photo by Loïc Lagarde
About 400,000 foreign residents reside in Tokyo. The number dropped after the global financial crisis but it recovered and keeps growing in recent years. Tokyo is an extremely attractive city which consists of a number of unique suburbs and has many aspects within a limited area. Suburbs like Shibuya, Shinjuku and Roppongi are perfect places for dining out, outing and shopping, but you may want somewhere safer and quieter with a good atmosphere when it comes to choosing where to live. So, which suburbs in Tokyo is most liked by foreign residents? Let’s have a look the top 6 in the best suburb ranking of foreign residents. (Reference: “Japan Talk – 22 Best Places to Live in Tokyo”)
1st Azabu: Right in the middle of Tokyo but not overly posh
Azabu is a mix-cultured suburb where many foreign embassies ae located and thus many foreign residents live in. The accessibility to this area has been developed since Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and Toei Oedo Line were extended and Azabu-juban Station was opened. Of course, there are many restaurants and diners to pick that serve dishes from all over the world when you miss your local food, but don’t forget that there is Nissin World Delicatessen in Azabu-juban. The most of goods sold here are imported and more than half of the customers are foreign nations. All the goods descriptions are written in Japanese and English and some of the shop staff speak English. Also, a mixture of trendy shops and old local stores in Azabu-juban shopping area shows both stylish and old-fashioned face of the suburb with a long history.
2nd Jiyugaoka: The pretty neighborhood is girl’s favorite
Locating in the south of Meguro-ku, Juyigaoka is a very popular suburb for all kind of people from youngsters to families, but especially for females. Here is always busy with people who are dropping by unique stores, cake shops and cafes standing side by side around the railway station, but there still is a peaceful atmosphere unlike other major suburbs such as Shibuya and Shinjuku. The tree-lined street through the area around the south exit of the station is called the “Green Street”. Many street benches are sitting underneath the cherry trees along the street for visitors who enjoy viewing the contrast of a paved footpath and beautiful greens. Also, local events such as “Sakura Festival” in spring and “Megami Festival” in autumn are held annually in this suburb. These events can be a great chance for foreign residents to get to know local Japanese residents.
3rd Hiroo: International suburb with plenty of greens
Locating in the west of Minato-ku, the same area where number-1 ranked suburb Azabu, Hiroo is also known as the area that many foreign embassies and foreign residents are. From Hiroo station, it is just 3-minutes by Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Roppongi, where many shops targeting foreign residents and tourists, and you can go to Ginza and Akihabara without changing a train. National Azabu Super Market, the long-established grocery store satisfying foreign residents’ needs since decades ago, is handy place to get imported foods and ingredients. Once away from the busy station, a quiet residential neighborhood stretch out there. With no tall buildings, the sky looks a lot wider and higher here. The green rich Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park gives local residents quiet and peaceful moments right in the middle of the city. Also, many medical providers are located in this area so that there is no need to panic when getting sick or injured. Only downside is expensive property prices that reflect the popularity of the area.
4th Omotesando: Rapidly changing center of Tokyo culture
Running close to the border of Minato-ku and Shibuya-ku, Omotesando is the most stylish area of Japan where a number of fashion brands flagship stores and fine dining restaurants are standing side by side. Many fashion brand shops tenant in the fashion landmark Omotesando Hills that is permanently busy with people from inside and outside of the country. This suburb is rather inconvenient to reside as it is permanently crowded and there are only few reasonable stores to shop everyday groceries. But nothing can be more exciting than being exposed to the latest of trend and living stimulative life here. Perhaps areas about 10-munites walk distance from the station is the best to find a place to live as there are only a limited number of residential properties around the railway station.
5th Ebisu: Handy location, relaxing and sophisticated town
Ranked number-1 in the best suburb ranking 2016 by Japanese residents, Ebisu is connected to all directions in Tokyo by JR lines and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line thus very popular for all kind of people. The most outstanding landmark of the suburb Ebisu Garden Place is a huge complex facility which consists of offices, residential apartments, shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities. In this suburb, there are casual izakaya-pubs and cafes among high-fashion shops and fine dining restaurants to welcome all kind of people. Rent prices here is quite expensive but it is a well-maintained safe area for female residents who live by themselves.
6th Kichijoji: Live your own life in relaxed atmosphere
A little out of central Toyko, Kichijoji of Misashinno-shi has always been highly ranked in the best suburb ranking by Japanese residents. Shopping complex, department stores, home electronics mass-retailers, shopping arcade, drug stores and fancy items shops, everything you need can be purchased in the shopping area around the railway station. Also, there are plenty of places to dine out including fancy cafes, casual diners and izakaya-pubs. Among others, “Harmonica Alley” where almost a hundred diners and pubs are standing along maze-like alleys has a friendly air that strangers often share a great time together at a squashy table as if long-time friends. Once away from the shopping area, a peaceful residential area stretch out there. The Inokashira Park located 10-minutes’ walk from Kichijoji station is a green-rich oasis in the city where people can feel seasons. Many foreign residents jogging on the footpath can be seen here.
So, which neighborhood do you like most?
The giant metropolis Tokyo is a complex of many unique towns. Choosing where to live in Tokyo is an important decision as it greatly affects your afterward lifestyle. So, these 6 suburbs introduced in this column may be worth considering when you decide a place to live in Tokyo.
