CHUO

Chuo Tokyo(千代田) ward is in the centre of the city. While the name literally means "Center", this district loses out in prestige — if only very slightly — to neighbouring Chiyodaku, home to the Imperial Palace. Still, Ginza (part of Chuo) is generally reckoned to have the most expensive real estate on earth. Chuo is historically the main commercial centre of Tokyo, although Shinjuku has risen to challenge it since the end of World War II.

Chuo Hotels

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Refer to our Tokyo Map for the key locations in Chuo Tokyo.

Getting to Chuo

The western edge of Chuo starts on the Yaesu (east) side of Tokyo Station, and if your legs are feeling up to it, you can get pretty much anywhere worth seeing within a 45-minute walk. Otherwise, take the subway.

CHUOKU - HIGHLIGHTS
GINZA - CHUO It is considered the fashion area of the Tokyo and contains many upscale shops and restaurants.	.

Tsukiji Hongwanji, 3-15-1 Tsukiji, 03-3541-1131  A Jodo Shinshu temple just a few blocks away from the fish market, worth seeing because of its unique, South Asian-inspired architecture. Buddhist services are held in English on Saturday evenings. Accessible from Tsukiji (Hibiya Line) or Tsukiji-shijo (Oedo Line).

Tokyo Stock Exchange, 2-1 Nihombashi Kabutocho, 03-3665-1881 Tokyo's stock exchange, while one of the largest in the world by capitalization, is now entirely automated, and the tiny building it resides in is mostly for show, featuring a small museum, exhibition hall, and broadcasting facilities. Accessible from Kayabacho (Tozai and Hibiya Lines) or Nihombashi (Asakusa Line).

Hama-rikyu Gardens (浜離宮恩賜庭園) 1-1 Hama-rikyu Teien (7 min walk from Shinodome, Tsukiji-shijo or Yurikamome subway statoins, 10 min. walk from JR Shimbashi station), 03-3541-0200. Originally built by 17th-century shoguns for their private enjoyment, Hama-rikyu is now a public walking garden with an all-season range of flowers and flowering trees. The highlight is the tea house, picturesquely set on a small island in the middle of a pond, where green tea and sweets are available for ¥500. The garden is located next to Tsukiji fish market. A boat which runs up the Sumida River to Asakusa departs from inside the park. Park admission ¥300 (age 65+ ¥150, primary school children free).

Tsukiji fish market (築地市場 Tsukiji-ichiba; or more properly the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, is worth a visit for several acres of stalls of bizarre sea creatures. As you might expect everything is covered in slippery sea water, so choose footwear accordingly. The market is open every day except Sundays and Holidays. Get here as early as possible, which means a taxi if you want to see the auctions, but much cheaper and quite acceptable alternative is to take the first subway in the morning around 6, perhaps after a night of partying in Roppongi or Shinjuku. Hibiya line Tsukiji station is a short walk away, while O-Edo line Tsukiji-shijo drops you right next to the action.
Note: Effective May 2005, the famous tuna auctions are now off limits to tourists. The rest of the market is still open and you can (try to) observe the show from behind the ropes.

(Article based on Wikitravel article by Based on work by Paul N. Richter and Wikitravel user(s) Jpatokal and Nzpcmad. Article used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0.)