Toshima ward, Tokyo東京都豊島区

Living in Toshima Ward, Tokyo

We have Summarized the livability of Toshima Ward, Tokyo.

What kind of place is Toshima Ward, Tokyo?

Sunshine Ikebukuro, Harry Potter and high-end residential areas in Toshima Ward – a diverse city

Toshima Ward is located in the northwest of Tokyo’s 23 wards and has an area of approximately 13.01 square kilometers.
It borders Itabashi Ward and Kita Ward to the north, Bunkyo Ward to the east, Shinjuku Ward to the south, and Nakano Ward and Nerima Ward to the west.
It is located on the eastern edge of the Musashino Plateau, with the Arakawa River to the north and the Tama River to the south, and has a relatively flat, strong and stable terrain.
It has a population of approximately 288,000 and approximately 181,000 households. (As of March 2023)

In the Edo period, Toshima Ward was a region where planting and horticulture flourished, with many gardeners lining the streets.
It is also said to be the birthplace of Somei-Yoshino, Japan’s representative cherry blossom variety.
As the railway network developed in the Meiji period, the population gradually began to increase, and in the Taisho period, the number of residential areas increased with the opening of the Tobu Railway.
After the Great Kanto Earthquake, the area developed greatly around Ikebukuro, which became a secondary city center, due to rapid economic growth, and the population continued to increase.
Then, in 1932, the four towns of Sugamo-cho, Nishi-Sugamo-cho, Nagasaki-cho, and Takada-cho were merged to form Toshima Ward.
The origin of the ward’s name dates back to ancient times, and it is said that the place name “Toshima” was used from the name of the county around 701. At the time of the merger, the four towns discussed the matter and decided to keep the historic name of this ward, which is the center of the county, since Kita-Toshima County was to be eliminated, and Toshima Ward was born.
Today, Toshima Ward is famous as one of the most bustling areas in Tokyo.
The center of the ward is the Ikebukuro area, and around Ikebukuro Station, a huge terminal, there are large commercial facilities, department stores, and electronics retailers. The area is also home to many skyscrapers, such as Sunshine City and Hareza Ikebukuro, which are symbols of the city.
Sugamo is home to the Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street, which is well known as “Grandma’s Harajuku,” and is a lively area with shops lined up along a stretch of about 800 meters.
Mejiro is one of the most luxurious residential areas in Tokyo, and is also famous as the Bunkyo area, with many private schools for early childhood education, and is home to the venerable educational institution Gakushuin University.
Toshima Ward also has many tourist attractions.
Sunshine Aquarium is an aquarium located in a corner of Sunshine City. It is a popular spot where you can meet many marine creatures such as penguins, seals, deep-sea fish and jellyfish, and is crowded every day. In addition, this facility is a complex with multiple shopping facilities and restaurants, such as the Sunshine 60 Observatory “Tenbo Park” where you can see the whole Toshima ward, the Konica Minolta Planetarium Manten where you can watch planetarium shows, and more, making it an area that you can enjoy all day.
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre is a large facility with a modern exterior where domestic and international concerts and university and other school facilities are held.
The Stamp Museum is located near JR Mejiro Station and is a rare museum that collects stamps from all over the world.
It also holds hands-on workshops, making it a fun spot for families.

PR video of Toshima Ward, Tokyo

90th Anniversary of Toshima Ward: Ikebukuro Urban Development Introduction Video

Toshima Ward x Animate “Ikebukuro PR Anime”

How is the traffic situation in Toshima Ward?

Toshima Ward has good access to the northern Kanto area and is also accessible by streetcar and subway.

There are 12 lines and 23 stations that pass through Toshima Ward.

For local buses, you can use the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei Bus), Seibu Bus, Kokusai Kogyo Bus, and Kanto Bus.
The station also operates the famous bright red “IKEBUS” bus. It is an environmentally friendly electric bus that connects Ikebukuro’s major facilities and parks at a low fare, and has become a new symbol of Ikebukuro.

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

National highways that pass through Toshima Ward include National Highway 254, which runs from Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, through Saitama and Gunma Prefectures to Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture; National Highway 17, which runs from Chuo Ward, Tokyo, through Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, to Chuo Ward, Niigata City; and National Highway 122, which runs from Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, through Tomo, Gunma Prefecture, and eastern Saitama Prefecture to Toshima Ward, Tokyo.
Toshima Ward is one of the areas in Tokyo with good transportation access.
Many lines run through the area, and Ikebukuro Station in particular is one of the largest terminal stations in Tokyo, with good access not only to Toshima Ward but also to the surrounding areas.
There are also many bus routes, so transportation access is good. In addition, the area is also suitable for bicycles, and bicycle lanes are also in place.
However, it is also an area with heavy traffic congestion, so care should be taken when using a car.
In addition, the tourist destinations around Ikebukuro and Higashi-Ikebukuro are very busy and crowded on a daily basis.

How are the rent and land prices in Toshima Ward?

