Step off the train at Oizumi Gakuen and the first thing you hear is the theme song from Galaxy Express 999. Walk a few minutes north and the station crowds give way to wide, tree-lined streets, family homes and quiet parks. It feels far from the neon of Shinjuku, yet Ikebukuro is only 16 minutes away.
Oizumi Gakuen sits at the western edge of Nerima City, Tokyo’s greenest residential ward. A century ago, developers planned it as an academy town. Today it is better known as the home of Toei Animation and as one of the most affordable places to rent inside the 23 wards.
If you are moving to Tokyo and want more space for your budget, Oizumi Gakuen deserves a spot on your shortlist. Here is what you need to know before you sign a lease.
Is Oizumi Gakuen a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Oizumi Gakuen is one of the best value neighborhoods in Tokyo for renters who want space, greenery and a direct train to Ikebukuro. It sits in the far west of Nerima City, right on the border with Saitama. Rent here runs well below the Tokyo average, and the streets are quiet, safe and lined with trees.
The trade-off is distance. Central Tokyo is 30 to 45 minutes away, and nightlife is limited. For families, remote workers, students and anime fans, that is often a fair deal.
| Key fact | Oizumi Gakuen |
|---|---|
| Ward | Nerima City (Nerima-ku), Tokyo |
| Station | Oizumi-gakuen Station (SI11), Seibu Ikebukuro Line |
| To Ikebukuro | About 16 min by semi-express, no transfer |
| To Shibuya | About 38 min, direct via the Fukutoshin Line |
| Average 1K rent | About ¥72,000 per month |
| Average 2LDK rent | About ¥132,000 per month |
| Known for | Toei Animation, Galaxy Express 999, grid-planned garden streets |
| Best for | Families, budget-conscious singles, students, anime fans |
This guide covers access, daily life, rent and the honest pros and cons of living in Oizumi Gakuen as a foreign resident in 2026.
How Long Is the Commute From Oizumi Gakuen to Central Tokyo?
Oizumi-gakuen Station is served by the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, and most semi-express and express trains stop here. Ikebukuro is about 16 minutes away with no transfer. Some trains also run through onto the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin and Yurakucho lines, so Shibuya and Yurakucho are reachable without changing.
| Destination | Time from Oizumi-gakuen | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Ikebukuro | About 16 min | Seibu Ikebukuro Line semi-express, direct |
| Shinjuku | About 32 min | Change to the JR Yamanote Line at Ikebukuro |
| Shibuya | About 38 min | Through service onto the Fukutoshin Line |
| Tokyo Station | About 42 min | One transfer |
| Yurakucho | About 46 min | Through service onto the Yurakucho Line |
| Roppongi | About 48 min | Change to the Toei Oedo Line at Nerima |
Source: Oizumigakuen Yumeria Hall access guide and X-House Oizumi Gakuen guide. Times vary by train type and time of day.
The last train from Ikebukuro leaves around 0:18, so late dinners in the city are realistic. Seibu buses from the station also reach Kichijoji in about 30 minutes, which opens up the Chuo Line and the Inokashira Park area on weekends.
One local detail new residents enjoy: the departure melody is the theme from Galaxy Express 999. Its creator, Leiji Matsumoto, lived in Oizumi for over 50 years, and a life-size figure of the series’ conductor serves as honorary stationmaster (GO TOKYO).
Why Is It Called Oizumi Gakuen If There Is No School?
“Gakuen” means academy, yet no school called Oizumi Gakuen exists. The name comes from a 1920s development plan. After the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, demand for suburban homes surged. Developer Hakone Tochi, the company at the root of today’s Seibu Group, bought farmland here and began selling plots in 1924 as the “Oizumi Academy City.”
The plan was to attract Tokyo University of Commerce, the forerunner of Hitotsubashi University. The university chose Kunitachi instead, so only the name remained. The developer also built and donated a station, first called Higashi-Oizumi in 1924 and renamed Oizumi-gakuen in 1933.
