Chiyoda Ward is located at the heart of Tokyo’s 23 special wards and is one of the most concentrated areas for Japan’s political, economic, and judicial functions. It houses key national institutions such as the Prime Minister’s Official Residence, the National Diet Building, the Supreme Court, and various central government ministries, making it the core of Japan’s capital functions. Along with Chūō Ward and Minato Ward, it forms the "Three Central Wards," which constitute the heart of Tokyo.
Chiyoda Ward was established in 1947 through the merger of the former Kōjimachi and Kanda wards. Its name is derived from “Chiyoda Castle,” another name for Edo Castle. The ward’s boundaries roughly match the outer moat of Edo Castle. At its center lies the Imperial Palace, which occupies about 15% of the ward’s area and serves as its most historic and symbolic green space.
Economically, Chiyoda is home to one of Japan’s largest business districts—Marunouchi and Ōtemachi—where many major corporations and financial institutions have their headquarters, including the three megabanks. Tokyo Station, located in eastern Marunouchi, is a major transportation hub in Japan, connecting several Shinkansen and local railway lines.
Despite being a center for government and business, Chiyoda lacks large-scale commercial and entertainment districts compared to sub-centers like Shinjuku and Shibuya. Due to past urban hollowing (commonly known as the "doughnut phenomenon"), the residential area ratio has been low and population density relatively sparse. However, with the recent trend of “returning to the city center,” the ward's residential population has been on the rise.
Geographically, the western part of the ward lies on the eastern edge of the Musashino Plateau, including elevated areas such as Kōjimachi-dai and Surugadai, while the eastern part is an alluvial plain. The Kanda River flows from the north through the ward and splits into the Nihonbashi River near Misakibashi, forming an important part of the local river system.
