Jiyugaoka Area Guide

The sophisticated and cafe-laden neighborhood of Jiyugaoka in Meguro Ward remains one of Tokyo's most popular residential areas. Its proximity to a variety of city hubs (Shibuya, Shinagawa, Yokohama) is a plus for those who need to commute to downtown areas, but Jiyugaoka's European-inspired, pedestrian-friendly streets and stylish boutiques are what makes it unique as a residential neighborhood in Tokyo.

Contents

Location

Jiyugaoka is a trendy, sophisticated neighborhood in Meguro Ward, where you can find more stylish bakeries and sweets shops than you could ever imagine. Located near the southern end of Meguro Ward, closer to Setagaya Ward, Jiyugaoka occupies space that makes it very accessible to downtown Tokyo. Connected to public transportation via the Tokyu Toyoko and Tokyu Oimachi Lines, it’s possible to get to Shibuya, Yokohama, and Futako-Tamagawa directly from this station. The calm residential streets are very popular with those seeking a quieter yet stylish side of Tokyo.

Key Stats

Average Rent in Jiyugaoka

Apartment Type Average Rent ($1 = ¥110)
1R 1K ¥101,300/month ($920)
1LDK 2K 2DK ¥159,500/month ($1,450)
2LDK 3K 3DK ¥196,000/month ($1,780)

Apartments For Rent in Jiyugaoka

Train Lines

JR/Subway/Other Line
Tokyu  Oimachi
Tokyu  Toyoko

Accessibility

Transportation to…  Line Time
Shinjuku Toyoko (Shibuya), transfer to Yamanote 24 min
Shibuya Toyoko, direct 12 min
Tokyo Oimachi (Oimachi), transfer to Keihin-Tohoku 31 min
Shinagawa Oimachi (Oimachi), transfer to Keihin-Tohoku 21 min
Roppongi Toyoko (Shibuya), transfer to Hibiya 16 min
Futako-Tamagawa Oimachi, direct 8 min
Yokohama, Kanagawa Toyoko, direct 18 min

Orientation Around the Station

There are three exits at Jiyugaoka Station to become familiar with.

  • The Main Exit is the most popular for meeting with friends since there is a decent covered area, in case of any rain. Exiting from here you’ll see a roundabout for taxi pickup/drop-off as well as bus stops.
  • Just around the corner from the Main Exit is the North Exit. It’s so close to the main exit it can be easy to confuse the two, but the North Exit will point you directly into Jiyugaoka Depart, a shopping mall with a very local, independent vibe.
  • Lastly, the South Exit located on the opposite side of the station will be your best bet for getting to the MELSA shopping mall quicker. It is also closer to the Kuhonbutsu River Green Way stretch of road lined with interesting shops and cute cafes.

One of the more recognizable residential neighborhoods in Tokyo, Jiyugaoka is well-known for offering residents with a comfortable, relaxing environment with plenty of shopping and dining options. The most notable of Jiyugaoka’s claims to fame is its large concentration of sweets shops and bakeries. Practically along every street and alley in Jiyugaoka you’ll find a sweets shops vying to become the next sugary sensation in Tokyo. There are too many shops to introduce, but one major location that’s become a staple of the Jiyugaoka neighborhood is Sweets Forest Jiyugaoka. There are actually eight different sweets shops inside this playfully decorated establishment. Since 2003, these shops have been creating a variety of seasonal confections, solidifying Jiyugaoka as a destination for those with a sweet-tooth.

Sometimes Jiyugaoka is referred to as Tokyo’s “Little Europe” thanks to the combination of wide pedestrian paths and storefronts that mimic those found in European towns. The small Venetian-themed shopping complex of La Vita draws quite a few visitors with its unique design and architecture.

The abundance of apparel shops, trendy cafes, and beauty salons has given Jiyugaoka a reputation as a popular neighborhood for women. Jiyugaoka also is home to a variety of zakka (miscellaneous goods) stores featuring stylish home appliances and decorations. If you enjoy these conveniences (which come at a slightly higher price compared to more practical/budget options) this area might be a great match for apartment hunting.

