Tokyo Apartment Guide: Overview and Rent Prices in Ebisu Area
What Kind of Neighborhood is Ebisu?
Located in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, Ebisu is one of the most attractive neighborhoods in the city. It's known as an upscale residential area that offers convenient access to the city center while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere.
The area's name originates from the former Yebisu Beer Brewery that once stood here. Today, that site has been transformed into "Ebisu Garden Place," a complex featuring shopping, restaurants, offices, and cultural facilities. Ebisu perfectly blends sophisticated urban vibes with the warmth of traditional downtown areas. The station vicinity is lined with stylish cafes, unique eateries, and high-end boutiques, attracting a wide range of age groups from young adults to seniors. The "Ebisu Yokocho" is particularly famous as a drinking alley that retains an old-fashioned atmosphere.
A short distance from the station, you'll find quiet residential areas with lush parks and shrines. This harmonious environment is one reason why many foreign residents favor the area. Moreover, trendy neighborhoods like Daikanyama and Nakameguro are nearby, perfect for weekend strolls. Ebisu, with its international atmosphere coexisting with Japanese traditions, is an ideal choice for foreigners starting a new life in Japan.
While apartment rents tend to be high due to its location on the Yamanote Line, Ebisu is renowned for its livability, offering excellent access to various parts of Tokyo and convenient shopping options. This article will delve into Ebisu's characteristics, reasons for its livability, and what daily life is like in this area.
Transportation Convenience in Ebisu
Ebisu Station is served by four lines across two stations: JR Yamanote Line, Saikyo Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, making it extremely convenient for commuting to work or school. You can access most major stations in and around Tokyo without transfers.
Haneda Airport can be reached in about 40 minutes by transferring from the Yamanote Line to the Keikyu Main Line, while Narita Airport is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away via the Yamanote Line and Keisei Skyliner. With few transfers and short travel times to major stations and airports, Ebisu Station is ideally located for business trips and travel.
Livability in Ebisu, Tokyo
Ebisu Station ranks first among the most desirable stations to live near on the JR Yamanote Line, making it one of the most popular areas in Tokyo. This is not only due to its excellent transportation convenience but also its well-developed shopping and dining environments. Let's take a closer look at why Ebisu is so popular.
1. A Wide Range of Dining Options from Casual Izakayas to High-End Restaurants
The area around Ebisu Station offers a variety of dining options, from casual izakayas to stylish cafes and high-end restaurants. Living near Ebisu Station means you can enjoy a wide range of cuisines right in your neighborhood.
There are several shopping streets around Ebisu Station, but Ebisu Ginza, located just outside the west exit, retains a downtown atmosphere. Here you can find retro coffee shops and izakayas serving Yebisu Beer. The Ebisu Yokocho, about a 2-minute walk from the station, is a dining alley lined with numerous izakayas. It's particularly popular with after-work crowds in the evenings on weekdays, offering a place to unwind with drinks and food at relatively affordable prices.
Ebisu is also home to many Michelin-starred restaurants, including "Joël Robuchon," "Takumi Sushi Owada," and "Tempura Motoyoshi."
2. Well-Developed Shopping Environment Around the Station
Ebisu boasts a rich shopping environment with commercial facilities like "Atré Ebisu" and "Q Plaza EBISU," which house apparel shops and restaurants. The area around the station is also characterized by numerous supermarkets.
For instance, "Atré Ebisu" contains "The Garden Jiyugaoka" and "Seijo Ishii," which offer a wide range of imported products. These supermarkets are known for high-quality items at slightly higher price points, ideal for those seeking carefully selected products. On the other hand, "Peacock Store Ebisu Minami," a 24-hour supermarket about a 3-minute walk from Ebisu Station, offers daily necessities and groceries at more reasonable prices, making it convenient for everyday shopping.
Additionally, there are several drugstores around Ebisu Station, such as "Matsumoto Kiyoshi," "KoKuMiN," and "Tomods." These stores offer medicines, cosmetics, daily necessities, and pet supplies, making them as convenient as supermarkets when located near your home or nearest station.
3. Plenty of Weekend Destinations
Ebisu Garden Place, a landmark of Ebisu, is located about a 5-minute walk from Ebisu Station. Although it's a bit far from the station, you can access it comfortably even on rainy days via the moving walkway "Ebisu Sky Walk." Originally the site of a Sapporo Beer factory, this vast area now houses various facilities including an art museum, cinema, Yebisu Beer Museum, and an observation deck in a high-rise tower. During the Christmas season, it's famous for its illuminations, attracting crowds from within and outside the prefecture. Usually, it's relatively calm and popular among both children and adults.
Ebisu Garden Place also has a supermarket called "Central Square," where you can purchase fresh food, homemade bread, and freshly prepared side dishes. It's particularly recommended for its wide selection of organic foods, offering new discoveries with each visit.
4. Parks Within Walking Distance for All Ages
Despite being in the heart of the city, Ebisu is attractive for its many parks. Ebisu Park, about a 1-minute walk from Ebisu Station, is popular among children for its swings, spiral slide, and train-shaped playground equipment. Another point of interest in Ebisu Park is its public toilet, designed by an interior designer to look like an art object, adding a sophisticated touch to the area.
Near Ebisu Garden Place, Ebisu Minami Ichi Park features the Ebisu Doronko Yama Play Park. This play park looks like an empty lot but is a place where children can freely play with sand and dig holes. It's a space where children can explore their favorite play activities freely. The park also has a cafe, making it ideal for those who want to spend a relaxing weekend or enjoy a walk with their dogs.
5. Quiet Residential Areas a Short Distance from the Station
While the area around Ebisu Station is bustling with commercial facilities and restaurants, giving an impression of a busy downtown, there are quiet residential areas a short distance away, making it suitable for living. For example, Shibuya-ku Higashi, located towards the west exit of Ebisu Station, has the most serene townscape in the Ebisu Station area. This area is restricted to primarily residential construction rather than commercial facilities, making it ideal for those seeking a quiet lifestyle.
On the other hand, areas like Shibuya-ku Ebisu and Ebisu Minami near Ebisu Station transform from bustling areas near the station to calm neighborhoods as you move away from the center. These areas are recommended for those seeking both convenience and a relaxed atmosphere.
Average Apartment Rent in Ebisu, Tokyo
The table below shows the average apartment rents in Ebisu, Tokyo, and the neighboring stations of Shibuya and Meguro on the JR Yamanote Line. There isn't a significant difference in apartment rents compared to nearby areas. However, as you can see from the table, there's a wide range of rents even for apartments with the same layout.
Note that these are average prices, and actual apartment rents may vary depending on various factors such as distance from the station and the age of the building.
Ebisu: A Livable Neighborhood for Working Professionals and Families
Ebisu offers excellent access to various parts of Tokyo, along with well-developed shopping and child-rearing environments near the station. This makes it particularly recommended for those working in Tokyo. With numerous supermarkets and drugstores around the station, daily life is comfortable, and weekends offer diverse leisure options.
While the area around the station is bustling with commercial facilities and restaurants, it transforms into a quiet residential area a short distance away. Why not start a new life in this neighborhood that can accommodate various lifestyles, from business to private? Ebisu is sure to enrich your Tokyo life, making it enjoyable and fulfilling.
Sep 17, 2024