Tokyo is a city made from hundreds of smaller cities. From the neon-drenched streets of Ikebukuro and Akihabara, to quaint corners of Yanesen and Shibamata, and the hip havens of Koenji and Shimokita, where you choose to live — either long or short term — has a significant effect on how you enjoy the city. If you’re looking for a place that has a good balance of unique local culture, accessibility, and affordability, here are a few options worth considering.  

Kiyosumi-Fukagawa

Attractions: Coffee, Kiyosumi Garden, Edo-museum 
Close to: Nihombashi, 15 minutes on Hanzomon Line

Kiyosumi-Fukagawa is the perfect place for those who need a little laid back ‘yin’ to inner-Tokyo’s more manic ‘yang’. Home to the gorgeous Meiji-era Kiyosumi Garden, this once working-class area is one of the city’s most livable neighbourhoods; it’s is full of affordable apartments, spacious open public spaces like the Kiyosumi Park and some of the best coffee spots in the city. US coffee giants Blue Bottle and the New Zealand coffee masters Allpress both loved the area so much they made it home to their flagship Tokyo stores. 

Nerima City

Attractions: Toshimaen theme park, Toshimaen onsen, retro ambiance
Close to: Shinjuku, 19 minutess on Oedo Line

Tokyo's landscape is undeniably modern, but get out of the skyscraper-populated pockets of Shinjuku, and you'll find the city has plenty of retro appeal too — and Nerima City is one great example of that. Technically a “ward”, the fifth largest in Tokyo in fact, Nerima City is home to wide unpopulated streets, locally owned independent stores and the secretive Shakujii Park and Hikarigaoka Park, both of which are especially stunning in spring. Nerima also boasts its own retro-theme park, Toshimaen complete with a petting zoo and water park too. For something a little more adult, there's also Toshimaen Niwa No Yu, a large onsen complex just a few minutes' walk from Nerima Station. 

Yutenji

Attractions: Yutenji Street, Yutenji Temple, local restaurants 
Close to: Nakameguro, 15-minute walk

The ideal place to stay if you’re trying to balance budget, convenience, and trendiness, Yutenji is a quiet neighbourhood walking distance from the ultra-chic Nakameguro, but without the high rental prices. Yutenji’s accessibility is part of its appeal, located on the Tokyu Line which also services Jiyugaoka, Shibuya, and connects Ikebukuro to the north and Yokohama to the south. While the area doesn’t have any big-name attractions, it has plenty of local restaurants, cafes, and bars, and its more community-centric atmosphere makes the neighbourhood feel like a homey escape from the more populated pockets of the city.

Ikejiri

Attractions: Meguro Sky Garden, convenient location, Bunkayokusen onsen, cafes
Close to: Shibuya, 20-minute walk | Nakameguro, 30-minute walk | Sangenjaya, 15-minute walk

Ikejiri is often overlooked because its most defining feature is the massive motorway interchange that runs through the middle of the neighbourhood. However, if you’re willing to look beyond its most unsightly feature, there’s plenty of reason to call it home. Right by the motorway, you’ll find the always-quiet Meguro Sky Garden, a scenic public garden located high above the city skyline, well worth a visit all year round. Ikejiri is also populated by a cluster of trendy smaller cafes and eateries who are taking advantage of the area’s central location and cheap rent which add to its under-the-radar appeal. Shibuya, Nakameguro, and Sangenjaya are all within 30 minutes walking distance too. 

Yanesen

Attractions: Old-world shitamachi stores, Yanaka Ginza shopping street, cats
Close to: Nippori Station, 4-minute walk | Ueno, 15 minutes on Yamanote Line

Sitting just east of Ueno Park, Yanesen is the name given to the combined neighbourhoods of Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi. The name comes from the first two letters of each area. Managing to avoid any serious damage during the Great Kanto earthquake and the bombings of World War II, this northern corner of the city has retained its well-preserved traditional architecture creating an ambiance that feels worlds away from inner-city Tokyo. Perfect for those who love more down-tempo vibes, street food, traditional Japanese culture, classic shitamachi (downtown) atmosphere and cheap rent— it’s the ideal place to stay just a short or long time. 

Kagurazaka

Attractions: French cafes, traditional Japanese architecture, Akagi Jinja
Close to: Shinjuku, 10 minutes on Chuo Line

Exploring the streets of Kagurazaka, it’s sometimes hard to believe that you’re not in a quaint European town. The area is populated by cute French patisseries and Italian supermarkets, while European cafe music is pumped through the public speakers. Turn a corner down one of the many cobblestone streets though, and you’ll find traditional Japanese bars and ‘members only’ clubs thrown in for good measure. The global influence comes from the neighbourhood’s influential international population, making it a great place to stay if you’re looking for both Japanese charm and a taste of the more familiar. 

By Lucy Dayman 

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