Katsushika Ward Guide

Katsushika Ward is where you'll find prime examples of traditional Tokyo neighborhoods seemingly untouched by the modernization that has become characteristic of downtown Tokyo.

The very northeast corner of Tokyo’s 23 wards, Katsushika Ward are a far cry from the skyscrapers of Shinjuku. This area, along with the surrounding wards of Adachi, Sumida, and Edogawa are all considered shitamachi (lit. “lower city” referring to the historical distinction between higher city center areas and the lower surrounding areas). Katsushika offers a quieter, slower kind of Tokyo lifestyle.

Contents

Katsushika quick facts

  • Population: 462,591 (as of January 1, 2019)
  • Area: 34.80 km²
  • Density: 13,293 (/km²)
  • Population of foreign residents: 21,849 (4.7% of total population of Katsushika)
  • About 4.7% of the total resident foreigner population of the Tokyo 23 Wards lives in Katsushika.

Major Train Stations

Station Train Lines
Kameari  JR Joban Line
Aoto  Keisei Main Line
 Keisei Oshiage Line
Shin-Koiwa  JR Sobu Line (Rapid)
 JR Chuo-Sobu Line

Main residential neighborhoods

Katsushika Ward ranks high for

  • Budget friendly rent.
  • Old residential areas with a slower pace of life.
  • Convenient for commuting to Chiba.
  • Direct commute to Tokyo Station from Kameari Station in 30-minutes.

Who lives in Katsushika Ward?

  • Those who work in Tokyo or Chiba, but prefer a much more relaxed, shitamachi living environment.
  • People looking for lower than average rent and cost of living.

Popular housing searches in Katsushika Ward

Location and highlights

Katsushika Ward has fairly convenient transportation options for getting around the eastern half of Tokyo’s 23 wards, but being located in the northeast means it can be a little bit of a trek to get to anywhere around Shinjuku or Shibuya. For instance, from Kameari Station it’s roughly 45 minutes to Shibuya with one transfer. Getting from Kameari to Tokyo Station is easier: 30 minutes, no transfers (the Joban Line stops at Nijubashimae Station, not directly Tokyo Station, which is a 1 minute walk from Tokyo Station).

Generally speaking, Katsushika Ward might be a good fit for you if you are trying to avoid living in the densely packed uber-developed city centers of Tokyo. Those who find the traditional side of Tokyo to be appealing might want to start looking around Katsushika Ward and other historical shitamachi neighborhoods.

One of the largest shrines in the ward, Kasai Shrine, is home to an antique market every first Saturday of the month. If you swing by you’ll get a chance to check out some unique traditional Japanese items such as kimonos, classic books, and tableware. 

If you mention Katsushika Ward to older Tokyoites they might recognize it as the hometown of the fictitious character Tora-san from the long running movie series Otoko Wa Tsurai Yo (It’s Tough Being a Man). Installments of this series were produced from 1969 to 1995, so the younger generation might not be familiar with Tora-san and his antics. At the Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum visitors can step into recreations of the set showcasing a shitamachi Japanese house in the postwar period.

Apartments for Rent in Katsushika Ward

Properties for Sale in Katsushika Ward

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