Living in Saiin

A working-class living area in Ukyo Ward, where alleys with surviving old nagaya row houses sit alongside large supermarkets and shopping malls. It is 6 minutes to Shijo-Kawaramachi by Hankyu and cheaper than the city center, so demand from students and young professionals living alone is steady. However, there are no direct trains to Kyoto Station, so you need to transfer or take the bus, and buses can take much longer when caught in traffic.

This is a student and working-class neighborhood in Ukyo Ward, where the Hankyu Kyoto Line meets the Randen tram. Rents are low, the shopping streets are lively, and Hankyu gives good access to Kawaramachi and Osaka, so demand for living alone is high. Main roads carry heavy traffic and are somewhat hectic, which is worth keeping in mind. It suits students and young professionals who want low living costs along with access to the city center.