2020-02-20

Living In Tsukuda and Tsukishima: Guide for Foreigners

Advice

Tsukishima is an artificial island constructed in 1892 as part of a land reclamation project. It sits across from the Tsukuda-Ohasi Bridge near the Ginza area of Tokyo to the East, and Chuo Ward to the West.

Tsukuda is the Northern area of Tsukishima, which was redesigned in the 90s, giving the island an interesting mix of modern cityscape and traditional architecture. This makes it a popular destination for a day trip, but it’s also one of the most sought-after residential areas in this part of Tokyo.

Besides the unique fusion of old and new, these areas are known for their beautiful scenery and delicious food.

"Tsukishima" by Naoyuki Sasaki is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Things To Do In Tsukuda and Tsukishima

"Tsukishima" by Shibuya246 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

If you are traveling by train, you will arrive at Tsukishima Station, the main traffic hub, which connects with other parts of Tokyo via the Yurakucho and Oedo Subway lines. If you’re coming from Tokyo Station, hop on the JR Yamanote Line and transfer to the Yurakucho Line in Yurakucho. The whole ride will take you less than 8 minutes.

As soon as they arrive, most visitors will head out to Monja and Nishinaka streets, both packed with traditional shops offering their version of two popular dishes: tsukudani and monjayaki. Tsukudani is made with small pieces of seafood, seaweed, or meat, which are slowly simmered in soy sauce and sake, and often placed on top of a rice bowl. Monjayaki is a pancake-like dish made with batter and a mix of ingredients that are pan-fried on high heat.

Once you’ve enjoyed a good meal, head out towards Tsukuda where you can see most of the old buildings. This is where the fusion of modern and historic is most visible, and some historic houses are still used as family shops which have hardly changed over the years. For more historical landmarks, visit the beautiful Sumiyoshi Jinja Shrine, dedicated to Japanese gods of the sea and sailing.

Sumida River Terrace is a popular place for family picnics, peaceful lunch breaks, and jogging. It’s surrounded by greenery on one side and offers stunning views of the nearby bridges and cityscape on the other, and it will certainly become one of your favorite places if you move to Tsukishima.

The Price Of Living in Tsukuda & Tsukishima

"Tsukishima" by Shibuya246 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Tsukushima is in central Tokyo, so it’s not as affordable as some more distant areas. However, there are still options for both those who are looking for budget-friendly living and those with more luxurious tastes.

A one-way ticket to Tokyo Station is around 170 yen and approximately 200 to 300 yen to Shinjuku, depending on the line you take. If you fall in love with tsukudani and monjayaki and want to eat out at restaurants every day, you will pay between 800~1,500 yen per dish in most of the restaurants.

The price range of monthly rent varies, and you will likely be able to find something that suits you regardless of your budget. The usual price for a 1 bedroom apartment in an older building starts at 100,540 yen, while a studio apartment in modern buildings starts at 273,000 yen. Two-bed apartments range from 200,000 yen all the way up to a million yen. These prices correlate with proximity to the station, the age of the building, as well as its size, interior, and facilities. In general, these prices are not much different from surrounding areas of Tokyo, but the area offers a much more peaceful lifestyle and quieter surroundings.

The Takeaway

Tsukuda & Tsukishima are two adjacent neighborhoods that are among the best places to live in Tokyo if you want to be in the city center, but have as much peace and quiet as possible. They allow you to enjoy the comforts of modern life, yet have preserved a charming old-fashioned atmosphere, and the traditional restaurants will make you crave their famous dishes from the first try.

Sources: Japan Guide, DigJapan, Timeout, Tokyo Weekender, Live Japan, Central Tokyo, Real Estate Japan