From Sugamo to Mejiro, Toshima Ward is a city where you can live a diverse lifestyle

According to information from a real estate information site, the average rent in the ward is about 104,000 yen for a 1K apartment and 171,000 yen for a 2DK apartment within a 10-minute walk from the station.
The average land price is about 5.86 million yen per tsubo.
The average price of a new apartment is 74.69 million yen, the average area is 58.12 m2, and the average price per tsubo is 4.249 million yen per tsubo. (As of 2018-2022) Toshima Ward is located in a location with good access within Tokyo, and the housing situation is diverse.
There are many commercial facilities in the ward, mainly in Ikebukuro, but the average rent is slightly cheaper than in Shibuya and Shinjuku. For a typical 1K (one-room apartment), the average monthly rent in the central Ikebukuro area is around 100,000 yen.
There are also a variety of housing types in the ward, from tower apartments to detached houses. There are many apartments around Ikebukuro, and many detached houses can be seen in the northern and central areas. Many of the properties are old, so while the rent is low, you need to be careful about the condition of the building and the facilities.

How is childcare and education in Toshima Ward?

Toshima Ward is a city with many academic facilities and a good environment for raising children, with generous childcare support.

In Toshima City, there are 42 nursery schools, 19 kindergartens, 26 elementary schools, 17 junior high schools, 16 high schools, 15 junior colleges and universities, and 31 vocational schools.
The “Children’s 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 is fully subsidized.
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.

Toshima ward also has a wide range of unique support measures.
Toshima ward is implementing the “Toshima Kishimojin Project [Yurikago Toshima Project]” with the aim of providing seamless support from pregnancy to childbirth and child-rearing.
At the “Yurikago Interview” and “Congratulations Interview,” pregnant women and new mothers can consult with specialized staff about childbirth and child-rearing. After the interview, you will also receive gifts of Yurikago support goods and birthday gifts.
At the “Mom and Dad Class,” first-time parents can receive lectures on how to bathe babies and change diapers.
At the “Smile Class,” we regularly hold classes for people with children up to 1 year and 6 months old, where specialized instructors are invited to teach the information necessary for child-rearing. Participants will also receive a picture book as a gift.
In addition, there are a wide range of systems to support families with children.

Toshima ward has a wide range of facilities, including daycare centers and kindergartens.
As for daycare centers, the number of children on waiting lists is low, even in Tokyo, and the enrollment rate is high, so it is relatively easy to enroll. There are also many kindergartens, and the area is well-equipped.
There are also many public elementary and junior high schools, most of which are well-equipped. Elementary schools also focus on educational initiatives, such as holding exchange events with local residents and environmental studies.
There are many medical facilities that support the health of the ward’s residents, and general hospitals, pediatric clinics, and obstetrics and gynecology clinics are scattered throughout the area, so they can respond to sudden illnesses and injuries.
There are also many facilities that support those in child-rearing age. Child-rearing support centers offer consultations on child-rearing and hold classes that are useful for child-rearing, and there are also libraries and sports facilities.
The ward focuses on the health and education of its residents, and there are many child-rearing support facilities, making it an easy place to live for those in child-rearing age.

How about shopping in Toshima Ward?

Toshima Ward: A city where you can enjoy shopping from supermarkets to department stores

Toshima ward has many commercial facilities and an environment that is easy to shop in.
The Ikebukuro area is one of Tokyo’s most famous downtown areas, and there are many shopping centers around JR Ikebukuro Station. There are large shopping malls such as Ikebukuro Sunshine City, department stores directly connected to the station such as Seibu Ikebukuro Branch and Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro Branch, and electronics specialty store Bic Camera Ikebukuro Main Branch, which sell a wide variety of products.
Around the Mejiro Campus of the University of Tokyo in the Mejiro area, there are shopping streets in front of the station, large supermarkets, drugstores, and other stores, making it convenient for everyday shopping.
The busiest area in the Sugamo area is around JR Sugamo Station, with shopping streets, department stores, and supermarkets. The Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street in this area is famous as a shopping street lined with many old-fashioned shops, and is an area that is bustling with customers every day.
In addition, there are about 49 supermarkets scattered around the ward, mainly Life, Summit, and My Basket, so you will not have any trouble shopping for daily necessities.

How about jobs and recruitment in Toshima Ward?

Toshima Ward: A city where you can find a variety of jobs, from sales to education

The average annual salary in Toshima Ward is 4.65 million yen.
Toshima Ward is located in the center of Tokyo, so companies from various industries have expanded there, and it is one of the areas with a relatively large number of job openings. In particular, the Ikebukuro area is home to a large number of major department stores, restaurants, hotels, entertainment facilities, office buildings, and other facilities, and there are job openings in a wide variety of occupations.
In addition, there are many educational institutions such as universities, junior colleges, and vocational schools, so there are relatively many education-related jobs.
However, since the number of job openings in Tokyo is highly competitive, it is important for job seekers to prepare appropriate resumes and work experience documents and attend interviews when applying for a job. In addition, in some industries and occupations, you may be required to acquire qualifications or skills.

Toshima Ward, Tokyo’s unique subsidy/subsidy system

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

Toshima Ward, Tokyo’s unique childcare support system

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