Arakawa ward, Tokyo東京都荒川区

Living in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo

We have Summarized the livability of Arakawa Ward, Tokyo.

What kind of place is Arakawa Ward, Tokyo?

Arakawa Ward is a city where new apartment buildings are being built and is becoming increasingly popular among families.

Arakawa Ward is located in the northeastern part of Tokyo’s 23 wards, with an area of approximately 10.16 square kilometers.
It borders Adachi Ward to the north, Sumida Ward to the east, Taito Ward to the south, and Bunkyo Ward and Kita Ward to the west.
It has a population of approximately 216,000 and approximately 119,000 households. (As of March 2023)

The terrain is elongated from east to west, with mostly low-lying, flat areas.
During the Edo period, it was a peaceful area with rural areas. In the Meiji period, many factories began to be built along the Arakawa River, and industrialization progressed.
In 1932, the towns of Minamisenju, Mikawashima, Oku, and Nippori in Kitatoshima County merged to form Arakawa Ward. The Sumida River that runs through the ward was called the Arakawa River at the time, and is the origin of the ward’s name.
Today, Arakawa Ward has become a popular destination for families, with former factory sites being developed into large apartment complexes and parks, mainly in Kitasenju and Minamisenju, and it has become an attractive town where new and old cultures are mixed while retaining the scenery full of downtown atmosphere.
There are also many tourist attractions.
Arakawa Amusement Park, which opened in 1922, is the only public amusement park in Tokyo’s 23 wards. It is famous as a popular amusement park for families, with attractions, play equipment, and pools for small children, and admission fees are set relatively low.
Nippori Textile Town is a textile town with a row of fabric and textile stores stretching for 1km, a 3-minute walk from JR Nippori Station. It is a spot that attracts many visitors from outside the ward, as it has everything you need for handicrafts, including textile-related fabrics and accessories.
The ward is also famous for having many historic temples and shrines, such as Entsu-ji Temple and Joko-ji Temple.

PR video of Arakawa Ward, Tokyo

Arakawa Promotion for 2022

Arakawa-ku Minamisenju Walking Map: History and Culture Course Part 1

Arakawa-ku Minamisenju Walking Map: History and Culture Course Part 2

How is the traffic situation in Arakawa Ward?

Arakawa Ward is a city with easy access to anywhere in the city center via the Yamanote Line.

There are 9 train lines and 24 stations that pass through Arakawa Ward.

Local buses are operated by Toei Bus and Keisei Bus.
You can also use the “Arakawa Community Bus” which provides low-cost access to major facilities.

There are no expressway entrances or exits within the ward.
National Route 4 runs through the ward, passing from Chuo Ward in Tokyo through Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, and Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, before ending in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture.

How are the rent and land prices in Arakawa Ward?

Arakawa Ward: Relatively low prices within the 23 wards, and a newly built detached house is no longer a dream

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 84,000 yen for a 1K and 145,000 yen for a 2DK.
The average land price is about 2.36 million yen per tsubo.
The average price of a newly built apartment is 53.24 million yen, the average area is 55.73 m2, and the average price per tsubo is 3.159 million yen per tsubo. (As of 2018-2022)
In recent years, Arakawa Ward has seen an increase in high-rise apartments and newly built detached houses, so you can choose from a variety of housing options.
Land prices in the ward are relatively stable and slightly lower than in the city center. However, the price range along the train line can be high, so some properties can be expensive depending on the location.

How is childcare and education in Arakawa Ward?

Arakawa Ward: A city with generous childcare support and attracting families

Arakawa ward has 31 nursery schools, 13 kindergartens, 24 elementary schools, 12 junior high schools, 5 high schools, 1 university, and 8 vocational schools.
Child medical expenses subsidies are available for both outpatient and inpatient care for children up to 18 years old (as of March 31st after they reach 18 years old), and cover the full cost of care.
Child allowances are provided: 15,000 yen for children under 3 years old, 10,000 yen for the first and second child aged 3 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.

Arakawa Ward also offers a wide range of support services unique to the ward.
For families who are becoming parents for the first time, “Hello Baby Classes” and “New Dad Classes” provide lectures on childcare methods for welcoming a new baby.
In addition, “Arakawa Kids Mothers Call 24” is a service where you can talk to dedicated staff about any worries or concerns you may have during pregnancy or childcare, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Arakawa ward has many parks and libraries, and various facilities to support child-rearing.
In addition, there are many nurseries and kindergartens, and the necessary facilities for child-rearing are in place, making it an area with a good environment for raising children.
Each school in Arakawa ward has its own unique characteristics.
For example, there are elementary schools that focus on music and art, and schools that focus on sports. There are junior high schools that focus on English education, and schools that focus on science and mathematics education.
In addition, all high schools are characterized by a high rate of students going on to higher education. Many students go on to university or vocational school, making it an area with a favorable educational environment.

How about shopping in Arakawa Ward?

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

　Arakawa ward has many stores where you can easily purchase daily necessities and fresh foods, such as supermarkets and convenience stores. There are about 38 supermarkets, mainly My Basket and Maruetsu.
The area around Minamisenju Station has been undergoing large-scale redevelopment since the 1980s, and many residential areas and large apartment buildings have been built, while shopping facilities have also been opening one after another. Representative facilities include Bivi Minamisenju and LaLa Terrace Minamisenju, which are home to large supermarkets, specialty stores, restaurants, and more, making it a convenient area for daily shopping.
In addition, Ecute Nippori, a shopping facility inside Nippori Station, is popular as a shopping facility that can be enjoyed without leaving the ticket gates, with many stores mainly selling sweets and prepared foods.

How about jobs and recruitment in Arakawa Ward?

Arakawa Ward: A city with a wide range of businesses

The average annual salary in Arakawa Ward is 3.87 million yen.
Arakawa Ward has been an industrialized area since the Meiji and Taisho eras, with printing, metal processing, leather, and clothing being the main industries, so you can expect to find jobs.
Other industries in the area include healthcare and welfare, education, manufacturing, services, retail, and construction, and there is a stable number of job openings.
In addition, there are many healthcare and welfare facilities, and there tends to be a lot of job openings for nurses, caregivers, medical office staff, etc.

Arakawa Ward, Tokyo’s unique subsidy/subsidy system

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

Arakawa Ward, Tokyo’s unique childcare support system

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