What a Typical Tokyo Neighbourhood is Like

If you were to move to a typical neighbourhood in Tokyo, what would it be like? How would you get around? What would you see and do? Today I'll take you around Shin-Koiwa station.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:37 Transportation
03:55 Station life
07:12 Zoning
08:53 Safety
12:08 The hectic life

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[LifeWhereImFrom]

Some other related videos touring neighbourhoods that you might like are:

I already got most of the footage for the zoning and how Japan keeps clean videos, so those will be out sooner than later. Hope you enjoy!

[zzrhardy]

It's almost as if they design their neighbourhoods for human beings to live in, rather than automobiles to travel through... how radical.

[popgas]

Among the reasons why living in Japan makes you thin: lots of walking. Which honestly, personally, I don’t mind. The less car makes for a dream neighborhood, frankly. You have no idea how a quiet neighborhood can do to your sleep’s quality and probably on an overall, everyday livelihood.

[sunnyscott]

What a lovely video. I am a 73 year old American lady and I am always so lonely with few friends and nothing to do. Our culture has always emphasized privacy and isolation As you age and don't have family, this can be very unfortunate. After watching your video, I can understand more why so many young Americans are drawn to Japan. Thanks for a very interesting insight into such a vast cultural difference.

[aidengoesham]

I'm American, but when I was a kid I lived in japan due to my parents being in the military. It was a perfect childhood, playing with friends everyday until the bell rang.

[NotJustBikes]

This was an exceptional summary of life in Tokyo! Japan really takes walkability to the next level, and I'm definitely looking forward to the future video about zoning, as Japanese zoning is fascinating.

I've been to Japan (usually Tokyo) about a dozen times, but always for business trips. I'm planning my first vacation to Tokyo next year because I want my kids to experience what life is like there, because they do so many things so well.

[hecec]

The thing I love the most about Japan is how clean and safe it is. It always impresses me. Of course it's not perfect but it's really amazing compared to others.

[edgar]

“Tokyo” makes me nostalgic for a childhood that I never had

[GG-fmis]

Love how the neighborhoods just kind of flow together. Even though Tokyo has millions of people they seem so safe, peaceful, and quiet.

[ojcubz]

Mixed zoning is honestly genius, of course with some moderation. Having essentials being walking distance to most people will easily highlight a neighborhood. The benefits of enticing people to actually walk or ride bikes in small streets/non car crowded streets adds to the overall health of people living in that neighborhood too.

[Arkiasis]

One thing that is noticeable is that while it is very dense, it's not loud. Most of the noise in cities is from cars. Less cars means less noise. So that's why even these very narrow dense areas with apartments, businesses and everything are so quiet.

[kuromifluff]

The “silver jinzai” brought tears to my eyes. I’ve never heard of them before but it’s so wholesome. I live in the US and it’s just terrifying how unsafe it is for young children and women to be anywhere by themselves. It is heartwarming to know that the elderly in Japan do this kind of volunteer work to keep their communities safe. I’m moving to Tokyo in a few weeks to attend university and I’m so happy that I’ll be able to travel and enjoy things by myself without fear of being hurt. And now I know that there’s always someone looking out for me. :, )

[Jordan-inJapan]

This is so much more interesting to me than than seeing landmarks or flashy shopping districts. It’s just a totally different feeling than the rural part of Japan I live in. (Overall, I think I prefer living in “Inaka”, but I do crave urban stimulation now and then.) Anyway, thanks for the high-quality upload, as usual. Kp! 🍻

[johngablesmith]

I'm always amazed as to how SPOTLESS the streets are - absolutely clean. It's amazing to see.

[mesmerino]

Mixed used zoning is way better than what is in most American suburbs, single family housing zoning. SFH zoning is a scourge that led to all this urban sprawl, congested freeways, soul crushing suburbs with cookie cutter houses and boring strip malls with corporate owned stores.

[luva_carnincatsnmusic]

I got lost in Tokyo Metropolis once. In Kashiwa in Chiba Prefecture while I was residing in Abiko. It was the most amazing experience even though my Japanese was very limited. I could order coffee reasonably well and that calmed my nerves somewhat until I re-oriented to the train station. This video brought back some amazing memories of small alleys where I had the best curry I've ever tasted and I had always wondered about the residential areas with the small shops and businesses interspersed throughout. I thought that was neat. And now I know why.

[ChrisDragon]

I'm currently living in Japan (Not Tokyo, I live the next prefecture over, but It's only a 15 minute train ride to get to Tokyo), and even here I can access everything I need within a 5 minute walk. I actually love how the neighborhoods are set up with the multiple zones in one area.

I live in an apartment building that has a grocery store on the first (it also covers second) floor, and a gym on the third (and fourth) floor. Next door is a house and next to that is a Dentist Office. on the other side of the building is a Bank. Across the street is a Drug Store, the Train Station is a 5 minute walk and in that 5 minutes I pass a Temple, 3 Convenience stores, a post office, some specialty stores, two Pachinko Places, another Drug Store, a few specialty shops and restaurants, a couple Izakaya, a couple smaller apartment buildings and several houses. There is also a Koban right outside of the Train Station and a Fire Station, another dentist, and a clinic in the area.

I love how easily accessible everything is without the use of a bike or car, compared to where I grew up in the USA. In the USA I lived in a Residential Area (two story family houses), so the nearest grocery store was a 10 minute walk (2 minute drive) from my parents' house in the Commercial Area.

Also, I love how much safer Japan is as well! I'm an Elementary School ALT, and I always see my students walking around with their friends freely outside of school (BTW I LOVE running into my students outside of school it makes me happy). I also enjoy being able to run to the Conbini at 10 at night when I run out of toilet paper without worrying about someone mugging me.

[Cuatalata]

I find Tokyo similar to how I grew up in Madrid, Spain, just much cleaner and safer in spots. I love visiting and spending my time in less central neighborhoods :)

[dariusq]

Even as a tourist, Tokyo definitely felt safer late at night than my home neighbourhood. I often reminisce about growing up in Canada and feeling that same level of security.

[rishyfishy]

Despite how congested and packed in everything is, everything looks so neat and clean and aesthetic. The west needs to up its game. Wish we had cleanliness and manners like that