Tokyo Apartment Guide: Overview and Rent Prices in Sangenjaya Area
What Kind of Neighborhood is Sangenjaya?
Sangenjaya is located in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, and offers excellent access to the city center. Despite being just a 5-minute train ride from Shibuya, it maintains a calm atmosphere. The area around the station is lined with shopping streets, cafes, and restaurants, blending traditional shitamachi (downtown) areas with trendy, modern cafes and shops. The "Chazawa Street" in particular is known for its unique eateries, offering plenty of dining options.
The name "Sangenjaya" originates from the mid-Edo period when three teahouses were established here, serving as rest stops for travelers. Today, the area attracts a wide range of people, from young adults to families. In Japan, it's often associated with celebrities and is considered a stylish neighborhood.
Sangenjaya is also known for its vibrant local events and markets, fostering a strong community spirit. This environment makes it an attractive and livable area for foreigners who want to experience local culture. At the same time, quiet residential areas can be found a short distance from the station, suitable for those seeking a peaceful living environment. Sangenjaya is an ideal choice for those who want both urban convenience and a relaxed atmosphere.
This article will introduce the hidden charms and reasons for Sangenjaya's popularity.
Transportation convenience in Sangenjaya
Sangenjaya Station is served by the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line and Tokyu Setagaya Line. Its proximity to Shibuya Station, just two stops away or a 4-minute ride on an express train, is a major attraction. The Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line also provides direct access to popular areas like Futako-Tamagawa and Tama-Plaza. Moreover, it offers through services with the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, allowing direct travel to stations like Omotesando, Aoyama-itchome, Jimbocho, Otemachi, Kinshicho, and Oshiage without transfers.
Access from Sangenjaya Station to major stations in and around Tokyo is shown in the table below. Most key stations can be reached within 20-30 minutes, making it convenient for commuting to work or school.
However, trains can get crowded during rush hours. For those who want to avoid packed trains, buses are a convenient alternative. Sangenjaya is served by Tokyu Bus and Odakyu Bus lines, with buses reaching Shibuya Station in about 10-15 minutes.
Livability in Sangenjaya
Sangenjaya is popular as a stylish neighborhood dotted with cafes, bakeries, and coffee shops, while still retaining its traditional downtown charm. With many universities nearby, it's bustling with a diverse crowd from students to adults. Let's explore the reasons why Sangenjaya is considered a great place to live.
1. Abundance of nature, including Setagaya Park and Taishido Hachiman Shrine
One of Sangenjaya's attractions is Setagaya Park, the largest park in Setagaya Ward, located about an 18-minute walk from Sangenjaya Station. It features not only playgrounds for children but also a fountain plaza, pool, skateboard area, and a traffic park. The traffic park includes a mini-cart course for young children, where they can learn traffic rules and road signs while playing. Next to the course is a display of a steam locomotive (D51), which is popular among children.
Sangenjaya is also home to Taishido Hachiman Shrine, which dates back to around 1592-1596. The shrine is famous for its goshuin (shrine stamps), offering original designs for each seasonal event. It's known for its wide variety of goshuin designs. The shrine grounds are also home to three rabbits, earning it the nickname "Rabbit Shrine" among local children.
Both Setagaya Park and Taishido Hachiman Shrine are nature-rich spots perfect for spending a relaxing day off.
2. Well-equipped shopping environment with commercial facilities and supermarkets
The area around Sangenjaya is well-equipped with commercial facilities, supermarkets, and drugstores, making it easy to shop for groceries and daily necessities. This convenience is one of the reasons why it's considered a great place to live.
The 26-story high-rise building "Carrot Tower," a landmark of Sangenjaya, houses popular stores like Uniqlo, Kaldi, and TSUTAYA, making it an integral part of residents' lives. On the second floor of Carrot Tower, you'll find the Setagaya International Exchange Center, which provides support for foreign residents and offers Japanese language courses.
Supermarkets in Sangenjaya include "Tokyu Store," "My Basket," "Seiyu," "Hanamasa Meat," and "AEON Food Style." For those who need to shop early in the morning or late at night, 24-hour stores like "Seiyu" and "AEON Food Style" are recommended. On the other hand, "Hanamasa Meat" is great for those looking to buy large quantities of fresh food at low prices.
3. Numerous shopping streets convenient for dining and shopping
Sangenjaya has multiple shopping streets radiating out from the station. Among them, "Sangenjaya Ginza Shopping Street" along Chazawa Street, one of the main streets in Sangenjaya, is the busiest. Chazawa Street, as its name suggests, connects Sangenjaya and Shimokitazawa, deriving its name from "San" of Sangenjaya and "Zawa" of Shimokitazawa.
Chazawa Street, connecting two stylish areas, is lined with various trendy shops, from chain stores to individual boutiques, making it enjoyable just to stroll around. When living in Sangenjaya, it's a great place to visit for breakfast or lunch on weekends.
4. The Triangle Area popular among alcohol enthusiasts
For enjoying Sangenjaya at night, the Triangle Area is recommended. This area, surrounded by National Route 246 and Setagaya Street in front of Sangenjaya Station, is filled with affordable and easily accessible izakayas (Japanese pubs) and stylish bars in narrow alleys. With a variety of establishments serving yakitori, beef tongue, Chinese cuisine, shabu-shabu, and more, you're sure to find a favorite spot. The retro atmosphere, as if time has stopped, has made it increasingly popular as a "slightly deep" area. Thus, the area around Sangenjaya Station offers different ways to enjoy both day and night.
5. Abundance of universities nearby
Sangenjaya is also known for its proximity to many universities, including Temple University, Showa Women's University, and Nihon University. Setagaya Ward, where Sangenjaya is located, is home to other famous universities like Komazawa University, Seijo University, and Tama Art University, making Sangenjaya popular among students as well.
If you're planning to study at a university in Setagaya Ward, it's worth considering Sangenjaya as a potential place to live and looking for properties in the area. The area around Sangenjaya Station has plenty of rental apartments suitable for single living.
6. Quiet residential areas a short distance from the station
While the area around Sangenjaya Station is bustling with many shops, and large apartments line Tamagawa Street and Setagaya Street, moving a bit away from the main streets leads you to quiet residential areas. In stark contrast to the station front, these areas have less foot traffic and are characterized by a calm atmosphere with many detached houses and low-rise apartments.
However, if you're concerned about walking through quiet streets at night when returning home, choosing a location near Setagaya Street allows you to walk home on brighter, more populated streets with shops and people.
Average rent prices for apartments in Sangenjaya
Sangenjaya is highly popular due to its excellent access to Shibuya (just two train stops away) and its high convenience, which is reflected in relatively high average rent prices for apartments. The table below shows the average rent prices for apartments in Sangenjaya and neighboring stations.
Please note that these are average prices, and actual rent can vary depending on various factors such as layout, age of the building, and other conditions. If you're interested in living in Sangenjaya, it's recommended to research actual rental listings and compare rent prices and facilities.
Sangenjaya: A perfect balance of urban life, residential areas, and nature
Sangenjaya is one of the ideal places to start a new life in Tokyo. In this neighborhood, you can experience both traditional and modern Japan while enjoying a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle. For those seeking good access to central Tokyo while avoiding the hustle and bustle of the city center, Sangenjaya is an ideal choice. The warmth of the local community, seasonal events, and daily discoveries will enrich your Tokyo life.
Why not start your Tokyo story in Sangenjaya? This neighborhood could become your new "home," bringing you invaluable memories and experiences.
Sep 16, 2024