Kita City sits at the northern tip of Tokyo’s 23 wards.
It was established in 1947 when the former Oji Ward and Takinogawa Ward merged.
Among several name candidates such as “Johoku” and “Keihoku,” the simple and intuitive “Kita” (meaning “north”) was ultimately chosen.

With key stations like Akabane, Oji, Jujo, and Tabata, the area blends traditional shopping streets, riverside scenery, and industrial heritage that once supported modern Japan.

📜 Origins and History
Kita City was formed by combining Oji’s paper industry hub and the historic townscape of Takinogawa.
As the “northern center of Tokyo,” the name “Kita City” represents its geographic and cultural role.

Asukayama, famous since the Edo period as a popular leisure spot, was developed when the 8th shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, planted cherry trees for the public.
In 1873, it became one of Japan’s first official parks. Today, it remains lively in spring with cherry blossoms and in early summer with hydrangeas.

In the Meiji era, Eiichi Shibusawa and others founded a paper mill in Oji (later Oji Paper), making the area the birthplace of Western-style paper in Japan.
The Paper Museum inside Asukayama Park preserves this history.

🌸 Highlights
Kita City is packed with cultural spots, seasonal nature, and unique landmarks.

🌳 Asukayama Park
・Home to three museums (Asukayama Museum, Shibusawa Memorial Museum, Paper Museum)
・Observation deck overlooking Shinkansen and JR lines
・Nearby Kita City’s “Kita Topia” 17F observatory is a free night-view spot

🌹 Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
A masterpiece where an English-style mansion, rose garden, and Japanese garden harmonize beautifully.

🚩 Former Iwabuchi Water Gate (Red Water Gate)
A striking red historical floodgate along the river, symbolic of the region’s flood-control history.

🦊 Oji Inari Shrine and the “Fox Parade”
A folktale says foxes dressed in ritual attire and visited the shrine on New Year’s Eve.
Today, a reenacted “Fox Parade” is held annually.

💧 Otonashi Water Park
A peaceful waterside walkway built along the old course of the Shakujii River, just steps from Oji Station.

🚆 Transportation Access
Kita City functions as the “northern transportation hub” connecting Tokyo and surrounding prefectures.

🚉 Major Railway Stations

Akabane Station
・Keihin-Tohoku Line
・Saikyo Line
・Utsunomiya Line
・Takasaki Line
・Shonan-Shinjuku Line
Direct trains connect to Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Omiya, Gunma, and Tochigi.

Oji Station
・Keihin-Tohoku Line
・Tokyo Metro Namboku Line
・Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line)

Akabane-Iwabuchi Station
・Namboku Line
・Saitama Railway
Direct connection between Tokyo and Saitama.

Tabata Station
・Yamanote Line
・Keihin-Tohoku Line
A key entrance to Kita City.

Oku Station
・Utsunomiya/Takasaki Line
Located next to a major rail yard, symbolizing Kita City's identity as a “railway town.”

🚗 Roads
・Shuto Expressway C2 (Central Circular Route)
・National Route 17 (Nakasendo)
・Meiji-dori
・Kan-nana-dori
A grid-like network that enables smooth car access across the city.

🏠 Living in Kita City

🍻 Akabane
A lively town with old-style alleyways and the famous Akabane Ichibangai.
Great for dining, shopping, and enjoying casual bar hopping.

🛍 Jujo
Home to the 375-meter-long Jujo Ginza Shopping Street with around 180 shops.
Affordable prices and a strong local shopping culture.

🌳 Oji
A residential area balanced with nature and culture—Asukayama’s greenery, museums, and panoramic view spots.

🏡 Tabata / Kaminakazato
Quiet residential zones with excellent access via both Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines.

🏢 Real Estate Trends
・Steady supply of condominiums near major rail lines (Yamanote, Namboku, Keihin-Tohoku)
・Areas like Jujo, Higashi-Jujo, and Shimo offer many houses and low-rise residences
・Riverside areas have great views, but flood-hazard maps should be checked early (symbolized by the historical Red Water Gate)

🏫 Industry and Learning Hubs

📘 Paper Museum (Oji)
Hands-on exhibits about the history and technology of paper.

🏛 Shibusawa Memorial Museum
Traces the achievements of Eiichi Shibusawa, “the father of Japanese capitalism.”

🏢 Kita Topia
A cultural and administrative complex with event halls, facilities, and a stunning free observatory.

The surrounding area also hosts the National Printing Bureau Oji Plant, creating a node of government, culture, and industry.

🎯 Who Is Kita City Perfect For?

・People who work in central Tokyo but want better rent efficiency
・Residents who enjoy shopping streets and “senbero” casual bar culture
・Nature and park lovers who want seasonal beauty in daily life (Asukayama, Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, Otonashi Water Park)
・Railway fans or commuters who value direct access to multiple JR lines
・Those who want a down-to-earth Tokyo lifestyle with personality and warmth