Featuring popular areas near Tokyo
When commuting to Tokyo for work or school, Tokyo is not always the only convenient place to live. There are also areas in the suburbs where you can live with easy access to the city center and a low cost of living.
In this article, we will introduce three popular areas in Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures near Tokyo that are particularly easy to live in. We will also introduce recommended stations in the area for your room search reference.
Kanagawa Prefecture
Kanagawa Prefecture has the second largest population after Tokyo. There are also many tourist attractions and popular commercial facilities. Among these areas of Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama, Kawasaki, and Shonan are the most popular areas for livability.
Yokohama Area
In particular, the Yokohama Station/Shin-Yokohama Station area offers easy access to the city center and is a popular tourist destination. The area around Hiyoshi Station, which is popular as a comfortable place to live in, is convenient for daily life and popular not only among singles but also among households raising children.
Recommended Station 1: Hiyoshi Station
Characteristics
- Characteristics
- A well-developed shopping street where you can buy fresh and reasonably priced food
- Plenty of restaurants
- A city full of students
- Good security
- Lots of streetlights make nighttime streets safe
- No transfers to Yokohama or Shibuya stations
Train lines
- Tokyu Toyoko Line
- Tokyu Meguro Line
- Yokohama Municipal Subway Green Line
Recommended Station 2: Yokohama Station
Characteristics
- Easily accessible due to many train lines
- Plenty of commercial facilities for shopping
- Many restaurants
- Rent prices are slightly higher
- The station is always crowded, so not suitable for those who don't like crowds
- There are many tourists both on weekdays and holidays
- There is a busy shopping area near the station, so there is some concern about public safety
- Commercial and office buildings are mainly located near the station
- The number of residential houses increases and the atmosphere becomes more relaxed when you walk 10-15 minutes away from the station
Train lines
- JR Negishi Line
- JR Tokaido Line
- JR Yokosuka Line
- JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line
- JR Yokohama Line
- Keikyu Main Line
- Tokyu Toyoko Line
- Minatomirai Line
- Sotetsu Main Line
- Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line
Kawasaki Area
The area is adjacent to Tokyo and has easy access to both central Tokyo and Yokohama area.
Recommended Station 1: Musashi Kosugi Station
Characteristics
- Slightly higher rent prices (The prices equivalent to that along the Yamanote Line in Tokyo)
- Streetlights are well maintained, and nighttime streets are safe
- Many restaurants are open until midnight
- Travel within 30 minutes to most major stations in Tokyo as well as Kanagawa Prefecture
Train lines
- JR Yokosuka Line
- JR Nambu Line
- Shonan Shinjuku Line
- Tokyu Toyoko Line
- Tokyu Meguro Line
- Sotetsu Direct Connection Line
Recommended Station 2: Shin-Yurigaoka Station
Characteristics
- Well-known as high-end residential area in Kanagawa Prefecture and safe
- Redevelopment has made it more convenient and the streetscape is beautiful
- All trains including rapid and express stop at the station on the Odakyu Line
Train lines
- Odakyu Odawara Line
- Odakyu Tama Line
Shonan Area
The area faces the sea, with Enoshima Island and other tourist attractions.
In summer, the area near the beach is crowded with surfers and tourists, and security can be a bit erratic. There is no large downtown area, and the area is basically safe in all seasons except summer. Fujisawa City in particular promotes the installation of security cameras to deter crime..
Recommended Station :1 Fujisawa Station
Characteristics
- Safe except in summer
- There are many commercial facilities and restaurants around the station.
- If you are a short distance away from the station, you will find a quiet residential area
- There are many natural parks
Train lines
- JR Tokaido Line
- JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line
- Enoshima Electric Railway
- Odakyu Enoshima Line
Recommended Station 2: Tsujido Station
Characteristics
- Substantial improvement of the station area due to redevelopment
- Many commercial facilities
- Only local trains stop at the station. It takes about 40 minutes to Shinagawa Station and about 55 minutes to Tokyo Station, so it takes a little longer to get to the city center.
- Easy access to Enoshima, Kamakura, Izu, Hakone and other tourist destinations
Train lines
- JR Tokaido Main Line
- JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line
Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture is one of the leading agricultural prefectures in Japan and has a thriving livestock and fishing industry. When you hear just that, you may conjure up a somewhat rural image, but there are many places with good access to the city center and excellent commercial facilities. The most recommended areas are Higashi-Katsushika area and Chiba area.
Higashi-katsushika Area
The area has developed as a commuter town for Tokyo, and rent prices are lower than in central Tokyo.
Recommended Station 1: Shin-Urayasu Station
Characteristics
- Tokyo Station is about 20 minutes away, and you need to change trains at Tokyo Station to go to Shinjuku or Shibuya
- Many streetlights and security cameras are installed around the station, making the streets safe at night, but bicycle theft is common
- Buses to Haneda Airport and Narita Airport arrive and depart.
Train lines
- JR Keiyo Line
Recommended Station 2: Ichikawa Station
Characteristics
- The next station is in Tokyo
- There is also a well-stocked supermarket near the station, making it convenient for shopping. There is also a direct sales center for agricultural products in the city.
- The north exit of the station is a high-end residential area
- Easy access to Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station without transfers
Train lines
- JR Chuo-Sobu Line
- JR Sobu Rapid Line
Recommended Station 3: Matsudo Staion
Characteristics
- Public safety is good. However, since there are many pubs at the West Exit, the East Exit is recommended if safety is important.