The planning still shapes daily life. North of the station, Oizumi Gakuen-cho has a neat grid of wide streets around tree-lined Oizumi Gakuen-dori, known for cherry blossoms in spring. Lot sizes are larger than in most of Tokyo, which explains the many detached houses.
Education did arrive later. A teacher-training school opened in 1938, and today Tokyo Gakugei University runs an affiliated elementary school and an International Secondary School near the station. The secondary school offers the IB programme, which interests many international families.
Tokyo’s anime hometown
Oizumi Gakuen is also where Japanese commercial animation grew up. Toei Animation, the studio behind Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon and One Piece, has its Oizumi studio here. Toei marks its 70th anniversary in 2026.
- Toei Animation Museum: Opened in July 2018 inside the studio grounds. Entry is free, and it is closed on Wednesdays (official site).
- Oizumi Anime Gate: Bronze statues of classic anime characters at the station’s north exit.
- Anime Project in Oizumi: A yearly local festival; the 2026 edition was held on May 31.
For a calmer outing, Makino Memorial Garden honors botanist Tomitaro Makino and is a short walk from the station.
What Is Daily Life Like in Oizumi Gakuen?
Daily life in Oizumi Gakuen centers on the station. Pedestrian decks link both exits to shops, a bus terminal and the Yumeria complex. Yumeria holds a concert hall, shops and a residential tower, and most errands can be done within a few minutes’ walk.
Groceries. Several supermarkets sit within 2 to 7 minutes of the station, including Food Hall Aoba and an Akol store open until midnight. Prices are noticeably lower than in central wards. For imported goods, the Gyomu Super chain has branches across Nerima City.
Parks and nature. Green space is the biggest draw. Shakujii Park, with its ponds and woodland, is one station toward Ikebukuro. Oizumi Central Park lies north of the residential grid. Makino Memorial Garden offers a small, seasonal garden right in town.
Families. Wide sidewalks, low traffic and plenty of parks make Oizumi Gakuen popular with young families. Nursery and elementary school options are plentiful, and the IB-track International Secondary School is a real advantage for internationally minded parents.
Entertainment. Nightlife is thin. You will find chain cafes, izakaya and local udon shops, but bigger nights out mean a 16-minute ride to Ikebukuro. Many residents see this as a feature, not a flaw.
How Much Is Rent in Oizumi Gakuen?
A 1K near Oizumi-gakuen Station averages about ¥72,000 a month, and a family-sized 2LDK about ¥132,000. That is among the lowest rent levels on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line inside the 23 wards.
| Layout | Average rent (JPY/month) | Typical renter |
|---|---|---|
| 1R (studio) | ¥63,700 | Students, short budget stays |
| 1K | ¥72,000 | Single workers |
| 1DK | ¥83,900 | Singles who cook at home |
| 1LDK | ¥105,300 | Couples, remote workers |
| 2LDK | ¥131,900 | Small families |
| 3LDK | ¥162,800 | Families with children |
Source: at home rent averages for Oizumi-gakuen Station, based on the last three months of listings. Figures exclude management fees.
Housing types you will find
Near the station, expect mid-rise apartment buildings and a few towers. Further north in Oizumi Gakuen-cho, low-rise apartments and detached houses dominate. Older wooden apartments offer the cheapest rents, while newer reinforced-concrete buildings cost more but are warmer and quieter.
Furnished, foreigner-friendly options also exist. In October 2026, Arealty listed furnished 1K units of about 25 m² within a 4-minute walk of the station for roughly ¥117,000 to ¥126,000 per month, with no deposit. These cost more than the market average but bundle furniture and simpler move-in terms.
Browse current options on our Nerima-ku apartments for rent page, or jump to 1K apartments in Nerima and 2-bedroom apartments in Nerima.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Living in Oizumi Gakuen?
