Taitou ward, Tokyo東京都台東区

Living in Taitou Ward, Tokyo

We have Summarized the livability of Taitou Ward, Tokyo.

What kind of place is Taitou Ward, Tokyo?

Taito Ward: A city with a traditional downtown atmosphere and plenty of tourist spots

Taito Ward is located slightly east of the center of Tokyo’s 23 wards, and with an area of approximately 10.11 square kilometers, it is the smallest ward among the 23 wards.
It borders Arakawa Ward to the north, Sumida Ward to the east across the Sumida River, Chiyoda Ward and Chuo Ward to the south, and Bunkyo Ward to the west.
It has a population of approximately 207,000 and approximately 128,000 households. (As of January 2023)

In 1947, the administrative districts of Tokyo were reorganized, and Shitaya Ward and Asakusa Ward merged to form Taito Ward. The name Taito Ward was derived from the high ground of Ueno and Asakusa, which is located to the east of Ueno.
Since the Edo period, the Ueno area has been a temple town of Kan’ei-ji Temple, and the area around Sensoji Temple has been the most bustling shopping district in Japan.
Sensoji Temple, which is still the symbol of the ward, is said to have been built in 628 and is famous as the oldest temple in Tokyo.
Nakamise-dori Street, which is lined with around 90 souvenir shops along the 250m approach from Kaminarimon to Hozomon, is one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan and is a popular spot for foreign tourists as well, as it is a district brimming with Japanese atmosphere where traditional streetscapes still remain.

The main station in Taito Ward is Ueno Station, and the area is home to Ueno Zoo, the first zoo in Japan run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo National Museum, a national important cultural property, and the National Museum of Western Art, a World Heritage Site. The area is centered around Ueno Park, which is home to many buildings and restaurants, department stores, and more.
The nationally famous Ameyoko Shopping Street is also located in this area, and is a popular spot bustling with tourists every day.

The area around Tawaramachi Station on the Ginza Line still retains a strong downtown atmosphere, and the wholesale district just a short walk from the station is called “Kappabashi Kitchen Town,” and is one of the city’s leading shopping spots, lined with shops selling professional cooking utensils and restaurant decorations.

PR video of Taitou Ward, Tokyo

TAITO CITY FILMCOMMISSION LOCATION INTRODUCTION

How is the traffic situation in Taitou Ward?

Taito Ward is a city with a well-developed transportation network centered around Ueno Station.

There are 16 lines and 16 stations that pass through Taito Ward.

Ueno Station, the main station, is a big terminal with 11 lines including the Shinkansen, and is very convenient for traveling long distances and traveling within the city, so many people pass through it every day.
Buses that run through the ward are Toei Bus, Keisei Bus, and Tobu Bus.
There is also a community bus called “Megurin” that circulates around the main spots in Taito Ward at a low price.
In addition, JR Bus Kanto operates an express bus that runs between Ueno Station and Gotemba Premium Outlets.
There are also several night buses that can travel long distances, and you can go to the Kansai and Tohoku areas.
There are two highway entrances that can be accessed from the ward: Ueno IC and Iriya IC on the Shuto Expressway Route 1 Ueno Line.
Major roads include National Route 4, which runs from Tokyo through Saitama towards Utsunomiya, and National Route 6, which runs from Tokyo through Chiba towards Mito.

How are the rent and land prices in　Taitou Ward?

Taito Ward is a city with a mix of old streets and residential areas.

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 around 98,000 yen for a 1K and 159,000 yen for a 2DK.
The average price per tsubo for land is around 5 million yen per tsubo.
The average price of a newly built apartment is 53.11 million yen, the average area is 46.78 m2, and the average price per tsubo is 3.754 million yen per tsubo. (As of 2018-2022)

How is childcare and education in Taitou Ward?

Taito Ward: A city that actively works to support child-rearing

Taito City has 34 nurseries, 18 kindergartens, 19 elementary schools, 9 junior high schools, 8 high schools, 5 junior colleges and universities, and 8 vocational schools.
The Taito City 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 fully subsidizes all medical 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.

Taito ward also offers a wide range of unique support.
For the third and subsequent children, the ward offers a “lively family support plan” in which “gifts” are presented three times: on the occasion of “birth,” “elementary school entry,” and “junior high school entry.” The gifts include up to three sets of gifts to choose from, such as 10 1,000 yen gift certificates for children and two 5,000 yen book cards.
Another unusual support is the “free distribution of helmets for infants.” This is a very practical support measure, as it is something that is absolutely necessary when cycling to school or going out.

How about shopping in Taitou Ward?

Taito Ward is a great place for the common people, with everything from Ameyoko to department stores

The area around Ueno Station is a bustling downtown area with many shopping facilities.
“Atre Ueno” is a station building directly connected to Ueno Station, and is a complex building housing fashion, household goods, cafes and restaurants.
“Matsuzakaya Ueno Store” is a long-established department store that is bustling as a place to purchase high-end clothing and gifts for special occasions.
Located near Asakusa Station is “Asakusa ROX“. It is a complex consisting of four buildings, ROX, ROX2G, ROX・3G, and ROX DOME, and includes fashion, restaurants, grocery stores, and even a hot spring facility.
There are few large supermarkets in the ward, but there are many small urban supermarkets such as “My Basket” and “Maruetsu Petit”, so you will never have trouble doing your daily shopping.

How about jobs and recruitment in Taitou Ward?

Taito Ward: A manufacturing-centered city that nurtures traditional techniques

Taito Ward has been known as a town of craftsmen since the Edo period, and is famous for its leather products, traditional crafts, and festival dolls, and there are more than 20,000 businesses in the ward.
The areas around Ueno Station and Asakusa Station are home to many restaurants and retail stores, as well as areas lined with office buildings for major companies, so it can be said that there are a relatively large number of job openings in this area.

Taitou Ward’s unique subsidy/subsidy system

Taitou Ward’s Tokyo’s unique housing assistance and subsidy system

Taitou Ward, Tokyo’s unique childcare support system

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