Nakano (中野) ward, adjacent to Shinjuku, is the near edge of the endless urban sprawl of western Tokyo.

Get In

Nakano is well connected by various train lines, both above and under ground.

The most important stop is Nakano on the JR Chuo line, where JR Chuo rapid (with additional local service during rush hours) and JR Chuo-Sobu local trains stop. It's also the terminal stop for trains on the Tokyo Metro Tozai subway line (stop T01). Nevertheless, some trains of the Tozai line will continue on the JR Chuo line as Chuo-Sobu local trains after reaching Nakano. Travelers reach Nakano quickest with JR Chuo line rapid trains which operate on a frequent schedule from Shinjuku station (1 stop, 5 minutes, ¥150) and Tokyo station (5 stops, 20 minutes ¥210). Nakano's main commercial area (i.e. most shops and restaurants, including Nakano Sunmall and Nakano Broadway) are just north of the station.

Also on the JR Chuo line is Higashi Nakano (East Nakano) but only just JR Chuo-Sobu local trains stop there.

Further north of the ward Arai Yakushi-mae, Numabukuro, Nogata, Toritsu Kasei and Saginomiya are stops on the Seibu Shinjuku line, which does not terminate at Shinjuku (as the name might suggest to some) but at Seibushinjuku, i.e. Seibu's own station a bit north of Shinjuku station.

The south of the ward is connected by Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line with trains stopping in Nakano Sakaue where the line is split and most trains continue to Shin-Nakano but some continue on the Honancho branch to Nakano Shimbashi and Nakano Fujimicho instead. Trains run to Shinjuku and Tokyo stations from all these stops.

Additionally to these east-west bound lines, there's one south-north bound line. The Toei Oedo line stops at the already mentioned Nakano Sakaue and Higashi Nakano station as well as at Shin-Ekoda. Once again, trains on this line also stop at Shinjuku station.

Further stations of various (including not previously mentioned) lines stop just outside of the ward, providing additional connections to places close to the ward's border. Ochiai station on the Tozai line, while situated in neighboring Shinjuku ward, even has exits in Nakano ward.

Buy

• Nakano Sunmall (Just opposite from JR Nakano station's north exit.). Many of the shops are not open until late morning or early afternoon, especially on weekends. Most shops are open at least 10AM-8PM. The center of Nakano's commercial area is a over 200m long covered shopping street (arcade) featuring a wide variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. Branching off to the east are several side-streets with various additional restaurants, including many Izakaya. 
• Nakano Broadway and the Broadway Arcade, 5-52-15 Nakano (Enter Nakano Sunmall (see above), and continue for about five minutes.). Many of the shops are not open until late morning or early afternoon, especially on weekends. Most shops are open at least 10AM-8PM. On the 2nd and 3rd floor of this otherwise typical suburban shopping complex is the Broadway Arcade. Renowned throughout Tokyo and beyond for its jam-packed stores catering to the "otaku" culture of comics, anime, collectible toys, and the like. If you're looking for two-meter-high Godzilla figure, this is where you'll find it. There are also some used and specialty audio and video equipment stores, along with a wide variety of other stores catering towards the general public mainly on the lower levels. Note, that no escalators go to the 2nd and 4th floor but there's several staircases. 

Eat

• Rera-Chise (レラ・チセ), Arai 1-37-12 (12 min. north from JR Nakano, continuing past Broadway), ☏ +81 03-3387-2252. Dinner only, 5PM-11PM; closed M. A Japanese rarity even in Tokyo, this restaurant serves cuisine of the Ainu, the indigenous inhabitants of Hokkaido. Try the crushed salmon snouts and venison steaks. 

• Mitsuboshi Curry (ミツボシカレー), Arai 2-1-1 (Walk through Broadway and go to your left. Cross the street to the right side and you should see the name written in katakana). Very friendly staff, speaks a little English. English menu available. ¥680–¥1380. 

Drink

• 1 The Hangover, Chuo 1-51-4, Nakano (10 minutes' walk south from Higashinakano Station.), ☏ +81 090-3721-6982. This is a bar for the microbrew enthusiast. There are beers from Japan and other countries in bottles and on tap. The selection changes from week to week, which means there's always something new on hand. Bar food is available, as well. English is spoken. Drinks ¥600-1200. 

Go next

Routes through Nakano

Nagoya ← Suginami ←	W  E	→ Shinjuku
Tokyo/Chiyoda ← Tokyo/Taito ←	W  E	→ Tokyo/Shinjuku → Tokyo/Shibuya