Tabata Area Guide

Contents

• Location
• Key Stats
• Orientation Around the Station
• Livability
• Useful Info at a Glance
• Tabata Apartments

Location

Tabata is a residential neighborhood located in Kita Ward. It’s the northernmost stop on the Yamanote Line, and as such, is almost equidistant from Shinjuku and Tokyo (18 min and 16 min respectively). It’s relatively close to large hub stations like Ikebukuro and Ueno as well.

What this neighborhood lacks in entertainment and shopping options (especially compared to other Yamanote Line stations like Ueno and Ikebukuro) it makes up for with its calm, quiet environment with plenty of traditional Tokyo charm. For those who can’t imagine living in crowded areas like Shinjuku, Tabata offers great transportation convenience thanks to being located on the Yamanote Line without the dense crowds of tourists.

Key Stats

Average Rent in Tabata

Apartments For Rent in Tabata

Train Lines

JR/Subway/Other	Line
JR East	Yamanote
JR East	Keihin-Tohoku

Accessibility

Orientation Around the Station

Tabata Station has a very straightforward layout. It’s accessed by the JR Yamanote Line and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line.

• The North Exit is the main exit for the station, where you’ll find the station staff and bathrooms. This exits out to a Atrevie shopping mall and the taxi/bus pickup/drop-off loop.
• The South Exit is extremely easy to miss as there are no distinguishing features around it. There aren’t any facilities at this exit (no bathroom and no staff – there is an intercom to call staff if you need assistance here though).

There is bicycle parking next to the North Exit, but you won’t find bicycle facilities at the South Exit.

The famous Yamanote Line connects huge transportation hubs like Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Shinagawa, and Ueno. Tabata Station can definitely seem like an oddity if directly compared to its Yamanote Line peers. In fact, Tabata Station’s most notable feature is how unassuming it is.

However, this is an important distinction for those looking for a balance between calm residential areas and accessibility to downtown Tokyo excitement. From Tabata Station you can be in Shinjuku or Tokyo in less than 20 minutes, without need to transfer trains.

When exiting the North Exit of Tabata Station, you might be surprised at the lack of buildings and businesses. Besides the Atrevie building and adjacent eateries (Gusto, Fuji Soba, and McDonald’s), the area outside the station has a very residential feel.

Livability

With a large Maruetsu supermarket north of the station and a decently sized Co-op supermarket to the south, residents shouldn’t have a hard time stocking up on fresh produce. There is a surprising amount of dining options as well if you are confident with your Japanese language ability. Since this part of Tokyo doesn’t attract many tourists, the establishments tend to not carry English menus.

There are a few playgrounds around the neighborhood which are great features for those with small children. However, there isn’t a large open space for picnics or barbecues in Tabata. You’ll have to head up to Asukayama Park near Oji Station or Yoyogi Park in Shinjuku if you want to enjoy a picnic in the park.

One thing to be mindful of if you are planning on viewing an apartment in Tabata is that your path to the station might include a hill or two. Keep this in mind when doing your room viewing, and try to imagine if climbing up/down a hill every day for your commute is something you’re prepared for.

You’ll find Yanaka Ginza close to Tabata. This stretch of road has a very retro-Tokyo vibe which is popular with Tokyoites and tourists alike. There are a variety of cafes and temples/shrines lining the streets, making it a popular destination for afternoon strolls on the weekend.

Overall, the Tabata neighborhood is a very livable environment for those seeking a calm, relaxed slice of Tokyo. It’s suitable for both those who are single and for families.

Useful Info at a Glance

Supermarkets

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

Gyms

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

Universities

Language Schools

Ward Office, Police, Library

Parks

Family-Friendly Features

Shopping Malls

Tabata Apartments

Apartments for rent near Tabata Station:

• Tabata Station apartments
• Komagome Station apartments
• Nishi-Nippori Station apartments
• Nippori Station apartments
• Kaminakazato Station apartments
• Oji Station apartments
• Sendagi Station apartments
• Hon-komagome Station apartments

The Tabata neighborhood can be very appealing to those looking for an apartment in Tokyo since it’s located on the Yamanote Line for convenient transportation yet the average rent tends to be rather affordable compared to other Yamanote Line stations.

Apartments For Rent in Tabata

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

Dive Deeper

• Average Rent in Tokyo – Least expensive stations on the Yamanote Line in 2019: Tabata Station had the second lowest average rent of any station on the Yamanote line in 2019. This article takes an in-depth look at the Top 5 least expensive stations on the Yamanote.
• Most expensive places to live on the Yamanote line – 2019 Ranking.
• Kita Ward – Like much of northern Tokyo, Kita Ward is largely populated by working-class families, single working people and professionals, and increasingly by foreign residents, mainly from Asian countries. Kita is crisscrossed by four rivers and has an abundance of green spaces, which also makes it very family friendly. Read our in-depth guide to Kita Ward to learn more about its many convenient residential neighborhoods, including Jujo, Akabane, Oji, and Tabata.

Lead photo: Scott Kouchi