What is Kawasaki like?
Kawasaki has a long history, having been dominated by large manors during the Heian period and flourishing as a temple town following the construction of Kawasaki Daishi in the Middle Ages.
The city stretches from east to west. The Kawasaki area, centered around Kawasaki Station, is located near the eastern edge and was once the heart of the coastal industrial zone; at its peak, factories stood right in front of the station.
Today, however, large-scale redevelopment around the station has transformed it into a highly convenient city where you can travel from the station to commercial facilities via underground passages and arcades without ever getting wet.
- Kawasaki: A city that shines with convenience born from its industrial roots
- A blend of historic living environments and retro-style share houses!
- A surprisingly livable city with excellent infrastructure centered around the station!
- Enjoy the lingering retro charm of a rapidly evolving city in a share house!
Kawasaki: A city that shines with convenience born from its industrial roots
The Kawasaki area is located in the northeastern part of Kanagawa Prefecture, bordering Tokyo.
Kawasaki Station has a long history, opening in 1872 as the third railway passenger station in Japan. It is served by the JR Keihin-Tohoku, Nambu, and Tokaido lines. Using the Tokaido Line, you can reach Shinagawa Station in just one stop (about 9 minutes) or Yokohama in one stop (about 8 minutes). Additionally, Keikyu Kawasaki Station is located just to the east, providing access to the Keikyu Main Line and the Keikyu Daishi Line, which runs through Kawasaki Daishi toward the coastal area.
The bus network is also extensive, with terminals at both the East and West exits offering numerous local and highway buses to the coastal industrial zone. It is also geographically close to Haneda Airport, making travel stress-free via highway bus or the Keikyu Line.
Although it is in Kanagawa, its proximity to Tokyo has turned it into a popular commuter town, and its popularity is largely due to its exceptional transportation convenience.
A blend of historic living environments and retro-style share houses!
Today, the area around Kawasaki Station is home to many cultural facilities, giving it the character of an arts and culture city.
While some share houses in the Kawasaki area are larger, renovated corporate dormitories or apartment buildings, most are small-to-medium-sized renovations of private homes and apartments.
Kawasaki is known for the Keihin Industrial Zone, but it is also a city with a long history dating back to the Edo period. Perhaps because of this, many retro-style houses and apartments remain, and many share houses renovated from these buildings retain a distinct "Showa-era" taste. For those interested in architecture, it offers a rare opportunity to experience housing styles that are becoming increasingly uncommon.
Living in a share house in the Kawasaki area might just help you find a sense of daily comfort and healing.
A surprisingly livable city with excellent infrastructure centered around the station!
Once known only as an industrial zone, Kawasaki has been reborn as a commercial hub following large-scale redevelopment of former factory sites. It also promotes itself as a "City of Movies," and with multiple multiplex cinemas near the station, it is an ideal environment for film lovers.
The area is centered around the station, with underground malls, commercial facilities, shopping centers, and connected arcades, making shopping convenient even on rainy days. Naturally, there is no shortage of supermarkets, cafes, and other daily necessities.
The entertainment district at the East Exit is full of small bars that are fun to explore. However, as there are some nightlife areas, it is wise to stay aware of your surroundings and avoid areas that feel unsafe. Beyond movies, the city also promotes itself as a "City of Music," featuring famous live music venues and a welcoming atmosphere for street performers.
Perhaps due to its image as a former industrial zone, many people may overlook Kawasaki, but this has kept rent prices more affordable compared to Tokyo and Yokohama.
Why not enjoy the convenience of transportation and the easy access to movies and music by living in a Kawasaki share house?
Enjoy the lingering retro charm of a rapidly evolving city in a share house!
The Kawasaki area was historically involved in fishing and seaweed farming, while the inland areas were mostly farmland. During the Edo period, the Tokaido and Nakahara roads were developed, and the Kawasaki-juku post station was established near the current Kawasaki Station.
Because Kawasaki was adjacent to the Tama River, it developed as a hub for the "Rokugo Ferry" crossing, which was used whenever the bridge was washed away and not yet replaced.
While the area was primarily orchards during the Edo period, the large-scale reclamation of the coastal area starting in the Meiji period led to the construction of steel mills and machinery/electrical factories, triggering rapid industrialization. This continued through the Taisho and Showa periods, and at its peak, factories of famous companies stood right in front of the station.
In recent years, however, inland factories have closed or relocated, and the area around Kawasaki Station has undergone large-scale redevelopment. Large commercial facilities have replaced the factories, transforming the city so much that it is hard to imagine it was once an industrial zone.
Kawasaki is a city where history coexists with the new. For those who want to enjoy a bit of the old while pursuing modern convenience—all at a great value—a share house in the Kawasaki area is highly recommended.
Share houses in Kawasaki