Tokyo Apartment Guide: Ogikubo Area Overview and Rent Prices

For foreigners starting a new life in Tokyo, choosing your first home is a crucial step. Transportation access, safety, surrounding facilities, and multicultural environment all directly impact your daily life. One area worth considering is "Ogikubo." Despite being just 10 minutes by train from Shinjuku, this well-balanced neighborhood offers a peaceful atmosphere and authentic Japanese lifestyle.

This article provides useful information for foreigners looking for housing, including Ogikubo's characteristics, attractions, and actual rental market rates.

What Kind of Area is Tokyo's Ogikubo?

Ogikubo is a popular residential area in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, known for its excellent access to central Tokyo. Its greatest feature is the ability to enjoy a "local feel" while being close to the city center. With many traditional shopping streets and privately-owned shops, you can experience "authentic Japanese daily life" - one of Ogikubo's main attractions. You can escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle.

Multicultural Community Environment
Ogikubo offers a particularly welcoming environment for foreigners. It's home to the world's first Nepalese school, "Everest International School Japan (EISJ)," which provides English-language education from grades 1 to 12. Additionally, Suginami Ward has a relatively large foreign population, and around Ogikubo Station, you'll find numerous authentic international restaurants serving Chinese, Korean BBQ, Malaysian cuisine, and more.

Ogikubo Station Area

The south side of Ogikubo Station features large supermarkets and shopping facilities, making daily shopping very convenient. Meanwhile, the north side offers quiet residential neighborhoods, perfect for those seeking a more peaceful lifestyle. Near the station, you'll find "Nagomi-no-Yu," a super sento (public bath), where you can easily enjoy Japanese bathing culture. The area around "Zenpukuji River" is particularly green and popular with families.

Nishi-Ogikubo Station Area

Nishi-Ogikubo Station is a small station next to Ogikubo Station, but the area is full of unique charm. Around the station, you'll find distinctive cafes and antique shops, creating a relaxed atmosphere perfect for leisurely time. While there are fewer large commercial facilities, the area features warm, community-oriented shopping streets and small stores, creating a friendly neighborhood atmosphere rooted in local life.

Tokyo Ogikubo Access and Convenience

One of Ogikubo's major attractions is its excellent accessibility to central Tokyo. With multiple transportation options, it's convenient not only for commuting to work or school but also for weekend outings.

Train Information

Ogikubo Station is served by two lines: JR Chuo Line/Sobu Line and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, providing excellent access to various parts of Tokyo. You can reach Shinjuku in about 10 minutes and Tokyo Station in about 30 minutes, making commuting to business districts smooth and efficient.

Travel times to major stations:

• Shinjuku: 11 minutes (Chuo Line Rapid)
• Ikebukuro: 22 minutes (Chuo Line Rapid → Shinjuku Station → Saikyo Line Commuter Rapid)
• Shibuya: 21 minutes (Chuo Line Rapid → Shinjuku Station → Yamanote Line)
• Yokohama: 57 minutes (Marunouchi Line → Shinjuku-sanchome Station → Fukutoshin Line Commuter Express)

Additionally, neighboring Nishi-Ogikubo is also served by the JR Chuo Line, and by using both stations strategically, you can enjoy an even more convenient and enriching Tokyo lifestyle.

Bus Information

Around Ogikubo Station, Kanto Bus, Seibu Bus, and Toei Bus operate routes. Depending on where you live, buses might be more convenient than trains. There are also bus routes to Musashino City, Nerima Station, and Takaido Station, expanding your shopping and sightseeing options.

Is Tokyo's Ogikubo Station Area Livable? 8 Key Points

Here are eight specific reasons why we recommend Ogikubo for foreigners.

1. Complete Daily Life Facilities

The area around Ogikubo Station has comprehensive facilities for daily life, allowing foreigners living in Japan for the first time to live with peace of mind. Starting with "Lumine Ogikubo" directly connected to the station, you'll find convenient shopping options including "Don Quijote" and multiple drugstores. "Seiyu" is particularly convenient as it operates 24 hours, perfect for late nights after overtime work or when you suddenly need something.

2. Diverse Dining Options

Ogikubo is famous as a ramen battleground and popular as a city where you can enjoy delicious gourmet food. Particularly, "Shio Soba Jiku," "Miso-kko Fukku," and "there is ramen" are highly-rated shops beloved by locals.

Beyond ramen, there's a diverse selection of izakaya, cafes, fast food restaurants, and international cuisine restaurants, so you'll never run out of dining options. The wide range of price points accommodates various budgets, from students to working professionals.

