Really like the feel (at least online photos and such) of Shimokitazawa, but living there would require I transfer at Shibuya to head South. How bad of an idea is this?

10 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Really like the feel (at least online photos and such) of Shimokitazawa, but living there would require I transfer at Shibuya to head South. How bad of an idea is this?**

   I’m considering living somewhere near either Shimo-Kitazawa station or Ikenoue Station, but this would leave me with a 40-45 minute commute and require I transfer at Shibuya.

   I’m old enough that the novelty of being at Shibuya station isn’t worth much, and I imagine this could be a somewhat hectic / stressful transfer.

   I’m wondering if this seems like a terrible idea, vs a theoretically similar length trip but on a much less busy / main line (further South)?

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2. Can’t say I’ve ever considered any transfer an issue, even during the middle of rush hour. Especially only if it’s just one transfer. Trains themselves might be packed as hell, but the transfer is pretty much always smooth, especially when you’re getting off at a station everyone else gets off at like Shibuya. Where’s the target station?

3. Commutes suck, your quality of life improves greatly the shorter and less crowded it gets.

   If it were me going to Oimachi, I would find something down that way within 15 min of possible. You can always visit Shimokitazawa anytime you want, but you need to endure your commute every day.

4. The transfer from the keio line to the yamanote or ginza line is pretty straightforward, you won’t even notice you’re in shibuya

5. Consider taking a look at Jiyugaoka? Have yet to extensively explore the area but it’s considered stylish and a popular place to live and is “just down the street” (Chazawa-Dori) from Shimokitazawa. At the very least, it appears to be a straight shot on the Toyoko or Oimachi Line.

   Going from Shimokitazawa to Oimachi is pretty bad since the Inokashira Line platform is over by Mark City and the Rinkai/Saikyo platform is all the way by Shibuya Stream. Other option would be to take the Odakyu Odawara Line and transfer to the Rinkai/Saikyo at Shinjuku which means a walk from the West side (Yodobashi etc) to the Southeast/Southern Terrace side and a bunch of stairs/escalators on both ends. Either way, both routes will involve going through 2 of the most crowded stations in the world.

   I live about 15 minutes away from Shimokitazawa by bicycle and I prefer it that way because I don’t like navigating all the narrow roads around the station, especially on the weekends.

6. I’m staying in Shimokita atm (partner lives here), imo the transfer is a bit of a pain in the ass, especially when first adjusting to it.

   Although it is a lovely area, it’s up to you how much of your time you want to devote to commuting.

7. Someone had already mentioned Jiyugaoka, but have you also considered Todoroki and Futako-tamagawa along the Oimachi Line? They are nothing like Shimokita but are decent neighbourhoods to live in.

8. Bad idea bro, i love that place when i lived there too but its not worth it

9. I love Shimokitazawa. It’s an unparalleled hub of arts and culture, and when you’re there, you can feel at the centre of something.

   But commuting from there via Shibuya would not be great. The Inokashira Line gets *really* crowded in the mornings, as every commuter from the great suburban swathes to the west is shuttled into Shibuya to make that same transfer. I would only do this if I was working hybrid remote—it would be okay a couple of times a week, but every day would be a drag.

   Get stuck into the Shimokita live music scene, it’s one of the best in the world.

10. If you think you’re too old for the novelty and stress of Shibuya station, what makes you think Shimokitazawa is a good option? Because the new Shimokitazawa is basically Shibuya Lite.