Tokyo/Nakano

Nakano is well connected by various train lines, both above and under ground.
The most important stop is Nakano on the JR Chuo and JR Chuo-Sobu lines, where JR Chuo rapid (orange) and JR Chuo-Sobu local (yellow) trains stop. Additionally, there are also local trains on the JR-Chuo line during peak hours. Nakano is also the terminal stop for trains on the Tokyo Metro Tozai subway line (sky blue, stop T01). Nevertheless, some trains of the Tozai line will continue on the JR Chuo line as Chuo-Sobu local trains after reaching Nakano. Travelers reach Nakano quickest with JR Chuo line rapid trains which operate on a frequent schedule from Shinjuku station (1 stop, 5 minutes, ¥150) and Tokyo station (5 stops, 20 minutes ¥210). Nakano's main commercial area (i.e. most shops and restaurants, including Nakano Sunmall and Nakano Broadway) are just north of the station.
Please pay attention to the actual service before you board a JR Chuo rapid train. The most frequent service, simply called rapid (orange), as well as the commuter rapid (purple) and the Ome special rapid (green) are the only ones stopping in Nakano. But the special rapid (pale turquoise), the commuter special rapid (pink), and the Chuo and Ome liners (both pale orange) pass Nakano. Given in parentheses are the signature colors on the service diagrams (not to be confused with the line colors), which can be found on the station platforms and show what service stops/passes what stations.
Also on the JR Chuo line is Higashi Nakano (East Nakano) but only just JR Chuo-Sobu local trains stop there.
Further north of the ward Arai Yakushi-mae, Numabukuro, Nogata, Toritsu Kasei and Saginomiya are stops on the Seibu Shinjuku line, which does not terminate at Shinjuku (as the name might suggest to some) but at Seibushinjuku, i.e. Seibu's own station a bit north of Shinjuku station.
The south of the ward is connected by Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line with trains stopping in Nakano Sakaue where the line is split and most trains continue to Shin-Nakano but some continue on the Honancho branch to Nakano Shimbashi and Nakano Fujimicho instead. Trains run to Shinjuku and Tokyo stations from all these stops.
Additionally to these east-west bound lines, there's one south-north bound line. The Toei Oedo line stops at the already mentioned Nakano Sakaue and Higashi Nakano station as well as at Shin-Ekoda. Once again, trains on this line also stop at Shinjuku station.
Further stations of various (including not previously mentioned) lines stop just outside of the ward, providing additional connections to places close to the ward's border. Ochiai station on the Tozai line, while situated in neighboring Shinjuku ward, even has exits in Nakano ward.

• Baishoin

  address: 5-3-5 Arai, Nakano
  51 weeks of the year, this is just a small, unimportant and uninteresting temple connected to an equally uninteresting park / playground. But during one week in the year, in early April, this is where Nakano celebrates hanami. There are lots of white cherry trees on the way there already, and some more sakura can be seen on the grounds. At this time, there are also lots of food stalls and even a small stage with some traditional singing and dancing going on. If you want to be amazed by the sheer number or size of cherry trees (or hanami parties), there are better places in Tokyo. But if you're in Nakano anyway, it's a nice place to see how the local people enjoy the sakura season and grab some typical Japanese bites.

• Nakano SunmallThe center of Nakano's commercial area is a over 200m long covered shopping street (arcade) featuring a wide variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. Branching off to the east are several side-streets with various additional restaurants, including many Izakaya.

• Nakano Broadway and the Broadway Arcade

  address: 5-52-15 Nakano
  On the 2nd and 3rd floor of this otherwise typical suburban shopping complex is the Broadway Arcade. Renowned throughout Tokyo and beyond for its jam-packed stores catering to the "otaku" culture of comics, anime, collectible toys, and the like. If you're looking for two-meter-high Godzilla figure, this is where you'll find it. There are also some used and specialty audio and video equipment stores, along with a wide variety of other stores catering towards the general public mainly on the lower levels. Note, that no escalators go to the 2nd and 4th floor but there's several staircases.

• Various EateriesWhile you probably won't find any outstanding restaurants in Nakano, there's lots of options if you get hungry while there. There are lots of restaurants (mostly chains) in Nakano Sunmall and dozens of eateries and izakaya in the side streets next to it. There's something for every taste, e.g. Ramen, Sushi, Soba, Curry, Pizza, Burgers, etc.

• Marui's Restaurant Floor

  address: 3-34-28 Nakano
  A couple of typical department store restaurants, offering both Japanese and overseas food.

• The Hangover

  phone: +81 90-3721-6982
  address: Chuo 1-51-4, Nakano
  This is a bar for the microbrew enthusiast. There are beers from Japan and other countries in bottles and on tap. The selection changes from week to week, which means there's always something new on hand. Bar food is available, as well. English is spoken.