Safest area in Tokyo to live in.

[nattsie]

Hey guys,

I'm female, 20 years old, Australian and have been learning Japanese the last 2 years and am now looking at getting myself a Working Holiday Visa. I definately know i want to go to Tokyo (atleast to start off with) but i'm not sure about which area i should be looking into. I've been looking at the 'Sakura' houses and the 'Oakhouse', but i don't know which area would be considered the most safe.

So yeah, any help with this would be great. Also if anyone knows anything about 'Sakura' and 'Oakhouse' aswell.

Thank you!

[yukio_michael]

The places you list seem to be accommodations or hostels, with multiple locations, I'm familiar with neither of them, but you don't mention where in Japan you'll be staying, what prefecture/city...?

As far as a review of those accommodations, in brief I've simply read that some locations are good, some bad... if you're concerned about the area where you will be living, then tell us this.

[Faustianideals]

Didn't she say she wanted to live in Tokyo?

[Homerduff]

Sakura Hotel - Asakusa
Oakhouse - Shibuya

I cant give you an objective statement about the regions cause I have simply never been there. Shibuya may be more safe because it might be busyer ?

[Mike Cash]

Didn't she say she wanted to live in Tokyo?

I don't like Tokyo.

padpadpadpad

[maushan3]

From what I know, correct me if I'm wrong, there are not 'safer' area in Tokyo or any city, right??

I would like to know, too, which places I should avoid, like in the Western countries, there are the 'hoods'. Are there any equivalents of the hood in Japan?

Mauricio

[TheImmigrantSong]

Hmmm I (or I should say my family) lives in Shibuya, and it is helluva busy but safe compared to nieghboring areas like Roppongi and Machida. Tokyo is a big city but from what I understand crime is not a HUGE problem here, so if you are going to Tokyo, steer clear of Roppongi and you should be fine.

I do know that the rent my parents pay here in Shibuya is crazy expensive, and when I move out into Tokyo on my own I will definatly not live here in Shibuya because it is so damn expensive....but then again, I think everywhere in Tokyo is pretty expensive!

[Homerduff]

From what I know, correct me if I'm wrong, there are not 'safer' area in Tokyo or any city, right??
I would like to know, too, which places I should avoid, like in the Western countries, there are the 'hoods'. Are there any equivalents of the hood in Japan?
Mauricio

I dont think you should worry as being a man. Its a fact that female foreigners who travel on their own should watch out though..

[nattsie]

The places you list seem to be accommodations or hostels, with multiple locations, I'm familiar with neither of them, but you don't mention where in Japan you'll be staying, what prefecture/city...?

As far as a review of those accommodations, in brief I've simply read that some locations are good, some bad... if you're concerned about the area where you will be living, then tell us this.

Yeah, i want to live in like the 'city' of Tokyo. If that's how i'd say it.

So the areas that they offer are:
Shibuya, Harajuku, Merugo
Shinjuku
Azabu, Roppongi, Hiroo
Gotanda, Shinagawa
Otemachi, Ginza, Nihombashi
Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara
Ikebukuro, Itabashi

Bascially i've been to all these places as a tourist with my Dad but now i'm doing this alone and i just wanna know if any of these places i should be wary about in the sense that i'll be walking home in the night and stuff.

[ArmandV]

You may want to ask yourself, "What can I afford?" Then compile a list of areas in your price range and investigate them.

[nattsie]

You may want to ask yourself, "What can I afford?" Then compile a list of areas in your price range and investigate them.

I can afford all those areas if i say in a guesthouse with Sakura or Oakhouse. Money isn't an issue, it's just safety at the moment.

I'm definately going to start really looking into though seeing i'm planning on applying for the WHV within the next 3 months.

Thank you everyone for your help!

[NekoMama7]

I think it all comes down to what you'll be doing and what you are really interested in doing while you're in Tokyo. You probably want to live close to where you work or study. And you may want to close to train station or bus stop. Make sure you take well lit streets. You may want to choose areas with good supermarkets or shotengai. Why don't you start by making a list of things you'd like to do while you're in Japan? If you want useful feedbacks, you need to provide more detailed and realistic information.