Oizumi Gakuen suits people who value space and calm over nightlife. Here is how it balances out for foreign renters.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rent well below central Tokyo, so you get more space for the money | Shinjuku and Tokyo Station take 30 to 45 minutes |
| Direct trains to Ikebukuro, Shibuya and Yurakucho | Only one rail line; delays on it affect everyone |
| Quiet, safe, tree-lined streets with many parks | Limited nightlife and fewer international restaurants |
| Good schools, including an IB-track public secondary school | Fewer English-speaking services than central wards |
| Unique anime culture and community events | Northern streets can be 15 to 20 minutes on foot from the station |
Our take: If you work in Ikebukuro, Shibuya or along the Fukutoshin Line, Oizumi Gakuen is a strong pick. If your office is near Tokyo Station or in Minato, compare it with stations closer in, such as Nerima or Ekoda. Our guide to the best neighborhoods to live in Tokyo can help you shortlist.
Oizumi Gakuen FAQ
Is Oizumi Gakuen in Tokyo or Saitama?
Oizumi Gakuen is in Tokyo, in Nerima City, one of the 23 special wards. The northern edge of the neighborhood borders Niiza in Saitama Prefecture.
Is Oizumi Gakuen safe for foreigners?
Yes. It is a quiet residential area with low crime and many families. As anywhere in Japan, standard precautions apply, such as locking bicycles.
How do I get from Oizumi Gakuen to Shinjuku?
Take the Seibu Ikebukuro Line to Ikebukuro, then change to the JR Yamanote Line. The trip takes about 32 minutes in total.
Can I visit the Toei Animation Museum for free?
Yes, admission is free. The museum is inside the Toei Oizumi studio and closes on Wednesdays. Check the official calendar before visiting, as hours change for events.
Is Oizumi Gakuen cheaper than other parts of Nerima?
Generally, yes. Average rents near Oizumi-gakuen Station are lower than at Shakujii-koen or Nerima-Takanodai, the next stations toward Ikebukuro.
Is Oizumi Gakuen Right for You?
Oizumi Gakuen gives you a planned garden suburb, low rent and a 16-minute ride to Ikebukuro, all inside Tokyo’s 23 wards. It is ideal if you want room to breathe, work along the Seibu or Fukutoshin lines, or are raising children. If you need to be near Minato or Tokyo Station every day, a station closer in may serve you better.
Want the bigger picture first? Read our full Nerima City guide for ward-wide data on schools, hospitals and housing trends.
Ready to Find Your Apartment in Oizumi Gakuen?
Arealty helps foreign and Japanese renters find apartments across Tokyo with English support from search to move-in. Browse apartments for rent in Nerima-ku, explore all rentals in Japan, or visit Arealty to speak with our team.
Publishing notes (remove before posting)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Focus keyphrase | Oizumi Gakuen |
| SEO title | Oizumi Gakuen Guide 2026: Rent, Access and Living Tips |
| Slug | oizumi-gakuen-neighborhood-guide |
| Meta description (151 chars) | Living in Oizumi Gakuen, Nerima: rent from about ¥72,000, 16 minutes to Ikebukuro, anime culture and family-friendly streets. Full 2026 guide. |
| Category | Area Guide > Tokyo |
| Tags | Nerima City, Nerima-ku Tokyo, Oizumi Gakuen |
| Author | Lucy Nguyen |
| Image alt text ideas | Oizumi Gakuen Station north exit; Oizumi Gakuen-dori cherry blossoms; Toei Animation Museum in Oizumi Gakuen |
Sources
- Oizumigakuen Yumeria Hall: access
- X-House: living around Oizumi Gakuen
- GO TOKYO: Oizumi-gakuen Station
- GO TOKYO: Toei Animation Museum
- Toei Animation Museum: Anime Project in Oizumi 2026
- Traffic News: why Oizumi Gakuen has no school
- Sumitomo Mitsui Trust: Oizumi Gakuen town archive
- at home: Oizumi-gakuen Station rent averages
- Arealty: Nerima-ku listings
Real estate advisor at Arealty Japan, specialising in helping foreign residents navigate the Tokyo and Osaka rental markets. Lucy has guided hundreds of international renters — from Working Holiday visa holders to corporate relocations — through Japan’s apartment application process. Her writing draws on firsthand experience with landlord screening, guarantor companies, and foreigner-friendly listings across all 23 Tokyo wards and major Kansai cities.
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