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Over the years, we’ve seen reports ranking everything from Japanese castles to animeand even Sanrio characters. While the results are usually aimed at showing the best of a certain category, now it’s time for a list that concentrates on revealing the worst, with a look at the most “hellish” areas to live in and around Tokyo.
Nikkan Spa magazine compiled the unusual list with the help of a Japanese real estate agent, who identified the following top three characteristics for determining a hell-like suburb: 1. There are few businesses in the area selling less than the bare necessities, and it’s dark and lifeless at night 2. It’s very likely that the real estate value will drop 3. In the event of a disaster, it’s a very risky area to be in.
According to the real estate professional, people often move to certain areas of Tokyo because they’ve been made popular in the media as great places to live, but once they actually live there, it turns out to be an entirely different story. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the five areas that are so far from being great they’ve been described as areas that are “like hell to live in”.
5. Makuhari (Chiba Prefecture)
The Greater Tokyo Area fans out to incorporate the neighbouring prefectures of Kanagawa and Chiba, where many residents commute in and out of the capital each day. Makuhari in Chiba, which is home to the Makuhari Messe convention complex, is a seaside town with parks and beaches, making it seem like an ideal place to live. However, according to a 27-year-resident of the area, there are only two convenience stores in her residential zone, and they both shut at 11 p.m. On the weekends, parking is a nightmare, adding to the inconvenience.
4. Shirokane-takanawa (Minato Ward, Tokyo)
Home to a large number of foreign embassies, an address in the esteemed Minato ward of Tokyo is a big drawcard for many, and with Shirokane-takanawa’s convenient transport links and proximity to the centre of the capital, you’d think this would be a perfect place to take up residence. In reality, though, the area has a large population of elderly female residents, meaning everything shuts early at night, and the majority of restaurants are classy and expensive.
3. Kasukabe (Saitama Prefecture)
Located on the outskirts of Saitama Prefecture, this city is best known as the real-life setting for the Crayon Shin-chan manga and anime series, whose creator, Yoshito Usui, also lived in the area. For some, this might seem like a calm suburban oasis, with a lot of elderly people seen frequently around the station, but according to real estate consultant Osamu Nagashima, the population here has decreased sharply over the last decade, as the city’s youth have been leaving to find work in larger areas. With the local department store shutting its doors last year, property prices are also likely to decline here in future.
2. Kamakura (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Best known as the home of the Great Buddha of Kamakura, the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, this city draws thousands of tourists from Japan and around the world each year. Although the scenic landscape is often featured in movies, according to residents, it’s actually a nightmare to live here on weekends, as the large number of tourists creates huge traffic jams. One man who’s been living in the area for nine years says it takes two hours to drive a distance that should only take 15 minutes, so he and his neighbours often head out of town on the weekends to escape the madness.
1. Yanaka (Taito Ward, Tokyo)
At number one on the list is Yanaka, one of the few places in Tokyo to escape the fires and bombing of World War II. The lovely old-town atmosphere of this area makes it a popular destination for visitors on weekends, but one local resident in her 20s says it’s the worst area in terms of livelihood. At night, most of the stores close at 8 p.m, there aren’t many choices when it comes to dining out, and on weekends it’s stressful and difficult to move with all the crowds in the area. House prices are also said to be dropping in Yanaka, and with a large number of graves in the vicinity, a lot of the streets are dimly lit, making it a scary place for women to walk alone at night.
So there you have it, five of the most “hellish” areas to live in and around Tokyo, according to research conducted by the team over at Nikkan Spa. Personally, we’re more inclined to consider pressing public-safety criteria when it comes to defining a suburb from hell, so while these areas might have things going against them, we’re relieved to know that at least they don’t have to worry about the scourge of Japanese bosozoku biker gangs. But that could just be because young kids these days just can’t be bothered to join them anymore.
Source: Yahoo Japan News via Hachima Kikou
Read more stories from SoraNews24.
-- Moving to Tokyo? Real estate agent picks five best neighborhoods for single residents
-- Fancy a change? Magazine survey picks Japan’s 10 best towns to live in
-- Moving to Tokyo? Here are the three best, most reasonable neighborhoods to live in
- External Link
- https://en.rocketnews24.com/2017/10/11/five-of-the-worst-areas-to-live-in-and-around-tokyo/
30 Comments
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Nan Ferra
Well anywhere that is called a Mess or Messe should be clue enough to avoid it!
kawabegawa198
Looking at this awful concrete jungle sprawl in the photo, I just don't see what people like about Tokyo. I need space, and greenery, right on my doorstep. Where I live in the mountains is so much more pleasant.
JeffLee
Odd criteria. Quiet streets at night and low house prices are a boon, not a bane, if you ask me.
Who cares if stores are closed AFTER 8 p.m.?!
Britlover
@Kawabegawa: It’s a Megatropolis of fascinating energy, form, cuisine, cultures and so much more. I --and millions of others-- have had some incredible experiences in and around that City.
ozziedesigner
@kawabegawa198 agreed !!
You can stick big cities up yer clanker
yokohamarides
it’s actually a nightmare to live here on weekends, as the large number of tourists creates huge traffic jams. One man who’s been living in the area for nine years says it takes two hours to drive a distance that should only take 15 minutes, so he and his neighbours often head out of town on the weekends to escape the madness.
Earth to Taro.
You are not stuck in traffic. You are traffic.
gokai_wo_maneku
Bosozoku motercycle gangs? I didn't realize this article was from the 1980s.
