Arakawa City Area Guide
Arakawa City is located in the northeastern part of Tokyo's 23 wards and borders Taito, Adachi, and Kita wards. The area is well-connected by multiple train lines, including the JR Joban Line, Keisei Main Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, and the Toden Arakawa Line, offering easy access to major stations such as Ueno, Tokyo, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro. Nippori is home to the Nippori Fabric Town, known for its wide selection of textiles, and Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street, where visitors can experience traditional downtown Tokyo. In recent years, Nippori has seen an increase in foreign tourists and residents, giving the neighborhood a more international atmosphere. With its calm residential environment and relatively affordable property prices compared to central Tokyo, Arakawa City is popular among families and senior citizens.
Arakawa City Key Data
- Area
- 10.16 km²
- Population
- 222,149
- Population Density
- 21,877 / km²
- Foreign Residents
- 23,680
Major Stations and Access to Key Areas in Tokyo
Major Train Stations in Arakawa City
- Nippori Station (JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Joban Line, Keisei Main Line, Nippori-Toneri Liner)
- Nishi-Nippori Station (JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
- Mikawashima Station (JR Joban Line)
- Machiya Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Keisei Main Line, Toden Arakawa Line)
- Minami-Senju Station (JR Joban Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Tsukuba Express)
Average Travel Time from Major Stations to Key Tokyo Area
| Departure Station | Shinjuku | Tokyo | Shibuya | Ikebukuro | Ueno | Shinagawa | Akihabara |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nippori Station | About 15 min | About 8 min | About 25 min | About 10 min | About 4 min | About 18 min | About 6 min |
| Nishi-Nippori Station | About 12 min | About 10 min | About 22 min | About 9 min | About 6 min | About 20 min | About 8 min |
| Minami-Senju Station | About 20 min | About 12 min | About 30 min | About 18 min | About 8 min | About 22 min | About 10 min |
Living Convenience for Foreign Residents
International Schools
- Aloha International School Minami-Senju Campus: An English-immersion preschool and elementary program for children from 1.5 years old. Offers preschool, kindergarten, and after-school classes fully in English.
- Minami-Senju International Preschool: An all-English preschool for children aged 3 to 5, with bilingual native and Japanese teachers. Subjects include math, language, and arts taught in English.
Medical Facilities with Foreign Language Support
- Tokyo Women's Medical University East Medical Center: Located in Nishiogu, some departments offer English-language support.
Popular Supermarkets and Restaurants Among Foreign Residents
- Olympic Minowa Store: A local supermarket that offers a range of international food products, popular with foreign residents.
- Cafés and eateries in Yanaka Ginza: Retro-style shops and restaurants with nostalgic downtown charm, popular with foreign visitors.
Public Support Services for Foreign Residents
- Arakawa International Exchange Association: Provides multilingual life consultation services and Japanese language learning support for foreign residents.
Popular Neighborhoods in Arakawa City
- Nippori: Known for excellent transportation and traditional downtown atmosphere.
- Nishi-Nippori: A quiet residential area with a family-friendly living environment.
- Minami-Senju: Undergoing redevelopment with increasing numbers of new condominiums and shopping facilities.
- Machiya: Features the charming streetcars of the Toden Arakawa Line and a peaceful cityscape.
Housing Market in Arakawa
Arakawa City combines a warm downtown atmosphere with excellent access to central Tokyo. Redevelopment in areas like Nippori and Minami-Senju has improved the living environment. Both rental and purchase prices are generally more affordable than central Tokyo, making it a desirable area for families and foreign residents.
The pre-owned condominium market in Arakawa has shown steady growth in recent years. As of 2024, the average price is approximately JPY 44.47 million (about JPY 786,000 per square meter), placing it in the mid-range among Tokyo’s 23 wards. Over the past three years, prices have risen by about 7.8%, and stable asset value is expected going forward.
Average Rent by Floor Plan
| Layout | STUDIO | 1Bedroom | 2Bedrooms | 3Bedrooms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent (JPY/month) | ¥80,000–120,000 | ¥140,000–200,000 | ¥200,000–320,000 | ¥280,000–450,000 |
Average Prices for Pre-Owned Homes
| Property Type | Apartment (70m²) | Single-Family Home (100m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | ¥52,300,000 | ¥56,270,000 |