If you are interested in Shitamachi or good old Eddoko spirit, eastern part of Tokyo may be good for you.

I'm originally from Setagaya and that's the area I'm most familiar with. But the burb may be a bit too boring for you.

If you are into shopping and cute things, Shibuya is the place, but you can pick any locations by the trains and subways that serve Shibuya. Same for Shinjuku or Ikebukuro.

If I were you, I'd avoid Hiroo or Roppongi where lots of wealthy forein execs and diplomats live, unless you're willing to pay more than a million yen a month for rent and hang out with non-Japanese everyday. But if you can find a reasonable place, Azabu Juban may be interesting. It's a mix of old Tokyo neighborhood and international cultures.

If you're staying for a short period of time (1 to 2 years), starting at a gaijin house may be a good idea. Wherever you are going to end up, always remember that in the end only you can protect yourself. Every woman for herself.

[brian__]

Hi, I've recently been in Tokyo for a month (and briefly in other parts of the contry), with an appartment in Setagaya-ku with SAKURA HOUSE, and also 1 night in their Asakusa hostel.

I don't think there are "non safe" areas in Tokyo, like you'd consider in other countries. There is no pickpocketing in the subway, and even tho people are a bit shy to foreigners they are extremely kind and polite and will help you a lot if you ask. Don't try english though, it's rare to find someone who can speak it :p

As for sakura, I can only say but good things. Well, the appartment was quite expensive, but the staff at their offices was very helpful and gave us some documents, maps and tips to start with. It was a bit difficult to locate their building though.

Their hostel was excellent. We took a 4 people room with a lockerbox. The bathrooms have showers with lockers, AC plugs etc; they have internet pcs downstairs and their staff speaks good english. It's just.. Asakusa is a bit far from the main areas of Tokyo.

I think it's pretty safe to walk around at night, we did many nights at 3-4 am. There is usually always someone around on a bike, workers, and convenience stores are open 24/7. It's not rare to see a 20 year old girl on her bike to buy stuff at 3 AM.

If you wanna know more about my experience just ask :) You can also PM me and I will reply asap.

brian.

[yukio_michael]

Didn't she say she wanted to live in Tokyo?Perhaps I missed "Tokyo".... still, Isn't Tokyo a very big location with many different subdivisions....? Though as long as it's not Roppongi... I don't know what people mean when they say they want to live in Tokyo, since this is what people first say when they want to live in Japan, but I would never live there unless I was a millionaire....

I also don't recommend going to Tokyo to start off with... I recommend Chiba....

[Ewok85]

Yeah, i want to live in like the 'city' of Tokyo. If that's how i'd say it.
So the areas that they offer are:
Shibuya, Harajuku, Merugo
Shinjuku
Azabu, Roppongi, Hiroo
Gotanda, Shinagawa
Otemachi, Ginza, Nihombashi
Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara
Ikebukuro, Itabashi

The ones in bold are my recommendations, the one in italics are the ones that would be my last choice.

Something like that. You would not live in these places long term anyway, for a start its not the cheapest or most comfortable.

All of the places are main locations - the last places I'd like to live. The outskirts of Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa are very livable, far cheaper, and generally safer. Ikebukuro and Azabu/Roppongi are the closest to what I would call "unsafe".

[nattsie]

Thank you everyone.

Yeah, this isn't a long term thing. I'm only going for 6 months and then i'll see if i want to extend for another 6 months. But i definately won't be there for any longer then a year.

I do want to stay somewhere very central, that's why i thought the guesthouses would be great for me. I've probably decided on going to Tokyo first because that's the only place in Japan i've been before and i think if i'm living there for a while i'd rather get myself settled in a place i'm a little familar with rather than somewhere completely new. I definately want to go to another city later on in my trip though, i was thinking Osaka or Chiba.

The main reason i'm going to Japan is to furthur my language skills, i've been learning the last 2 years and i feel like i know quite a bit and can hold a conversation with someone but i'd like to become more fluent and the best way to do that is to live there. So definately good for me to stay away from areas like Roppongi where lots of foriengers are, i don't want to be speaking any unneccasary English on my trip.

