2018-01-31
Living in Komagome: Guide For Foreigners
- Advice
You may not have heard of Komagome before. Located in Toshima-ku, it is not a famous tourist spot of Tokyo, but is still filled with must-visit spots for nature lovers and fans of the traditional Japanese culture.
Residents of Komagome will also tell you how convenient it is to live there, due to the two train lines that connect to Komagome Station.
Read further to find more about Komagome.
Komagome – A traditional neighborhood in modern Tokyo
Komagome has two sides that are loved by its residents.
One one hand, the area has a convenient shopping district (shotengai) that will take you back to the Showa Period. You can also easily access the good-old streets of Sugamo where more shopping options await you.
On the other, there is a nature-filled high-class residential area called Hon-Komagome, known to be the home to politicians and successful businessmen.
Adding to the convenience of the area is Komagome Station, which connects to the Yamanote Line and Nanboku Line. You will be able to directly access central parts of Tokyo within minutes.
Access
- From Tokyo Station, take the Yamanote line to Komagome Station (17 minutes)
- From Shibuya Station, take the Yamanote line (22 minutes)
- From Shinjuku Station, take the Yamanote line (15 minutes)
Famous Locations
Rikugien Gardens
The Rikugien Gardens is a historical garden, built in the late 17th century as the house for Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, a prominent figure during the period of shogunate rule. It was only in 1938 when the garden was gifted to Tokyo and was available for public use.
Today, Rikugien Gardens is considered one of Tokyo’s most beautiful gardens. You can spend hours walking in the breathtaking nature, and have a rest afterwards in a tearoom.
In the spring, the cherry blossom trees are lighted up, providing a different atmosphere from when seeing it during daylight.
Access
- Address: 6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
- Location: 10 minutes on foot south of Komagome Station on the Yamanote Line or Namboku Line.
Kyu Furukawa Gardens
Kyu-Furukawa Gardens is a massive park that showcases Japanese and Western styled gardens.
You can venture into a different world upon visiting the Western-style garden. It is filled with beautiful roses and has a Western-inspired residency, containing the Otani Art Museum.
Upon entering the Japanese garden, you will encounter a heart-shaped (or rather, the Japanese character for ‘heart’) pond and some tall “stone lanterns”.
With so many activities to do and places to see, you will never get bored of the serene gardens.
Access
- Address: 1-1-27-39 Nishigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo
- Location: 5-10 minutes on foot southeast of Nishigahara station on the Namboku Subway Line
Shimofuri Ginza Shopping Street
Shimofuri Ginza Shopping Street is where you can go back in time to the Showa Period. There are supermarkets, apparel stores, eateries, and other specialty stores, providing a one-stop destination for local residents.
Locals also manage the stores and eateries, so you can get a sense of the strong community, a rarity for an urban area like Tokyo. It is not fancy, but its cozy atmosphere makes people want to always come back.
Access
- Address: 1-55-10 Nishigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo
- Location: 5 minutes on foot north of Komagome station
Why foreigners live in Komagome
Laid-back atmosphere of Show-period Japan
Komagome is one of the few remaining places in Tokyo that preserve the retro “shitamachi” atmosphere that was prevalent in the Showa Period. This is evident in the strong community and the good-old shopping district.
Foreigners who want to experience a traditional, cozy community, Komagome is an attractive location.
High-class Residential Area
Hon-Komagome houses multiple high-class condominiums that are home to wealthy people. You can live luxuriously and in peace while being just minutes away from the central areas of Tokyo.
Easy access to popular places
From Komagome station, you can take two train lines which can take you to the most popular areas of Tokyo.
With the Yamanote Line, areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Harajuku, and Tokyo are all accessible within 23 minutes by the Yamanote Line.
With the Namboku Subway Line, you can access stations such as Nagatacho and Iidabashi which are convenient for transferring to other subway lines.
Conclusion
Komagome is not a well-known area in Tokyo, but it has its own charms. Furthermore, the prices are compared to other areas relatively cheap and popular locations are easy to access.
If you are looking for a property in a “shitamachi” part of Tokyo, Komagome is a highly recommended area.
Here at SEKAI PROPERTY, we offer many properties for sale in Komagome, so make sure to check them out by clicking the blue link below.
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If you have any questions or would like to arrange a viewing, please feel free to contact us!