Itabashi

Tokyo
Itabashi
Admire the Great Buddha of the Jōrenji Temple and see how families and students have made this corner of Japan’s sprawling capital their own.

Itabashi is a residential ward in Tokyo’s far north, where the metropolis meets the Saitama Prefecture. Home to a wide range of parks, shops, cinemas, hospitals and temples, and serviced by several major public transportation lines, Itabashi is one of the best places to raise a family in the Japanese capital. While still mostly a concrete jungle, it’s a homey concrete jungle, a place you can easily love.

Dodge the throngs of commuters who are heading into the city as you leave the subway to explore Itabashi in the early morning. As you walk the streets, see how the locals stop at small neighborhood shrines to pray and burn incense as offerings.

Ask the way to the Happy Road in Oyama, a covered pedestrian street that functions as an indoor market. A more stylish indoor shopping venue is the Aeon Mall near Tōbu-Nerima Station.

Home to the campuses of four Japanese universities, Itabashi is a place where students and young families dictate the fashion, the streetscape… and the prices. This makes Itabashi one of the city’s most affordable places to eat, shop and stay. The shops and cafés sell a range of weird and wonderful gadgets and the kind of sweet treats currently favored by students.

If you are on a tight budget yourself, bring a picnic to Johoku Chuo Parknear the Shakujii River. Each summer the spectacular Itabashi Fireworks Festival by the river wows the crowds. This unforgettable show has its roots in the Edo Era. There are also a few art and folk museums that are free or cheap to visit.

You can’t miss the district’s huge bronze statue, known as the Tokyo Daibutsu. This Buddha is 43 feet (13 meters) tall and sits serenely on a lotus flower pedestal in the Jōrenji Temple complex. You may spot the deities of Kōmokuten and Tamonten standing guard by the Sanmon (the entrance gate) that leads to the Buddha. If you have a life decision to make, don’t forget to consult the Wisdom Granting Bodhisattva, almost hidden among the foliage. The lush temple complex is close to the Akatsuka Botanical Garden.

To end your day in Itabashi, visit one of the district’s indoor spas to soothe your tired legs in a hot tub.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Itabashi Hotel Deals

APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
3 out of 5
1-11-10 Yokoami, Sumida, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is CA $82 per night from Dec. 1 to Dec. 2
CA $82
CA $101 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 1 - Dec 2
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,268 reviews)
"Where do I begin. APA hotels are by far one of my favourite places to stay at. The accommodation: clean! The staff: cordial! It is very comfortable and the self check-in option is super easy to use. After my stay in an APA hotel in Osaka, I knew I had to stay in another. I will definitely stay at ..."

Reviewed on Nov. 1, 2024

APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Eki Tower
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
4 out of 5
1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is CA $292 per night from Nov. 5 to Nov. 6
CA $292
CA $353 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 5 - Nov 6
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,289 reviews)
"If you want a property right in the middle of downtown locals and tourists chaos, this is the hotel for you haha. My husband and I's first time in Tokyo so we wanted to try it out, and it was pretty fun! Really easy to get around, staff were super nice and accommodating, great energy from everyone. ..."

Reviewed on Oct. 30, 2024

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
4 out of 5
2-7-1 Hanedakuko, Oota, Tokyo, Tokyo
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $240 per night from Nov. 12 to Nov. 13
CA $240
CA $264 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 12 - Nov 13
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,701 reviews)
"Great for a overnight stay"

Reviewed on Nov. 1, 2024

Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 3
The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 3
4 out of 5
2-6-5 Haneda International Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is CA $175 per night from Nov. 6 to Nov. 7
CA $175
CA $228 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 6 - Nov 7
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,460 reviews)
"Excellent airport hotel"

Reviewed on Oct. 31, 2024

The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminal 3
APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
3 out of 5
3-14-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo
The price is CA $115 per night from Dec. 1 to Dec. 2
CA $115
CA $140 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 1 - Dec 2
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,151 reviews)
Good memories
"Great area to stay. Enjoyed the onsen and the breakfast."

Reviewed on Oct. 31, 2024

APA Hotel & Resort Nishishinjuku Gochome Eki Tower
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
4 out of 5
4-10-30 Takanawa Minato-ku, Tokyo, Tokyo-to
The price is CA $178 per night from Nov. 4 to Nov. 5
CA $178
CA $221 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 4 - Nov 5
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Tokyo. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,671 reviews)
"Great stay! The hotel was clean, conveniently located near the train station, and in a safe area. The rooms were comfortable and well-equipped, making my stay easy and enjoyable. Highly recommended"

Reviewed on Nov. 1, 2024

Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Itabashi

Ikebukuro

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4.5/5(194 area reviews)

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4.5/5(171 area reviews)

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Itabashi

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