Niigata City's Chuo Ward is blessed with abundant waterfronts: the Sea of Japan to the north, the Shinano River in the center, the Kurinoki River to the east, the Sekiya Diversion Channel to the west, and Toyanogata Lagoon to the south. It is the most prosperous of the city's eight wards, and is being developed as a commercial hub based on the concept of "a waterside town where the city center is bustling and people gather and interact." Three expressways run through the area, and Niigata Station, the departure station for the Joetsu Shinkansen, is located here. Ships to Sado Island also depart by sea. While the area is experiencing intensive land utilization and a concentration of urban functions, it also retains a streetscape that evokes traditional culture, including the Bandai Bridge, designated a national important cultural property, and the port's historic buildings. "Endeko" walks, which allow visitors to experience this history, are frequently held and are extremely popular events.