Bedtowns of Tokyo - Bunkioku

[princeofseoul]

I find the most interesting parts to visit in foreign lands to be the residential
districts: even between neighbouring countries such as Italy/France or
Korea/Japan, there are substantial differences in how those neighbourhoods
look like. I'll make a few threads covering several bedtowns of Tokyo to give
a good idea of how it feels like to live here. Perhaps many of you will
find the pictures interesting and exotic.

I'll start with Bunkio-ku, just opposite the akamon and main gates of the
Hongo campus of the University of Tokyo. The neighbourhood is located in
the older part of Tokyo and has some charming traditional houses.

From what I've heard, this is a somewhat expensive area of Tokyo to live in
as it is very quiet while being within a 15-25 mins subway ride of the major
business and entertainment districts. As a side note, the rent of a 30m2 flat
is on average about 75,000 to 85,000 yens per month in the Tokyo ward
area, but a bit more here I'm guessing.

Here are some pictures near the Hongo-Sanchome subway exit

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/8420/img43260kr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/9804/img4327b8pg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

and within the residential area:

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/7171/img43294cp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/267/img43328uo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4049/img43333ij.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/741/img43389jl.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9093/img43399hs.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/1076/img43429qx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/457/img43449hi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6025/img43470xk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5856/img43509jn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/4198/img43548pg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1087/img43554mx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5688/img43566wr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4900/img43575pj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3088/img43588ox.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8627/img4367b6dm.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2163/img4378b4nc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5660/img43799eg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/5516/img43854kh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3995/img43866ny.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/540/img43810xz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4900/img43824sa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

cheers

[mrgazpacho]

Some interesting pictures!

The one with the wide BMW in the narrow driveway is funny :lol:

And the "stepped" apartment block has always intrigued me - I remember catching a view of it from Ueno Park when I was on holidays.

Nice shot of the multi-story car-park as well :cool:

[coldstar]

This area is well-known as the rare place in Tokyo which was not destroyed in US air raids during WW2.

[Tk101]

bunkyo-ku seems like an interesting place to be and live. that step building.... i thought i saw it on SC3 unlimited, as the Yoshi tower. really nice too.

[InitialD18]

great photos ... it really shows how a neighborhood in tokyo work ... station, main street, residential street, smaller residential street with tight lots, tight homes tight garages ... i really love seeing these types of photos in non-busy areas in a city ... great sets thank you ...

[Ray]

Hey, that step building - I swear I saw that in the not-too-far distance from Ueno. Is it somewhat close to there?

[Ookido]

Oh! I wallked around that sreets a lot of hours.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5660/img43799eg.jpg

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/85/5180/1024/05071917.DSCF1114.jpg
Ueno :)

I love this street:
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/8113/dcp80645bt.jpg

[Tk101]

I guessing your in japan?
if so how long are you staying?

[Tk101]

I guessing your in japan?
if so ,how long are you staying?

[princeofseoul]

Hey, that step building - I swear I saw that in the not-too-far distance from Ueno. Is it somewhat close to there?

Yes, the picture of the step building was taken from the U. of Tokyo campus, which is 1-2 kms from Ueno. Here's a map of the Tokyo wards to give an idea of where Bunkyo-ku is located:

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/410/23ku1tk.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[princeofseoul]

I guessing your in japan?
if so ,how long are you staying?

:? myself? a couple of years.

[Tk101]

o, so you live there, sorry i thought you were visiting.
what part of tokyo live in?

[princeofseoul]

what part of tokyo live in?

I prefer not to reveal my location to keep the paparazzis away :D

[milan78]

Common tell us, so I can come and beat you up and take your money

[princeofseoul]

Common tell us, so I can come and beat you up and take your money

In return, I'll give you a red handkerchief and a ride home.

Don't forget me, I'm the lonely prince in the high tower. Hurry and come to me, I miss you. ;)

[Tk101]

I wouldn't be able to come to your house any way... I live in Chicago so why would fly that far just to go to your house.

[milan78]

prince of seoul you are a good man-love the pics

[princeofseoul]

prince of seoul you are a good man

You have a flair for people: Indeed, they say I'm very good.

I'm curious about your signature.. What does "Nis" stand for?

[mrgazpacho]

I think Nis is a city in Serbia?

[milan78]

Good stuff Mr Gazpacho!!!

[milan78]

Good stuff Mr Gazpacho!!! Same city that Stojkovic comes from- he played for Nagoya Grampus Eight and is famous in Japan

[Nick]

Is Bunkioku a bedtown? I would think its part of the city or the innner suburbs.

Usually a bed town is a place over 1 hour from the city via rail.

Mito,although the capital of Ibaraki city could be classified as a bed town.Nariata is definitely a bed town.90 percent of its commuters ride into the Tokyo to work.

Around the Osaka there are some well known bed towns.Most of lower Shiga is a one huge bed town of 1.3 million.Sanda,Seishinchuo and even Wakayama city,the capital(And worst city in Japan in my opinion)is a bed town.

[princeofseoul]

Is Bunkioku a bedtown? I would think its part of the city or the innner suburbs.


I agree.. Maybe a better word would be residential district but I have a preference for shorter titles ;)