studying in Ōta-ku: real talk on universities and student survival
so you're thinking about studying in Ōta-ku? first off, it's not "tokyo's hidden gem" or any of that brochure fluff. it's a working-class ward with factories, ramen shops, and a few universities scattered around like loose change. but that's exactly why it's kinda perfect for students who don't wanna sell a kidney for rent.
rent here is roughly 20-30% cheaper than shinjuku or shibuya. you can find a decent shared apartment for about ¥50,000 a month if you're not picky about walking 15 minutes to the station. and safety? Ōta-ku is consistently ranked in the top 5 safest wards in tokyo. you can walk home at 2am with an armful of konbini snacks and not worry about getting mugged.
now for the schools. the big one is tokyo city university, which is strong in engineering and architecture. then there's kanto gakuin university, which leans more into humanities and social sciences. both are commuter schools, so don't expect a "campus life" straight out of an anime. it's more like: class, konbini lunch, part-time job, repeat.
student life here is weirdly charming. there's heiwajima onsen if you need to soak away exam stress, and endless ramen shops that'll keep you alive on a ¥500 budget. the haneda airport area means you can jet off to osaka or sapporo for a weekend without selling your soul.
pros: cheap rent, safe streets, decent universities, close to haneda. cons: not much nightlife, fewer international students, and the area can feel a bit "suburban" if you're into the neon chaos of central tokyo.
overheard from a local: "don't expect parties here. but if you want peace, part-time jobs, and a chance to actually save money, this is your spot."
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