Civitas Sine Suffragio
Weird judging criteria.
descendent
Gotta say I agree with much of this list. Where I live now, I have 8 large supermarkets within a 10min walk, two of which are 24hrs, tons of cheap places to eat and drink, drugstores, konbinis, a decent amount of greenery, and a good vibe of the area being "alive" without being overly crowded (like Kamakura can be on the weekends). All this despite being just 15min away from both Shibuya and Yokohama.
I know people who live in Shirokane, Makuhari, and Kasukabe, and I'm astounded they have to drive/bike just to get basic supplies like food, especially for those in Shirokane as it's smack dab in the middle of Tokyo. Yanaka I visit often and although I like it, it's definitely creepy after dark and has a lot of unsavory characters roaming about. Makuhari is just artificial. And although Kamakura is great, I prefer being able to visit easily than actually living there.
Aly Rustom
Very stupid article. And I know Kasukabe quite well. The area near that station is the perfect balance between Urban and Rural. Not too urban to where you can feel smothered like in Omiya, and not too rural to where you cant find things to do.
This is what's going to happen EVERYWHERE in Japan. In fact, the only places where this isn't happening yet are the major cities. Other than that, Japan is being hollowed out.
Toasted Heretic
I think the snobbish responses from people who don't live in Tokyo or its surrounds is why I'm glad they live where they live.
There's plenty of decent, open spaces with amenities. If you are wealthy enough to live in affluent areas, good for you and well done but don't dismiss Tokyo because you feel you've risen above it.
ClippetyClop
It isn't; They are still very much around and annoying the hell out of people everywhere.
kohakuebisu
Makuhari has events, Japan's biggest (?) Costco, and Tony Roma Ribs! A whole rotissarie chicken whenever you feel like it for the price of three bits of fried chicken from the conveni. Also, close-ish to the airport, Ikea, and Disneyland, where you could buy a year pass. I'm not especially a Disney fan, but the kids like it and I find pazazz done to that extreme quite funny. The highways headed north will be the least busy routes out of the wider Tokyo area.
I've ended up in solid traffic every time I've been to Kamakura and Shonan, so I know the feeling, but they are very nice areas and have good access to Tokyo. Regarding the traffic, you could always just buy a decent bicycle, one with electric assist if need be, or have your shopping delivered and make the traffic someone else's problem.
noypikantoku
How come Shin-koiwa is not on the list!?
Magnet
Not surprised about Kamakura being on the list. It's a tourist hotspot and gets super congested. Nice to look at and wander through, terrible to live in. Surrounding areas are quite nice though, especially Chigasaki!
Jimizo
Not sure about Makuhari. One of our offices is in Kaihimmakuhari, built on reclaimed land, and the office building ( not an old one ) was in quite a state after the March 11 earthquake. Many of the overhead walkways in the area were closed due to structural damage.
Reclaimed land isn't the best place to be when a big one hits.
Nippori Nick
Nessie
Um...get a bicycle?
mmwkdw
Clearly this article is written with little knowledge of the real worst places to live in and around Tokyo.
Perhaps it should be renamed, to "Mildly inconvenient places in and around Tokyo".
gokai_wo_maneku
What you like is a matter of individual taste. I love living in Shinjuku, but some people think it is a cement jungle and would never live here. To each his own.
Toasted Heretic
Yup. Most nights, unfortunately.
I wish the local authorities/municipality could build a track for them, removed a bit from residential areas.
If they must do their thing.
Nan Ferra
gokai_wo_manekuOct. 17 11:45 pm JST
What you like is a matter of individual taste. I love living in Shinjuku, but some people think it is a cement jungle and would never live here. To each his own.
Oh so you love living in Kabukicho???As Seinfeld would say.....not that there's anything wrong with that.....
kohakuebisu
Once you get past the supersized bags of snacks and wtf things that must be designed for McMansions, Costco has a lot of essentials at cheaper prices than Japanese supermarkets. It would be a bonus to have one near. No offence to Japanese farmers, but I want my three kids to eat properly, and paying 150 yen for two small carrots in a regular supermarket does not help. Some half decent cheese, beef, and processed meats like salami and bacon at below arm and a leg prices also make life better. Not by much, but better all the same.
miss_oikawa
Err, the locations chosen bore zero correlation to the supposed "criteria"..
And yes, Shin-Koiwa should certainly be there! First place I went when I first got off the plane all those years ago. Yakuza-central, dodgy characters all around, I loved it!
michaelqtodd
Maybe there is something wrong with me but I have always liked classy restaurants. And as for Kamakura what about the beach and the relative closeness to Shibuya by express train and the many great shojin ryori restaurants, clean air and forests ? We have things pretty good if this is all people can complain about.
Madden
I think this is an interesting article, a more practical "worst" list since most of the "dangerous" neighborhoods are probably laughable to foreigners who won't be affected by it and come from countries with much worse to offer. I remember when I visit Makuhari and always think about how beautiful it is, it seems like a well-planned urban area with wide streets and large parks. The huge AEON mall and Costco are quite nice perks but I suppose if you live in a different part of the district then it might not be so relevant for day to day life.
Shirokane is an interesting case, it's very close to places like Shinagawa, Meguro, and Tamachi which would be lively places but again if you just want to run out and get some shopping done it's not much fun to have to take a train. Biking is also an option but nothing beats just walking out and having a selection of good supermarkets within walking distance.