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Which part of Tokyo do you want to live in?

author Posted by: kirin on date Oct 24th, 2010 | filed Filed under: Rambling

studio room rent per month Which part of Tokyo do you want to live in?
“Tokyo” consists of various districts and areas. I’m not talking about 23 wards in Tokyo. While it has busy areas such as Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, etc. some part of Tokyo just looks like a small town and there are districts for business and residential area.

There are uptown and old town area. Especially south-west part of Tokyo such as Minato, Meguro, Shibuya, Shinjuku ward (where Roppongi, Akasaka, Shibuya, Meguro, Ebisu, Shinjuku, etc. are located) are more sophisticated than east or north part of Tokyo. But the area from Kichijoji to Shinjuku is also very popular. What’s good about north-east side of Tokyo is the old town that still keeps deep humanity. It’s said house rent is 10,000yen or more cheaper monthly at the east side of Tokyo, around Kasai (葛西) area for example, when it’s compared with west side.

tokyo metro map Which part of Tokyo do you want to live in?

I found a top 10 ranking of which part of Tokyo we, the locals want to live in, and another 10 ranking that shows which part of Tokyo we actually found it good to live in.
Disclaimer: Original content is from Walker plus.

The town we want to live in.
1. Kichijoji (吉祥寺)
2. Jiyugaoka (自由が丘)
3. Shimokitazawa (下北沢)

4. Ebisu (恵比寿)
5. Nakameguro (中目黒)
6. Meguro (目黒)
7. Shibuya (渋谷)
8. Daikanyama (代官山)
9. Nakano (中野)
10. Shinjuku (新宿)

The town we found good to live in from experience.
1. Kichijoji (吉祥寺)
2. Nakano (中野)
3. Ikebukuro (池袋)
4. Akabane (赤羽)
5. Nakameguro (中目黒)
6. Kamata (蒲田)
7. Sangenjaya (三軒茶屋)
8. Shimokitazawa (下北沢)
9. Koenji (高円寺)
10. Asagaya (阿佐ヶ谷)

As you can see, Kichijoji is always the top of all every year. Kichijoji is close to Shinjuku and Shibuya, while Kichijoji itself has a lot to offer. But it was interesting to find Akabane and Kamata on the second ranking. These places are not so cool, while most of other places have nice cafes or bars. I’m sure the towns listed on the first ranking require high rent. But when we consider leading everyday life, Jiyugaoka or Daikanyama may lack in supermarkets, drug stores or hospitals. Shibuya and Shinjuku could be too busy for living, and also there are so many restaurants and bars but how about supermarkets and hospitals?

I just hope this is something to consider for those who are planning to come over to Tokyo to live in. icon smile Which part of Tokyo do you want to live in?

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tag31 Responses to “Which part of Tokyo do you want to live in?”

  1. Amanda Said,
    October 24th, 2010 at 12:16 pm edit

    I think it might be nice to live in Odaiba. :) What are the "fanciest" places to live in Tokyo? Like, where do the rich people live? I want to live there hehe :3

  2. Cai Said,
    October 24th, 2010 at 12:38 pm edit

    I've only lived in Nakano whenever I'm in Tokyo but I have always wanted to stay in Shimokitazawa! It's such a nice quirky neighbourhood. Are they still planning to tear it down and redevelop it? Because it's wonderful the way it is now!

  3. Apple Said,
    October 24th, 2010 at 1:33 pm edit

    Hi Kirin!!! this is so interesting!! thank you for this post!

    My most recent trip to Tokyo found me wondering about this too. Where would I want to stay if I lived in Tokyo? And I think I would love to stay in either Shimokitazawa or Koenji…

    Shimokitazawa is a place I really really really fell in love with. All my favourite shops and cafes are there, and it has this young, laid-back feeling that I really like.

    As for Koenji…I think I had so much fun with you when we went there, that it gave me a good impression. I went there by myself again after our visit together because I wanted to take more pictures of this place. :)

    So…if I ever moved to Tokyo, I will look for apartments in these 2 areas. I love them too much! ^^

  4. sedonia2 Said,
    October 24th, 2010 at 2:21 pm edit

    from my limited knowledge of Tokyo, I'd want to live in Kichijoji or Ikebukuro, since they're both not far from Shinjuku which is such a cool area. <g> Did I choose well?

  5. Phil Said,
    October 24th, 2010 at 9:36 pm edit

    I like walking around various areas in a city and just trying to imagine what it would be like living there. Besides a comfortable house or apartment, I look for access to public transportation (bus or train) and, of course, safety. I have heard that most areas in Tokyo are fairly safe and it's never very far to transportation so I think I could be happy anywhere in Tokyo. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford most areas of Tokyo!!

