maple Melon Bread: A melon bread with plenty of maple syrup, sold at Bonjour Bon Nakano. The perfect balance of fluffy dough and crispy surface.
Soft-serve ice cream: A soft-serve ice cream shop sold at “Daily Chiko”. The extra-large 8-tiered soft-serve ice cream is popular, and many people eat it. The famous 8-tier soft serve ice cream comes in 8 flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, matcha, rum raisin, coffee, caramel, and milk.