Itabashi Ward, Tokyo東京都板橋区

Living in Itabashi Ward, Tokyo

We have Summarized the livability of Itabashi Ward, Tokyo.

What kind of place is Itabashi Ward, Tokyo?

Itabashi Ward is close to Saitama Prefecture and is an easy and pleasant place to live.

Itabashi Ward is located in the northwest of Tokyo’s 23 wards and has an area of approximately 32.22 square kilometers.
It borders Toda City, Saitama Prefecture to the north, Kita Ward to the east, Toshima Ward to the south, and Nerima Ward to the west.
Its topography stretches from southeast to northwest, with the north being a lowland and the south a plateau.
It has a population of approximately 567,000 and approximately 320,000 households. (As of March 2023)

The history of Itabashi Ward dates back to the Edo period, when it prospered as the first post station on the Nakasendo, one of the five highways established by the Edo Shogunate.
After the Meiji period, the area gradually became more commercial and residential, and the population increased as the railway network developed.
In 1932, the Itabashi region was incorporated and Itabashi Ward was born.
There are various theories about the origin of the name, but the most likely is that it comes from the “Itabashi Bridge” that crosses the Shakujii River within the ward.
The center of the ward is around JR Itabashi Station, and it is a bustling downtown area lined with shopping streets, residential areas, and apartment buildings.
The area is also home to Takashimadaira Danchi, the largest high-rise housing complex in Tokyo, and it also serves as a commuter town in the city center.
The area is also home to many traditional shopping streets, with over 100 of each size.
“Happy Road Oyama Shopping Street” is one of the three major shopping streets in Tokyo, and is a popular spot that is crowded with customers every day.
There are also many tourist attractions in the ward.
The Itabashi Ward Tropical Environment Botanical Garden is located a 7-minute walk from Takashimadaira Station on the Toei Mita Line. The building recreates the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia, and is a botanical garden where you can encounter plants that you don’t usually see, such as plants and flowers. In addition to plants, there is also an aquarium zone, special exhibitions, and events, making it a recommended spot for families to enjoy.
Ukima Park is a park located in front of JR Ukimafunado Station, and is a park with lush scenery around the symbolic windmill and Ukimaike Pond, which takes up 40% of the park’s area. It is also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot, and is crowded with many cherry blossom viewers during the cherry blossom viewing season.
Itabashi Children’s Zoo is a zoo with free admission that was renovated and reopened in 2020.
Located in Higashi Itabashi Park, you can enjoy pony riding, focusing on small animals. Various events are also held throughout the year.
The Itabashi Fireworks Festival is a representative event of Itabashi Ward, held every August on the banks of the Arakawa River.
Approximately 11,000 fireworks are launched, and the stunning beauty of the “Niagara” that stretches for about 500 meters attracts many tourists every year.
In addition, it is held on the same day as the “Todabashi Fireworks Festival” held in neighboring Toda City, Saitama Prefecture, so you can enjoy two fireworks festivals at once.

PR video of Itabashi Ward, Tokyo

Itabashi Ward Promotional Video

Itabashi City Central Library Promotional Video

Spring in Itabashi

Summer in Itabashi

Autumn in Itabashi

Winter in Itabashi

How is the traffic situation in Itabashi Ward?

Itabashi Ward is a city with easy access to Saitama and Gunma prefectures in the city center.

There are five lines and 20 stations that pass through Itabashi Ward.

The bus routes that run through Itabashi ward are Kokusai Kogyo Bus, Toei Bus, Kanto Bus, Seibu Bus, and Tobu Bus West.
There is also a community bus called “Rinrin GO” that offers low-cost access to major facilities in the ward.

There are two expressways accessible from the ward, with five entrances and exits.

Roads that pass through Itabashi Ward include National Route 17, which runs from Chuo Ward, Tokyo through Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture to Chuo Ward, Niigata City, and National Route 254, which runs from Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo through Saitama and Gunma Prefectures to Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture.

Itabashi Ward is located in the northern part of Tokyo and has relatively good transport access.
There are many bus routes that run through the ward, and Toei Bus and Seibu Bus also operate buses that connect the ward to other areas.

How are the rent and land prices in Itabashi Ward?

Itabashi Ward is a quiet residential area that is perfect for students and new graduates.

