Chūō-ku, Chiba

Chūō-ku, Chiba
Chūō
中央
—  Ward of Chiba  —
中央区• Chūō-ku
Chiba Prefectural offices
Location of Chūō in Chiba
Chūō is located in Japan
Chūō
 
Coordinates: 35°37′14″N 140°08′09″E / 35.62056°N 140.13583°E / 35.62056; 140.13583Coordinates: 35°37′14″N 140°08′09″E / 35.62056°N 140.13583°E / 35.62056; 140.13583
Country Japan
Region Kantō
Prefecture Chiba
City Chiba
Area
 – Total 44.81 km2 (17.3 sq mi)
Population (February 2011)
 – Total 199,650
 – Density 4,460/km2 (11,551.3/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Address 3-10-8 Chūō, Chūō-ku Chiba-shi, Chiba-ken
260-8733
Website Official website of Chūō-ku
Chūō Ward within Chiba

Chūō Ward (中央区 Chūō-ku?) is one of the six wards of the city of Chiba in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, and is the seat of the city government, and the location of the prefectural government offices for Chiba Prefecture. It is also the commercial center of Chiba. As of 2011, the ward had an estimated population of 199,650 and a population density of 4,460 persons per km². The total area was 44.81 km², making it the most populous of the six wards of Chiba city.

Contents

Geography

Chūō Ward is located in southwestern Chiba city, facing Tokyo Bay. Much of the coastal area of the ward is built on reclaimed land.

Surrounding municipalities

History

The fortified residence (Inohana Castle) of the Chiba clan was located in the area of present-day Chūō Ward during the Kamakura period. The area was controlled by the Satomi clan during the Sengoku period, and was mostly tenryo territory ruled directly by the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period.

After the Meiji Restoration, the area of present-day Chūō Ward was divided on April 1, 1889 into the town of Chiba and villages of Soga, Miyako, Chishiro, and Oihama within Chiba District. Soga was raised to town status on May 23, 1890, and Chiba Town became Chiba City on January 1, 1921. On November 10, 1928, Oihama was raised to town status. The city of Chiba annexed Soga and Miyako on February 11, 1937, followed by Chishiro on February 11, 1944 and Oihama on February 11, 1955.

With the promotion of Chiba to a designated city with additional autonomy from Chiba prefecture and the central government on April 1, 1992, the city was divided into six wards, with the central ward designed Chūō Ward.

Economy

Chūō Ward is the center for industry and commerce for Chiba City. During the post-war era, the area developed largely as a company town to the neighboring steel works of Kawasaki Steel (JFE Steel Corporation).

Transportation

Railroads

Chiba-Chūō -Chibadera -Ōmoridai

Chiba • Chiba-kōen • Sakusabe • Tendai • Anagawa • Sports Center • Dōbutsukōen • Mitsuwadai • Tsuga • Sakuragi • Oguradai • Chishirodai-Kita • Chishirodai

Highways

Education

Local attractions

Noted people from Chūō Ward