Is Mitaka Safe? Moving to Tokyo, Japan

Mitaka Station
What You’ll Learn:
  • Mitaka City’s strengths and weaknesses by the numbers
  • Good points about Mitaka City that are hard to quantify
  • Disadvantages and challenges of Mitaka City
  • Conclusion: Is moving to Mitaka City a good idea or not?

To sum it up, moving to Mitaka City is a good idea!

Below, we explain Mitaka City’s attractions, disadvantages, and why we concluded that moving to Mitaka City is a good choice.

If you want to know about Mitaka City, please read to the end.

Mitaka City’s Appeal Compared to Other Cities

Above, the green line is the rating for Mitaka City, and the orange line is the average rating for cities outside of Tokyo’s 23 wards that have stations within 30 minutes of access to the Yamanote Line station.

Let’s look at each one in turn.

Train Access to Central Tokyo

Mitaka City has JR Chuo Line, Sobu Line, and Keio Inokashira Line running through it, and Tokyo Metro Tozai Line extends to Mitaka Station. The JR Chuo Line offers the quickest route to central Tokyo, taking about 15 minutes from Mitaka Station to Shinjuku Station. Using the Keio Inokashira Line, it takes about 20 minutes from Mitakadai Station to Shibuya Station.

Population and Future Projections

Mitaka City’s population is about 190,000. By 2045, the population is expected to increase by about 1%, a rare trend in Japan. This indicates Mitaka’s high appeal.

Is Mitaka Safe?

Mitaka City is considered very safe compared to other cities. In 2021, there were 727 reported crimes, equating to approximately 3.81 crimes per 1,000 people, lower than the average of 5 crimes in other cities. Along the JR Chuo Line, Mitaka has the best safety record compared to neighboring cities.

Real Estate Market

Real estate prices in Mitaka City are relatively high. The average rent for a one-room apartment is about 68,000 yen, and a 2LDK apartment is about 180,000 yen. New condominiums average around 54 million yen, and new houses around 65 million yen.

Medical Facilities

Mitaka City has 150 medical facilities, which equals 0.79 facilities per 1,000 people, an average number compared to other cities.

Childcare

In 2021, there were 92 children on the waiting list for childcare. There are 56 licensed childcare facilities, and 52% accept children under three months old.

Unique Benefits of Mitaka City

  1. Inokashira Park: This park straddles Mitaka City and Musashino City, offering nature and recreational space. Mitaka also hosts the Ghibli Museum within the park.
  2. Late-Night Buses: Mitaka has late-night bus services, providing an affordable option for returning home after missing the last train from areas like Shinjuku.
  3. Multiple Routes to Central Tokyo: Mitaka has multiple routes to central Tokyo via JR Chuo Line, Sobu Line, and Keio Inokashira Line, offering flexibility if one route is disrupted.

Points to Note Before Moving to Mitaka City

Now, let me introduce the next point that you need to know in advance if you are moving to Mitaka City.

Hazard Maps

https://www.city.mitaka.lg.jp/c_service/034/034182.html

Mitaka City has flood hazard maps indicating potential flooding near Nogawa and Shinkawa rivers. These maps are based on extreme rainfall predictions that are rare.

Liquefaction Risk

https://doboku.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/start/03-jyouhou/ekijyouka/top.aspx

The area has a low risk of liquefaction, but it’s advisable to check specific areas if you’re considering moving.

Conclusion: Is Mitaka City Livable?

Mitaka City offers excellent train access to central Tokyo, a predicted population increase, and a lower crime rate compared to neighboring cities. However, real estate prices are high, and there are many children on waiting lists for childcare. The presence of Inokashira Park, late-night bus services, and multiple routes to Tokyo are additional benefits.

Overall, Mitaka City is a good place to live, balancing convenience, safety, and amenities.

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