Again, thanks everyone.

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

If you live in Tokyo,
You may have to consider it about a disaster such as an earthquake other than a crime.
A dangerous rank according to the area that Tokyo announces.
http://www.toshiseibi.metro.tokyo.jp/bosai/chousa_5/home.htm

[GaijinPunch]

Hiroyuki is right. I'd be far more worried about earthquakes.

Other than that, the most common form of crime a young woman can expect is getting groped on the train. Staying of of the busier trains is an easy way to avoid this, but also screaming at the top of your lungs, and/or kicking a man in the groin can also prevent this.

For the most part, if you stay in well-lit, busy areas, you are far more likely to win the lottery than get attacked.

[gaijinalways]

Certain areas do get more robberies, but Roppongi is better avoided (at night) and also Kabukicho (in Shinjuku) in the early morning.

[Taiko666]

The ones in bold are my recommendations, the one in italics are the ones that would be my last choice.
Something like that. You would not live in these places long term anyway, for a start its not the cheapest or most comfortable.
All of the places are main locations - the last places I'd like to live. The outskirts of Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa are very livable, far cheaper, and generally safer. Ikebukuro and Azabu/Roppongi are the closest to what I would call "unsafe".

Interesting- you think (for example) that Ueno-ku is safer than Shibuya-ku? To me, Ueno-ku is down-to-earth, tatty, neglected, girigiri, and in some areas, a little menacing. Shibuya-ku is a toytown surrounded by mostly well-to-do housing areas and media companies.

BTW I prefer Ueno to Shibuya (I stayed at the Hotel New Koyo in Minami Senju for 3 weeks) ... but I've a feeling that Shibuya is the safer place.

How did you come to your conclusions?

[KirinMan]

Safest area in Tokyo to live in.
Okinawa :giggle: :giggle: :gomen: :sorry: carry on.....sorry for intruding here.

[epigene]

For the most part, if you stay in well-lit, busy areas, you are far more likely to win the lottery than get attacked.
I think GP summed it up very well! :cool:

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

A crime outbreak map
http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/toukei/yokushi/yoku_av.htm

In Yamanote Line and Chuo Line,
There are many crimes.

[Ewok85]

How did you come to your conclusions?

Having lived in both, know Japanese people who live in both, and by spending lots of time in both locations at all hours of the day and night.

[HitsugiMad4eva]

i'd Love to live in kyoto or tokyo lol

[yukio_michael]

i'd Love to live in kyoto or tokyo lolLove is a strong word for a place you've never been to, isn't it?

[KirinMan]

Love is a strong word for a place you've never been to, isn't it?

However coming from someone who is 14 yrs old I can understand the allure of wanting to come to live in either Kyoto or Tokyo.

I hope you make your dreams come true.:-)

[Ewok85]

Change that to Kanto or Kansai and it makes far more sense ;)

[GaijinPunch]

You guys realize talking about which part of Tokyo is safer than the other is like asking what is sweeter... a Twix or Snickers bar.

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

I think that it is the Imperial Palace outskirts that is the safest in Tokyo.
The police are stationed for 24 hours.
In 2006, it is Tokyo life degree ranking.
http://club.homes.co.jp/research/20061109/
A comparatively safe area.
Bunkyo-ku, Setagaya-ku, Jiyugaoka.
The area that is not comparatively safe.
Okubo, Nakano-ku, Roppongi, Ikebukuro

[Taiko666]

Having lived in both, know Japanese people who live in both, and by spending lots of time in both locations at all hours of the day and night.

Fair enough, I'll get my coat.

[Ewok85]

The area that is not comparatively safe.
Okubo, Nakano-ku, Roppongi, Ikebukuro

I'm not a complete raving loon after all :cool: (maybe just 97% raving loon)

[Pepe]

Anyone ever notice that Kyoto is an anagram for Tokyo?

[Ewok85]

Only in Romaji -　とうきょう／きょうと