According to information from a real estate information website, the average rent in the ward for a newly built apartment within a 10-minute walk from the station is about 86,000 yen for a 1K and 120,000 yen for a 2DK.
The average land price is about 1.85 million yen per tsubo.
The average price of a newly built apartment is 48.31 million yen, the average area is 53.67 m2, and the average price per tsubo is 2.976 million yen per tsubo. (As of 2018-2022)
In Itabashi Ward, rent and prices vary greatly depending on the location of the property and the age of the building.
Because it is relatively close to the city center, rent and prices are higher, but there tend to be many properties that are relatively reasonable compared to other areas in Tokyo.
Itabashi Ward is close to the city center, has excellent transportation access, and has a wide range of facilities necessary for daily life, making it one of the most livable areas.

How is childcare and education in Itabashi Ward?

Itabashi Ward: A city with generous child-rearing support

Itabashi ward has 99 nurseries, 35 kindergartens, 52 elementary schools, 28 junior high schools, 13 high schools, 10 junior colleges and universities, and 13 vocational schools.
The “Child Medical Expense Subsidy” covers children up to 18 years old (as of March 31 after they reach 18 years old) for both outpatient and inpatient care, and fully subsidizes all expenses.
Child allowances are provided: 15,000 yen for children under 3 years old, 10,000 yen for the first and second children aged 3 years old or older and not yet entering elementary school, 15,000 yen for the third child and onwards, and 10,000 yen for junior high school students.

Itabashi ward also has its own unique child-rearing support.
The “Itabashi Neuvola Project” provides various support by developing seamless projects from pregnancy to child-rearing.
One of these is the “Pregnant Women and Childbirth Navigation Project.” Pregnant women can meet with specialized staff such as public health nurses, providing a place where they can discuss their concerns from pregnancy to child-rearing.
Mothers’ and parents’ classes are also held, allowing them to prepare in advance for the birth of their baby.
After the birth, there is a “Postpartum Care Project (Visiting and Overnight)” where midwives can give advice on child-rearing.
The “Sukusuku Card Project” presents vouchers for use from child-rearing support services designated by the ward to families with children up to 3 years old. The services vary, but the vouchers can be used as vouchers for child-rearing helpers and for museums in the ward, making it a great deal.
The “Ikiki Terakoya Plan Project” is a project that uses school facilities on Saturdays and other days to plan various events and classes. They can take part in craft classes, English conversation classes, festivals, etc. with their children, and it is also a place to interact with local people and make friends with families with children.
The “Ai Kids” after-school support program uses 51 elementary schools in the ward to provide a place for children to play freely and experience exchanges. It is a place where children can interact with each other and support them in spending fulfilling after-school time.

Itabashi ward has many parks and sports facilities where children can spend their time in a healthy manner.
In addition, child-rearing support facilities in the ward provide parenting consultations, parenting classes, childcare services, and other information and support necessary for raising children.
The ward has many public elementary and junior high schools, as well as private schools. Some elementary schools focus on multicultural education and ICT education, so children can receive a fulfilling education.
The area is also relatively safe, and with consideration given to traffic conditions, sidewalks and bicycle paths have been developed, making it a well-equipped area where children can commute to school safely.

How about shopping in Itabashi Ward?

Itabashi Ward is a city with many supermarkets and other shops that are essential to daily life.

There are about 94 supermarkets in Itabashi Ward, mainly including Commodi Iida, Maruetsu, and Seiyu.
Itabashi Ward is one of the relatively easy-to-live-in areas of Tokyo, and has a wide range of commercial facilities.
In the center of the ward is Itabashi Station on the Tobu Tojo Line, and many commercial facilities are concentrated around the station. There are also many retail stores and restaurants, which sell a wide range of products including daily necessities.
In addition, Itabashi Ward has many shopping streets. There are many shopping streets loved by locals, such as Happy Road Oyama Shopping Street and Itabashijuku Fudo Street Shopping Street, so you can find groceries, clothing, miscellaneous goods, and more, all at reasonable prices.

How about jobs and recruitment in Itabashi Ward?

Itabashi Ward: a city where manufacturing industries, especially the printing industry, are concentrated

The average annual salary in Itabashi Ward is 3.77 million yen.
There are many factories in Itabashi Ward, and the northern part is an industrial area with many printing companies.
In addition, many companies of all sizes have established operations in the ward, so there are many job openings for general office work, sales positions, finance and accounting positions, etc.
There are also many large commercial facilities and shopping streets, so you can expect to find jobs as sales clerks, customer service staff, hairdressers, etc.

Itabashi Ward, Tokyo’s unique subsidy/subsidy system

Itabashi Ward, Tokyo’s unique housing assistance and subsidy system

Itabashi Ward, Tokyo’s unique childcare support system

Itabashi Ward, Tokyo’s unique system for further education and tuition assistance/subsidies