Nakano

Nakano (中野) is a Japanese toponym and surname. The most prominent use is Nakano Ward in Tokyo Metropolis, commonly referred to as Nakano-ku, one of Tokyo’s 23 special wards. Located in western Tokyo, the ward is predominantly residential and commercial, with a dense urban fabric and a history of neighborhood diversity. A cultural anchor is Nakano Broadway, a multi-story shopping complex near Nakano Station that specializes in manga, anime, and collectibles. The area around the station also hosts parks, eateries, and small businesses.

The name Nakano appears beyond Tokyo as a place name in several prefectures and is used as a Japanese surname. The kanji 中野 means “middle field,” a common topographic origin. There is also a city named Nakano in Nagano Prefecture, among other municipalities with the same name.

In broader use, Nakano is encountered in institutions, corporate names, and personal surnames, reflecting its status as a common geographic and family name.