Chuo is Tokyo's central business and commerce ward, occupying the area just east of the Imperial Palace between Chiyoda Ward to the west and Koto Ward to the east. The name literally means "central" in Japanese, and geographically and historically that is exactly what it has always been.
The ward contains some of the most commercially significant real estate in Japan. Ginza, Nihonbashi, and Tsukiji all sit within Chuo's boundaries, giving it a range that runs from ultra-luxury retail to one of the most famous fish markets in the world. It is a ward that has been at the center of Tokyo's commercial life since the Edo period, when Nihonbashi Bridge was designated the official starting point of all five major roads in Japan.
Chuo is a ward of contrasts that sit surprisingly comfortably next to each other. Ginza brings the luxury boutiques, art galleries, and fine dining. Tsukiji brings the market stalls, fresh seafood, and the kind of no-nonsense food culture that has fed Tokyo for generations. Both are entirely authentic expressions of what this ward is.
The business districts of Nihonbashi and Kayabacho are busy and corporate during the week but become noticeably quieter on weekends, revealing a more relaxed side of the ward that is good for walking and exploring the historic streetscapes around the old bridge.
Tsukishima is the neighborhood within the ward that has the strongest local character, a reclaimed island area with narrow old streets, a famous strip of monjayaki restaurants, and a pace of life that feels genuinely removed from the commercial bustle of Ginza a few kilometers away.
Ginza is the ward's most famous district and one of the most expensive retail addresses in the world. The main Chuo-dori street is lined with flagship stores from the world's leading luxury brands alongside major Japanese department stores, including Mitsukoshi and Matsuya. On weekends, the central stretch of Chuo-dori closes to traffic and becomes a pedestrian zone.
Nihonbashi is the historical heart of Chuo, home to Japan's oldest department store (Mitsukoshi, founded 1673), traditional craft shops, and the stone bridge that marked the center of Edo-period Japan. Tsukiji Outer Market remains one of the best places in Tokyo for a seafood breakfast and fresh food shopping even after the main wholesale market relocated to Toyosu.