Chūō-ku, Niigata

Chuo-ku, Niigata
新潟市中央区
Ward of Niigata
新潟市中央区

Sekiyahama Beach

Location of Chuo in Niigata
Chuo-ku, Niigata

 

Coordinates: 37°54′58″N 139°02′11″E / 37.91611°N 139.03639°ECoordinates: 37°54′58″N 139°02′11″E / 37.91611°N 139.03639°E
Country Japan
Region Chubu
Prefecture Niigata
City Niigata
Named for Chuo-ku, Niigata
Area
 • Total 37.42 km2 (14.45 sq mi)
Population (March 31, 2012)
 • Total 173,728
 • Density 4,642.65/km2 (12,024.4/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Postal 951-8550
Address Gakko-cho-dori (street) 1-602-1, Chuo-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata-ken
Telephone Number 81-(0)25-223-1000
View of the Furumachi business district, along Masaya-koji. Next21 is the spired-building in background.

Chūō-ku (中央区 Chūō-ku) is one of the eight wards of Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture. It comprises much of the city center. As of March 31, 2012, the ward had an estimated population of 173,728, with 81,204 households and a density of 4,642.65 persons per km². The total area was 37.42  km².

The area comprises the old city as well as the Sonoki, Nuttari, Toyano and the Yamagata districts. It is bounded by the Sea of Japan coast to the North and the Tohoku Expressway to the south.

Niigata Station

Central Business District

Chūō-ku is the heart of Niigata in terms of economic and political importance. The City Office is located here along with several central government and prefectural agencies. Japan's national broadcaster NHK has its prefectural TV station and radio station in Chūō-ku. There are several company head offices based in the district. It is also the site of old Niigata City which extends from Niigata Station downtown to Bandai Bridge and Furumachi.

Furumachi

Furumachi-dori Shopping Mall, Niigata City

Furumachi in Niigata city is located on left bank of Shinano River across Bandai Bridge. It lies on Niigata Island and faces the Sea of Japan. The area has been developed around Masaya-koji, which is a wide six-lane thoroughfare connecting Furumachi with Niigata Station.

Furumachi has business districts as well as several historic parts. Narrow alleyways and streets criss cross beneath the modern office buildings. The historic Honcho market is also here.

Much of the area contains modern buildings. This is because Furumachi was rebuilt after an earthquake devastated this part of eastern Niigata in 1964. This is in marked contrast with areas on the west side of the river which still retain traditional-looking streets containing older houses.

Picture shown by aftermath of 1955 Great Niigata Fire in downtown area, according official confirmed report, kills one person with injuries 235


See also

External links

Media related to Chūō-ku, Niigata at Wikimedia Commons