中央

中央区 Chuo-ku, "Center Ward," is a part of many Japanese cities. In Tokyo, Chuo-ku includes Nihonbashi and Ginza. In Osaka, Chuo-ku is the central business district between the Midosuji and Osaka Castle. In Kobe, Chuo-ku is roughly the area between Nata and Shinkaichi, including Sannomiya, Motomachi, and Port Island. In Fukuoka, Chuo-ku is everything between the Fukuoka Dome and City Hall. In Chiba, Chuo-ku is the Gibsonian area around JR Chiba and Soga stations. Finally, in Sapporo, Chuo-ku is virtually the entire commerical area of the city, including Mount Maru and Mount Asahi.

Chuo is also a common element in the names of train stations (makes sense, right? Doesn't NYC have Grand Central?): Senri Chuo, Chiba New Town Chuo, Woodytown Chuo, and Sasebo Chuo, among others.