3. Remote Work and Freelancer-Friendly Environment

Ogikubo's appeal also lies in its remote work-friendly environment. The area has many coworking spaces and cafes equipped with power outlets and Wi-Fi, making it user-friendly for remote workers and digital nomads.

Examples of cafes with Wi-Fi and power outlets:

• Komeda Coffee Shop Ogikubo West Exit
• Beck's Coffee Shop Ogikubo
• Saint Marc Cafe Ogikubo South Exit
• Tully's Coffee Seibu Shinkin Ogikubo
• Starbucks Coffee Lumine Ogikubo

4. Popular Areas Within Minutes by Train

Ogikubo's excellent location is also evident in its access to surrounding popular areas.

• Koenji, known for vintage shops and live music venues, is about 5 minutes by train
• Kichijoji, famous for stylish cafes and general stores, is about 10 minutes by train
• Nakano, known as a subculture mecca, is about 8 minutes by train

Particularly, since it's about 20 minutes by bicycle from Ogikubo Station to Kichijoji Station, cycling there on nice weather days is also recommended.

5. Peaceful Residential Environment

Despite being only 10-15 minutes by train to Shinjuku, Ogikubo maintains a calm atmosphere and livable environment. Moving slightly away from the station reveals quiet residential neighborhoods with little noise, allowing for peaceful living. Unlike entertainment districts that are noisy until late at night, the area maintains a quiet and safe environment at night, making it popular with families and those who prefer quiet living.

6. Abundant Natural Spaces

Despite being in an urban area, there are numerous spots around Ogikubo where you can feel nature.

Major parks and gardens:

• Otaguro Park: Former residence of a music critic, beautiful autumn colors
• Kadokawa Garden: Garden of a publishing company founder
• Tekigaiso Park: Historic site where Japanese politicians lived
• Dokusho-no-Mori Park
• Zenpukuji Park: In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms while boating on the pond

Particularly famous are the three beautiful gardens called "Ogikubo's Three Gardens," where you can experience Japanese history and culture. Many residents enjoy walking and jogging here, creating an environment conducive to healthy living.

7. Japanese Language Classes and Volunteer Support

Particularly reassuring for foreigners is the comprehensive Japanese language learning support in the community. Around Ogikubo, multiple organizations hold Japanese language classes and events, providing opportunities not only to improve Japanese but also to interact with local people.

Through these activities, you can learn about Japanese culture and customs while becoming part of the local community. Volunteers warmly welcome foreigners, so you can participate with confidence without feeling language barriers.

8. International Multicultural Environment

One of Ogikubo's attractions is its environment where people of diverse nationalities can live comfortably. It's home to the world's first Nepalese school, "Everest International School Japan (EISJ)," which provides English-language education from grades 1 to 12. Currently, over 400 students attend, with 3,000 prospective students on the waiting list, showing its popularity.

Additionally, there are import food stores like "Big Smile Store Nishi-Ogikubo," which handles Italian ingredients and natural wines, and "The Ancient World," which deals with imported ingredients from Lebanon, Armenia, Turkey, and other countries. When you miss the taste of home, you can find comfort here. No matter which country you're from, you can live comfortably in Ogikubo.

Tokyo Ogikubo Rental Apartment Market Rates

The rental market rates for the Ogikubo and Nishi-Ogikubo areas are as follows:

Ogikubo Area Rental Market Rates:

Reference (Nearby Area Comparison):

• Asagaya (neighboring Chuo Line station): 1Bed ¥120,000–162,000
• Koenji (2 stations on Chuo Line): 1Bed ¥130,000–190,000
• Kichijoji (2 stations in opposite direction on Chuo Line): 1Bed ¥120,000–168,000

The rental rates in the Ogikubo and Nishi-Ogikubo areas are very reasonable compared to central Tokyo, while still offering excellent access to the city center - making it an outstanding value location. Nishi-Ogikubo tends to have even lower rents than Ogikubo, making it recommended for those prioritizing budget considerations.

Housing Support for Foreigners

The Ogikubo area offers abundant rental properties for foreigners, with many real estate companies providing language support and assistance with contract procedures. There are also multiple international exchange share houses where you can live while enjoying interactions with Japanese people and foreigners from other countries.

Conclusion

Why not start your Tokyo life in Ogikubo, where excellent access, livability, and a multicultural environment coexist? This ideal environment allows you to live with peace of mind in an international community while experiencing traditional Japanese culture. If you're interested, please feel free to contact us. We'll propose the perfect property for you.