2020-01-15

Living in Hamura: Guide for Foreigners

Advice

Located less than 50 kilometers west of the Tokyo Metropolitan area, Hamura is a small city with less than 60,000 residents. Surrounded by nature and bordered by the Tama River, this town offers a good balance of small-town tranquility and countless business opportunities.

"Hamura, Tokyo" by Raymond Ling is licensed under CC 2.0

Should You Move To Hamura?

Covering less than 10 square kilometers, Hamura is off most tourists’ charts. Thus, it’s a perfect option for those who want to enjoy peaceful living yet still be within a short drive from central Tokyo.

Although it’s small, it offers many activities and attractions for those who live in the area. Some of the historical highlights are the 7th century Aso Shrine and the Edo-period Maimaizu Well. You can learn more about the history of the city in its Hamurashi Kyodo Museum.

Hamura also has a small zoo with a variety of animals, playgrounds and picnic areas.

Facilities in Hamura

Whether you’re moving to Japan with your family or alone, Hamura offers all the facilities you need for a comfortable daily life. If with children, you can choose one of the seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school.

A wide range of specialty stores will cover all your shopping needs. The city has still preserved many of its small businesses, but if you prefer finding everything in a single spot, you can do so in the COPIO Hamura department store. Larger shopping centers can be found in the surrounding towns, such as the popular Joyful Honda, which sits in neighboring Mizuho.

Excellent restaurants can be found on nearly every corner of the city, and there is something for everyone. Popular among the locals are the Sakamoto udon noodle restaurant, the Chinese restaurant Koran Haten, and the famous yakiniku restaurant Sakai. There are also western eateries such as the Italian-inspired Zonavoce and Spanish Haruka Bar.

"Hamura Station" by Qurren is licensed under CC 2.0

There are two large train stations that connect the city with Tokyo and other nearby areas. The Tama river offers a superb opportunity for daily hikes, and also features a pool if you enjoy water activities. Hamura is surrounded by many other small towns and residential areas that you can reach by foot or a quick train ride.

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Cost Of Real Estate In Hamura

Has Hamura sparked your interest? The next step is to research their real estate opportunities and find a place you could call your home.

When compared to central Tokyo, Hamura offers much more affordable real-estate. You can easily find a house or apartment for less than $500,000. Specifically, the typical cost of a 100 square meter apartment is around $350,000, much less than in more crowded towns of the Greater Tokyo Area.

If you’d prefer to rent for a start, you can also find budget-friendly options. A small apartment up to 25 square meters starts at $400 per month, and a two-bedroom apartment will cost between $650 and $900 per month, depending on its quality, position, and year of construction.

Summary

If you are looking for a safe and peaceful area that offers the right balance of nature and facilities for a comfortable life, Hamura is a great choice for you. Close to the crowds of central Tokyo on the east and the tranquility of the forests on the west, it offers an authentic Japanese atmosphere every expat will appreciate.

Sources: Tokyo 2020 Official Site, Japan Travel, Arkadia