Living in Koenji

Tokyo's representative 'cheap and hip' neighborhood, with vintage clothing shops, live houses and independent cafes filling the shopping streets. Though close to Shinjuku, you can save a great deal on rent, so working holiday makers, artists and low-budget single residents gather here. At the end of August every year, the whole neighborhood becomes a festival ground for the Awa Odori. However, there is no Korean commercial district, and the Rapid does not stop on weekends and holidays, so how it feels differs depending on your commuting pattern.

It is a distinctive neighborhood of Suginami Ward served by the JR Chuo and Sobu lines. A dense mix of vintage shops, live houses and individualistic bars makes it popular with young people and creatives, and rents are cheap for central Tokyo. Narrow alleys and a lively atmosphere may feel somewhat hectic for those who want calm. Shinjuku is close on the Chuo Line and living costs are reasonable, so it suits those who want both individuality and good value.