Living in Komae, Tokyo: Guide for Foreigners

In the scenic area west of Tokyo, you can find Komae city. Sandwiched between the Tama River and the smaller Nogawa River, Komae is a large residential area that over 80,000 Tokyoites call home. It's a pleasant corner of Tokyo, still connected to the busy parts of the central city, yet Komae holds onto its cultural roots. 

Introduction to Komae

Sunset at Tamagawa River by Naoya Fujii is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

Komae is very welcoming to foreign residents. There are volunteer groups that offer free interpreting and translating for issues at the city hall, aiming to help newcomers navigate the complicated bureaucracy. They even run an international magazine, 'Komae Good Living Guide,' that has articles all about the city's facilities and public service announcements. It's published in English, Korean, and Chinese.

The area has historically been open to foreigners and may even get its name from Korean immigrants who came here in the fifth century. 

Nogawa River marks the borders with neighboring Setagaya City, another residential area, with several shopping malls, a cinema complex, and parks, making it great for days out. If you want to use public transport you can easily get to the more famous parts of Tokyo. Shinjuku is less than an hour away. 

Komae is big on neighborhood spirit and has lots of local events to join if you want to become part of the local community. There are dance festivals, a summer raft-race down Tama River, and a city market in the autumn. 

Things to do in Komae

Komae, Tokyo by Hakuro Matsuda is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

The city has a range of beautiful and famous shrines that attract tourists every year. They don't ever get as busy as the temples of Kyoto, but they add a traditional charm to the area that is uniquely Japanese. 

Senryu-ji Temple is dedicated to the safety of children. The temple dates back to the 8th century and is known for its two-story bell tower. 

Even older is Gyokusen-ji Temple, an ancient place of prayer that is one with nature. The gardens, where you can find impressive stone monuments and traditionally constructed wooden buildings, are great for exploring.

There are also the historical sites of Muikara Minka-en, an accurate Edo period wooden farmhouse, as well as Kabutozuka Kofun and Dagurazuka Kofun, two ancient burial mounds. The burial mounds are thought to be connected to the first Korean settlers in the fifth century. 

Komae also has several lovely parks. Nishigawara Park, which sits along the Tama River is particularly beautiful. Nishigawara Park is an open public space that is the place to be when the cherry trees start blooming. 

Life as a Foreigner in Komae

Komae, Tokyo by Shugo Nozaki is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

The city has a good range of schools for those looking to settle down. There are six public elementary schools, four public middle schools, and one public high school. But the city is well connected and thus has many schools within commuting distance. 

Property prices in Komae will vary depending on the area, with apartments in Iwado Minami rented at around ¥130,000 per month, yet you can find places for half that price in Nakaisumi. 

To buy a property, you may be looking at over ¥50,000,000. 

Conclusion

All in all, Komae is a scenic area of Tokyo that’s easy to live in. It has good transport links, a friendly community, and a rich history. 

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Source: City of Komae, Gyoku Shoguden, Japan Travel, Life in Tokyo, Real Estate Japan, ReThinkTokyo

About the author:

Alfie Blincowe is a writer from England who fell in love with Southern Japan. 
You can read more of his articles about the country here: https://alfieblincowe.wordpress.com/