Dreaming of a Tokyo district far from the bustling city center? Narimasu awaits. This locality in Itabashi ward offers a peaceful Showa Era atmosphere. It is accessible by Tobu train or subway from Ikebukuro or Shibuya.
Narimasu Station’s north exit leads to a Seiyu shopping mall. A bus station here connects you to Narimasu’s attractions. Visit Joren-ji Temple. It shelters Tokyo’s Great Buddha. Explore the Akatsuka Botanical Garden. Discover art and history at Itabashi’s museums.
To experience Narimasu’s plebian atmosphere, head to Chikatetsu-Narimasu station. Cross the railway using the footbridge. It leads to Skip Village. This is a traditional shopping street.
People live peacefully here. They enjoy the changing seasons. The unpretentious shops retain their old-fashioned fronts. Cafés, ramen restaurants, and izakaya pubs line the street. You can find them gathered in tiny yokocho. Miscellaneous shops add to the scenery. Usual features of a working-class district are here too. A Daiei supermarket stands alongside The Prime shopping mall. You can also find a Pachinko and a Game Center.
Skip Village is a major part of Narimasu’s life. It hosts several events in late spring and summer. Each Saturday in May is the shotengai’s anniversary. It is celebrated like a local matsuri. Streets become livelier in July with multiple sales events. The first Thursday in August is for the Awa-Odori festival. It celebrates the deceased during Obon.
The shotengai spans between Narimasu’s two stations. Outside, a residential landscape unfolds. It features a few larger avenues and contemporary shops. The neighborhood is not very crowded. It is pleasant to walk in this old-fashioned area. Life here seems to have stopped in the Showa Era. This is amidst a megalopolis in constant change.
Narimasu offers affordable living. Rent is cheaper here compared to other parts of Tokyo. Narimasu is convenient for travel. It has two train stations. These are on the Tobu Tojo Line and the Fukutoshin Line. You can reach Ikebukuro in just 10 minutes.
You can check out Gyumo and Seiyu for groceries. Local farmers bring fresh goods too. Recently, new shops opened. Mega Donki offers quirky items. Shimamura and Nojima provide fashion and electronics.
Narimasu is home to fantastic izakayas and restaurants. Grab skewers at Torikizoku. Enjoy pizza at Saizeriya. Have sushi at Genki Sushi. Find Burger King, Mos Burger, and McDonald’s nearby. KFC and Sukiya offer quick meals. Grab coffee from Starbucks after that.
Narimasu Station opened on May 1, 1914. This coincided with the opening of the Tojo Railway line from Ikebukuro. In fiscal year 2014, the station served an average of 57,729 passengers daily. Chikatetsu-narimasu Station opened on June 24, 1983.
Narimasu Library and the Itabashi Art Museum are on the north side. Hikarigaoka Park is on the south side. Narimasu offers a unique blend of tranquility and convenience. It is waiting to be explored.