- Well-developed commercial facilities and shopping streets
- It takes about 20 minutes to Ueno Station, 30 minutes to Tokyo Station, and 40 minutes to Shinagawa Station. All of them are directly accessible.
Train lines
- JR Joban Line
- Shin-Keisei Line
Chiba Area
Once you leave the front of the station, there are many quiet residential areas, which are recommended for those who want to live in a quiet town while commuting to the city center.
Recommended Station 1: Tsudanuma Station
Characteristics
- Security cameras have been installed as part of the redevelopment, and patrols are actively conducted
- Commercial facilities around the station are well-developed
- A wide variety of restaurants
- JR Sobu Line Rapid runs directly to Yokosuka Line, allowing access to Shinagawa Station and Yokohama Station without transfers.
Train lines
- JR Chuo Sobu Line
- JR Sobu Line Rapid
- Shin-Keisei Line (Shin-Tsudanuma Station)
- Keisei Main Line (Keisei Tsudanuma Station)
Recommended Station 2: Nishi-Chiba Station
Characteristics
- Quiet residential area except in front of the station
- Lots of schools, so the area is bustling with students
- Public safety is good. However, residential areas are often dark because there are few pedestrians and streetlights are scarce.
- It takes about 50 minutes to Akihabara and about 70 minutes to Shinjuku. Accessible without transfers, although it takes a little longer
Train lines
- JR Sobu Main Line
Saitama Prefecture
Although quite a few people have a rural image of Saitama Prefecture, in reality there are many stations that are convenient for living. Some properties are modestly priced for convenient access to the city center, and the central, western, and southwestern areas are particularly popular.
Central Area
The area has good access to central Tokyo via the Saikyo Line and Keihin Tohoku Line.
Recommended Station 1: Urawa Station
Characteristics
- Some areas are traditional high-end residential areas with mansions
- Very safe and secure
- Many commercial facilities and shopping places
- A wide variety of restaurants
- Easy access to Shinkansen as it takes only 6 minutes from Urawa Station to Omiya station.
- When using the Shonan Shinjuku Line, it takes only 25 minutes to get to Shinjuku.
Train lines
- JR Keihin-Tohoku Line
- JR Utsunomiya Line
- JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line
Recommended Station 2: Kawaguchi Station
Characteristics
- It’s convenient for shopping as there is a large commercial facility near the station
- Although security is insecure in some respects, the crime rate has been declining
- Easy access to Ueno Station and Tokyo Station without transfers. However, since the station is served by only one line, it is so crowded that entry to the station is restricted when there are delays or suspended operations.
Train lines
-
Keihin-Tohoku Line
Recommended Station 3: Toda-Kōen Station
Characteristics
- There are limited supermarkets and other places to shop and restaurants around the station
- There are many places to enjoy nature including the Arakawa River
- Residential area with a calm atmosphere
- Rent prices are relatively low
- Easy access to Shinjuku and Shibuya without transfers
Train lines
- JR Saikyo Line
Western Area
Although there are some concerns about safety and noise, the rent is modest due to the distance from the city center.
Recommended Station 1: Kawagoe Station
Characteristics
- As a tourist destination, there are a lot of traffic and drinking districts, so safety remains a bit of a concern
- Large commercial facilities are available for shopping
- There are cafes and restaurants from a variety of countries
- Easy access to Ikebukuro and Shinjuku without transfers
- It's the first station, so you're more likely to be able to sit and travel during rush hour.
Train lines
- JR Kawagoe Line
- Tobu-Tojo Line
Recommended Station 2: Irumashi Station
Characteristics
- A peaceful town with many green belts
- Airplane noise is a concern due to the presence of the Air Self-Defense Force's Iruma Air Base
- Supermarkets close early, which is inconvenient for those who come home late
- It takes about 40 minutes to Ikebukuro Station without transfers
- Not many street lights except along the main streets
- Bus routes are extensive, but some routes are infrequent
Train lines
- Seibu Ikebukuro Line
Southwest Area
The area is especially recommended for those who want to live in a quiet area, as it is often a quiet residential area except for the area around the station.
Recommended Station 1: Fujimino Station
Characteristics
- A town with a lot of greenery and a quiet, calm atmosphere.
- Few entertainment facilities and restaurants
- Supermarkets and shopping places for daily necessities are available
- From that station, you can reach Shibuya and Ikebukuro without changing trains, which takes about 45 minutes and 30 minutes respectively
Train lines
- Tobu Tojo Main Line
Recommended Station 2: Asakadai Station
Characteristics
- The Supermarket in front of the station is conveniently open until midnight
- There aren’t many restaurants or supermarkets if you go a little far from the station
- It takes about 20 minutes to Ikebukuro Station without transfers. Easy access to Shinjuku Station and Shibuya Station in around 30 minutes
- During rush hours, there are many people transferring trains and the station is quite crowded
- The area around the station is well-lit with many streetlights, but when you get a little further away, there are fewer streetlights
Train lines
- Along Tojo Line
- JR Musashino Line (This is "Kita-Asakadai" Station)
Summary
Some people may need to commute to Tokyo for work or school, but may not feel comfortable living in the city center.
It is also a good option for those who want to live a little further from the city center because they no longer have to commute every day thanks to remote work. Those who want to live a little more leisurely while still having easy access to the city center may want to consider the Tokyo suburbs as an area to look for a room.