Eifukucho Station

As a residential area, Eifukucho is a fantastic place to live in Tokyo.
Where do I start to explain how wonderful this neighbor is. If you want the crazy Tokyo life, this is probably not for you. But if you want casual accessibility to both nature and the crazy city life when desired, Eifukucho has a great balance.
–Access–
First of all the convenience. It’s 10 – 15 mins from Shibuya and Shinjuku via train. The Keio Inokashira line doesn’t get too crazy as some major lines do, and rapid trains stop at Eifukucho. There’s also a bus that connects directly to Shinjuku or Koenji. If you’re not up for packed train rides and complicated transfers, it’s a nice option. Last train from Shibuya is around 12:40am on the weekends and that gives you plenty of time to have a great night out in the city.
–People–
The majority of people living in Eifukucho are seniors, and most buildings are residential houses. You’d be surprised how down to earth people are here. Although the neighbor is in a location where major stations are 10−15mins away, people don’t have the city like snobby attitude. It feels like a small quaint town. There’s a good mix of middle class people who have lived here for decades, the rich celebrities, CEOs, government officials, intellectual types, and a small amount of young people who somehow wounded up living here. In local shops and restaurants, there are all of these people hanging out together in the same space. People (especially the retired seniors) tend to strike up conversations casually regardless of age, and you can experience a sense of community. For me, this is a breathe of fresh air especially when genuine human interactions can seem very minimal in the heart of Tokyo.
–Daily Needs–
Most stores are independently owned /​family owned so you won’t spot too many chain stores. Most of the chain stores are near the station and can fulfill your basic convenience needs. For groceries needs, there’s a big Keio super market and a KALDI (a place that specializes in international imported food products) within the train station, Miuraya (high end super market), and small shops for meats/​vegetables along the main ‘shotengai’ road.
–Attractions–
1. There are a few extremely popular restaurants that always form lines and attract people from outside of Eifukucho such as Taishoken (ramen), La Piccola Tavvola (Italian), and Massimottavio (Italian).
2. If you enjoy nature, the biggest park in Tokyo, Wadabori Park, stretches for miles along the river. There are playgrounds, tennis courts, running tracks, fishing ponds, and BBQ areas within the park. You can enjoy all four seasons here with lots of cherry blossoms in spring, lush greens sprouting in May that provide clam shades for the summer months, and beautiful foliage in the autumn. Tons of people walking dogs, jogging, bird watching, playing sports, picnicking, playing music. Again, because of the nature of this area, the music players won’t be young band players or drum circles like you would see at Yoyogi park, but rather, an old man with a shakuhachi flute, or a professional actor singing his lines in a deep loud voice as practice. If you are a beginner jogger, an experienced stranger might randomly drop some friendly advice on your jog form.
3. Oomiya Hachimangu Shrine. There’s a huge shrine adjacent to Wadabori Park. It’s famously known for being located at the very center (they call it the belly button) of Tokyo. It’s long history and large property with lots of nature, constantly attracts people from all over. At every major occasion or seasons, they host matsuris (traditional Japanese festivals) and lots of vendors line up along the road with food, drinks, and games. Sometimes they have parades starting at the Eifukucho station, that leads all the way to the shrine, and boy, those are really fun! A truly Japanese experience to enjoy.
The down side is, there isn’t much happening here. (Which I think is a pro for a healthy life style.) Most stores close before midnight and drinking places close after the last train comes in. A chain family restaurant (Royal Host) and convenient stores are about the only businesses that run 24hours. But honestly, why would you choose to live in Eifukucho if you don’t enjoy a healthy life style accompanied by friendly grandpas and grandmas?