  6. kirin Said,
    October 25th, 2010 at 12:15 am edit

    Odaiba sounds nice from the point that it's waterfront, but it's a bit far from main area, such as Shinjuku. But for dog lovers like us, it's got ample space for dogs to walk. ;)

    The rich (for generations) prefer to live in Denenchofu, which is considered as high-class residential area, far from shopping or drinking place. While the young rich and the instant rich would prefer Roppongi.

  7. kirin Said,
    October 25th, 2010 at 12:19 am edit

    Shimokitazawa! Young people and students LOVE to live there! Good choice!! :D
    I'll go check out there, because I have not been there for a long time….:p

  8. kirin Said,
    October 25th, 2010 at 12:23 am edit

    Thank you Apple. :)
    I see how much you liked Koenji when I heard that you returned there again after our visiting. ^ ^

    I wanted to live in more different places in Japan. I was raised in Saitama, (next to Tokyo), my university was in Chiba (next Tokyo), my work was in Tokyo, and now I live in somewhere very near Tokyo.

  9. kirin Said,
    October 25th, 2010 at 12:25 am edit

    Ikebukuro is also nice. There are so many shops, restaurants and entertaining places but there is a quiet residential area when we walk 20 minutes or so from the station.

  10. kirin Said,
    October 25th, 2010 at 12:32 am edit

    That's so true. Access to public transportation is very important to me, too! I don't even own my car, thanks to trains that come every 5 minutes punctually. And yes, most areas in Tokyo, or I'd say in Japan is considered fairly safe. But what happens today is robbery, snatch and murder can happen anywhere in Japan. Compared with 10 years ago or 20 years ago, things have pretty much changed. :(

  11. Lisa Said,
    October 25th, 2010 at 6:23 am edit

    Thanks for this post! It gives a good idea of areas to look out for! ^^

  12. Eli Said,
    October 25th, 2010 at 11:23 am edit

    Hi Kirin ^V^ how is Arakawa, Minamisenju area?

  13. kirin Said,
    October 25th, 2010 at 12:45 pm edit

    Oh, right. This post is useful to you, too!

  14. kirin Said,
    October 25th, 2010 at 12:46 pm edit

    I'm not very familiar with Minamisenju, but I hear things are cheaper and people are nicer there. :)

  15. ベーサ Said,
    October 27th, 2010 at 3:14 pm edit

    I'd like to live in Ebisu or shibuya! ^_^

  16. Rosa Said,
    October 28th, 2010 at 12:10 am edit

    Thanks for the interesting post. I just came back from Japan in August. I was living in Nagoya for a year and the rent is not as high as it is in Tokyo. Yes I love Shimokitazawa because I like going to live concerts but I can't not afford Tokyo lifestyle. Even so, I think it would be nice because all the best live concert venues!

  17. kirin Said,
    October 28th, 2010 at 5:24 am edit

    I agree with Ebisu! I sometimes dream about living in Ebisu or Nakameguro. ^ ^

  18. kirin Said,
    October 28th, 2010 at 5:35 am edit

    Nagoya! I wonder how the life can be there. I've never been there. I always pass there when I go to Osaka. lol
    Thank you for your comment. I'm amazed at how Shimokitazawa is popular among my readers!

  19. Rosa Said,
    October 28th, 2010 at 11:37 pm edit

    I don't know what a Tokyolite might think of Nagoya but my friend in Tokyo would make fun of me because I am a foreigner and I speak Nagoya-ben (I didn't realize this at the time) and that I'm inaka-jin. Yet I always had more money to spend than they did because it's cheaper in Nagoya. I think that compared to Tokyo there isn't very much to do but because of that it's less touristy. I prefer shopping in Nagoya as it is less crowded and there are still plenty of nice place to shop and eat.
    As for Shimokitazawa I don't think I could live there for a very long time. lol

  20. kirin Said,
    October 28th, 2010 at 11:55 pm edit

    Well, when I was younger I thought I was lucky to be based in Tokyo. But as grownup, I wonder how good it was if I knew other places than Tokyo. When we are in Tokyo, we think it's the best of all. But I notice that when I travel some other area in Japan, how people are nicer, things are cheaper, houses are bigger and more comfortable, vegetables taste so good as they are, etc.

    Now I'd even wonder different kind of happiness. Now in Tokyo, I can enjoy cozy restaurants, nice cafe, great shopping opportunity, convenience of everything. But what if I led a little bit more simple life? I could shop online, and maybe I could go to Tokyo once in a while for shopping but everyday life can be somewhere else…

    This is only imagination, but I think your speaking Nagoya-ben is cute and very unique. Each district has its own goodness. There's nothing to make you feel ashamed or inferior to people from Tokyo.

