Arakawa Ward, iStock

Arakawa Ward Guide

Arakawa Ward is where you'll find many neighborhoods that still maintain the traditional city feel of Tokyo from the postwar era, providing residents with a calmer side of Tokyo that seem to move a bit slower than the busy downtown districts.

Located in the northeast region of Tokyo, Arakawa Ward is sandwiched between Adachi to the north and Taito to the south. Arakawa Ward gets its name from the Arakawa River, but the river neither runs through nor borders the ward. Within the ward limits is a mix of old-fashioned downtown areas and residential neighborhoods. The hub station of Nippori is located in Arakawa, and is serviced by the Keisei Skyliner which allows for easy transportation to Narita Airport (approximately 58 minutes away).

Contents

Arakawa quick facts

  • Population: 215,966 (as of January 1, 2019)
  • Area: 10.16 km²
  • Density: 21,256 (/km²)
  • Population of foreign residents: 19,131 (8.9% of total population of Arakawa)
  • About 4.1% of the total resident foreigner population of the Tokyo 23 Wards lives in Arakawa.

Major Train Stations

Station Train Lines
Nippori  JR Yamanote Line
 JR Keihin-Tohoku Line
 JR Joban Line
 Keisei Main Line
 Toei Nippori-Toneri Liner
Nishi-Nippori  JR Yamanote Line
 JR Keihin-Tohoku Line
 Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
 Toei Nippori-Toneri Liner
Machiya  Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
 Keisei Main Line
 Toei Toden Arakawa Line

Main residential neighborhoods

Arakawa ranks high for

  • Quiet, residential neighborhoods within commuting distance to the business districts of Tokyo.
  • Charming traditional Tokyo storefronts and cafes adorn the Yanesen area.
  • Riverfront paths along the Sumida River offer relaxing places for walking and running.
  • Nippori Station is connected directly to Narita Airport.

Who lives in Arakawa Ward?

  • Those looking for quick access to the Yamanote Line via Nippori or Nishi-Nippori.
  • Old Koreatown provides a community for many Korean residents.

Popular housing searches in Arakawa Ward

Location and highlights

Arakawa Ward is outlined by the Sumida River, which provides a peaceful riverfront path for afternoon walks. The paths near the river are also quite popular with joggers and runners. In addition, Arakawa has plenty of parks that are great open spaces to let kids run around, including Ogunohara Park, Arakawa Natural Park, Arakawa Park, and Shiori Park.

Arakawa Ward is home to one of the oldest Koreatowns in Tokyo, near Mikawashima Station. Unlike the pop-culture packed streets of Shinokubo, the Arakawa Koreatown is much more reserved and tame. You’ll be able to find Korean markets and restaurants lining the streets of the Koreatown in Arakawa.

South Arakawa (Yanaka and Nippori)

The very tip top of the Yanesen area extends into Arakawa. Yanesen is a Japanese anagram for Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi. These three neighborhoods are collectively referred to as Yanesen, and are famous for preserving traditional Tokyo. The Yanaka area can be found just around Nippori, and is home to a variety of older post-war style Japanese cafes and restaurants. It’s a great section of Tokyo to explore on a lazy Sunday when you can some time to enjoy the charms of a bygone era.

Central Arakawa (Machiya)

West of Machiya Station you’ll find some shopping malls (Sunpop Machiya, Akafudado Machiya) which add a nice touch of convenience to this corner of Tokyo. Oddly enough, Machiya Station only exits to the east, so you’ll have to walk around it to get to these shopping centers.

To the east of Machiya Station is primarily residential neighborhoods. Arakawa Natural Park also is a short walk to the east of the station.

East Arakawa (Minami-Senju)

There are a few shopping centers (Lala Terrace Minamisenju, Bibi Minamisenju) near Minami-Senju Station, boosting the livability of the surrounding neighborhoods. To the north is Kita Senju just one train stop away (technically in Adachi Ward), which also boasts a surprising amount of restaurants and shops.

Minami Senju Station is connected to the Joban Line and Hibiya Line. This makes it possible to travel directly to Tokyo (15 minutes on the Joban Line) or Roppongi (32 minutes on the Hibiya Line).

Apartments for Rent in Arakawa Ward

Properties for Sale in Arakawa Ward

Lead photo: iStockphoto

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