One of the more utilitarian benefits of Jiyugaoka’s location is that it’s close to a variety of hubs. Shibuya (12 minutes), Shinagawa (23 minutes, 1 transfer), Futako-Tamagawa (8 minutes), and Yokohama (18 minutes) are all within commuting distance.

Eating

There’s no shortage of dining options in Jiyugaoka. From unagi (Unagi Hosokaya) to burgers (Jiyugaoka Burger), you should be able to find almost every kind of cuisine. As a stylish, modern neighborhood there are also vegan options which are quite popular even with those who don’t adhere to a strict vegan diet: T’s restaurant and Saido.

What tends to attract even more attention are the trendy, fashionable cafes in the area. Blue Books Cafe is a popular location for those looking to grab a coffee and a small bite to eat in a stylish setting. LATTE GRAPHIC Jiyugaoka is another option for those who enjoy a professionally brewed cup of coffee. You can even find more traditional Japanese cafes focusing on green tea and Japanese sweets like Kosoan.

Livability

Jiyugaoka has a reputation as being a very livable neighborhood close to Tokyo, especially for singles or young couples. There are detached homes once you move away from the station (particularly to the south of the station), so it’s possible to find different housing options in the area.

In general, the area is clean and quiet, and the many shops and restaurants create an inviting environment that you’ll want to explore. This combined with the fact that the Tokyu Toyoko line provides a direct link to Shibuya means you can easily and quickly get to a major downtown hub either for commuting or for enjoying a different side of Tokyo’s nightlife.

Useful Info at a Glance

Supermarkets

Nearby Supermarkets Hours Address
SEIJO ISHII Jiyugaoka 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM 2 Chome-12-17 Jiyugaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo 152-0035
Fullel With Jiyūgaoka Tokyu Store 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM 1 Chome-6-9 Jiyugaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo 152-0035
Food Pavilion Aoba Jiyugaoka 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM 〒152-0034 Tokyo, Meguro City, Midorigaoka, 2 Chome−25−7 ラ・クール自由が丘a棟 地下
FUJI 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM 8 Chome-34-17 Okusawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0083
Peacock Jiyugaoka 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM 2 Chome-15-4 Jiyugaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo 152-0035

*This is just a selection of supermarkets in the area.

Gyms

Nearby Gyms Hours Address
Konami Sports Club Jiyugaoka Station Mon., Tue., Wed., Fri.: 9:00 AM – 11:30 PM

Thu.: Closed

Sat. – Sun.: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

〒152-0035 Tokyo, Meguro City, Jiyugaoka, 2 Chome−12−17 自由が丘スポーツプラザビル
Central Fitness Club Jiyugaoka Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri.: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Wed.: Closed

Sat.: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Sun.: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

1 Chome-14-17 Nakane, Meguro City, Tokyo 152-0031

*These are just examples of gyms available in the area.

Universities

Nearby Universities Information
Tokyo City University Tokyo City University Home Page
Sanno University Sanno University Home Page
Tokyo Institute of Technology Tokyo Institute of Technology Home Page

Ward Office, Police, Library

Nearby Community Center/City Hall/Police Station Hours Address
Meguro City Hall Mon. – Fri.: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sat. – Sun.: Closed

2 Chome-19-15 Kamimeguro, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0051
Midorigaoka Library Mon.: Closed

Tue. – Sat.: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Sun.: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

2 Chome-14-23 Midorigaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo 152-0034

Clinics

*These are examples of clinics in the area.

Parks

Family-Friendly Features

Nearby Family Friendly Features Address
Midorigaoka Children’s Hall 2 Chome-7-20 Midorigaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo 152-0034
Ability Station Jiyugaoka 7 Chome-11-14 Okusawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0083

Shopping Malls


Jiyugaoka Apartments

Apartments for rent near Jiyugaoka Station:

If Jiyugaoka’s blend of trendy city life and calm residential neighborhood checks all your apartment hunting boxes, use our site to find listing tailored to your needs! For example, search for affordable studio apartments in the area and you can find 1R apartments for around ¥60,000 per month! If you need a little more space, 1LDK and 2DK apartments start at around 100,000 per month!

Apartments For Rent in Jiyugaoka

Where should you live in Tokyo? Check out all our Tokyo Area Guides to find the perfect place!

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