    Bravo your Nagoya-ben!! ;)

  21. Rosa Said,
    October 30th, 2010 at 12:36 am edit

    ★Thanks★

  22. Sansan Said,
    December 12th, 2010 at 10:53 am edit

    As living aspects,I only have experience on Nakano and Higashikurume..
    For me they both were fine.. But maybe it is because im from a small country myself…
    Specially I enjoy the peacefulness of Higashikurume,since it is kinda countryside (atleast all my friends say so :D )
    I could easilly see myself living in Nakano,Higashikurume,or maybe Kichijoji (it looked wonderful,and I could visit Ghibli museum when ever I want to ^_^ )

  23. kirin Said,
    December 13th, 2010 at 6:51 am edit

    Hi Sansan,
    Thank you for your comment to this post. I don't know how Higashikurume is, but I understand the peacefulness that you are speaking of. :) If I were not this busy, I would prefer a quiet and spacious place with much peacefulness. But when I am busy I feel like going to a cafe or deli rather than cooking by myself. ^ ^;

  24. jj_peebody Said,
    January 4th, 2011 at 10:20 pm edit

    hi i found this info really helpful I also had some other questions about places in tokyo if you could helpme out i would be grateful.
    where is the business district?
    what part/district would the VERY rich live in if they lived in highrise condos
    where would someone of an trindy artistic persuasion live?
    where is the low rent part of tokyo?
    what district are all the clubs in?
    and where would you find the most hostess bars?

  25. kirin Said,
    January 5th, 2011 at 6:37 am edit

    Thank you for your interesting question.

    Business district for example is Marunouchi & Tokyo area.
    The wealthy like to live in Denenchofu, and Roppongi.
    Artist and creators like to live in Shimokitazawa or Harajuku.
    The low rent part of Tokyo is north east, such as Nippori – Ueno area.
    Clubs in Roppongi, Azabu or Shibuya, for example.
    Hostess bars in Shinjuku Kabukicho and Ginza.

    Very interesting question, I think I should have included such questions in the post by myself. :D

  26. zyx Said,
    February 23rd, 2011 at 5:36 pm edit

    I've lived here for a bit and this isn't true. Young people come here to shop, but hang around here at night time and you'll see how dead it is. Always different strangers. Too busy in the daytime from shoppers. I think due to its location and reputation, the rents are unaffordable for most young people. I think Koenji is more of the alternative station young people actually live at than Shimokitazawa. Shimokitazawa definitely looks cooler, but I think you'll be surprised by the lack of social activity happening after shopping hours. Also, the neighboring areas around Koenji are more unique and not full of tourists. The stations near Shimo are the tourist hotspots and miserably crowded all the time.

  27. zyx Said,
    February 23rd, 2011 at 5:39 pm edit

    Do you mean near Shibuya station? It's always insanely crowded and smells awful. Ebisu is nice.

  28. kirin Said,
    February 24th, 2011 at 1:24 pm edit

    I thought Shimokitazawa was popular amoung students even today, but then did that change by now? Koenji is definitely popular among young people thanks to easy access to Shinjuku and its convenient shopping avenue as well as many nice shops and restaurants. Compared with other stations nearby such as Kichijoji or Asagaya, Koenji is slightly reasonable, which is another reason that makes it supported by young people.

  29. kirin Said,
    February 24th, 2011 at 1:31 pm edit

    Shibuya is a district that was built on the river. Looking at the kanji SHIBUYA (渋谷), that tells us it's related with water or a valley. That's why there are so many slopes that go down to the station. If you smell something awful, you must be very sensitive.

  30. Lulu Said,
    January 18th, 2012 at 1:01 pm edit

    Toyoko line, Odakyu line, Inokashira line, and Keio line represent the decent residential areas where middle to upper middle class, well educated, high income (not too rich) people gather to live, so generally speaking less crimes. I mean off course there are many other decent places in Tokyo, but I am talking about the generally recoginized norm here in Tokyo. The passengers' highest average income in Tokyo is Inokashira line, however still lots of cheaper rent apts are available since lots of schools are there. Well, if you are totally new to Tokyo with ordinary budget, I recommend to start living along with these train lines to explore Tokyo safely. By the way, I am native Japanese, born and grew up in Tokyo.

  31. kirin Said,
    January 18th, 2012 at 11:49 pm edit

    Wow! You are very good at explanation. I had a vague idea like that but I was not so very sure…
    Thank you for your comment, Lulu.
    日本人の方に読んでいただき、コメントもいただくということはめったにありませんでした。ありがとうございます。

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