Long Read

Why Nerima is Ranked One of the Fastest Growing Cities (And What That Actually Means)

@Tobias King2/8/2026blog
Why Nerima is Ranked One of the Fastest Growing Cities (And What That Actually Means)

so nerima, right? it's this weird little corner of tokyo that's blowing up but not in the "omg look at us" way. more like "yeah we've been here, just getting better quietly." the numbers back it up too-japan's ministry of internal affairs says nerima's population grew by 2.1% in just two years. that's wild for a city where most places are shrinking faster than my motivation on a monday.

i talked to a local florist who said, "nerima used to be where people settled after they got priced out of shinjuku. now? they're staying because it's got everything." and she's not wrong. rent here is still cheaper than central tokyo-like, you can snag a decent one-bedroom for around ¦80,000/month instead of the ¥150,000 you'd drop downtown. that's real money saved for karaoke nights or, y'know, actual savings.

weather here's been a mixed bag lately-muggy as hell in summer, but the cherry blossoms in spring? chef's kiss. and if you're ever bored, nakano and shinjuku are just a short train ride away. perfect for when you need a dose of neon and noise.

overheard at a local ramen joint: "nerima's got the bones of a great city-good schools, parks, and now all these new cafes popping up." sounds like drunk advice, but it's true. the ward's investing in public spaces and startups, which explains why young families and freelancers are flocking here.

a black van driving down a street next to a traffic light

a group of people standing around a tree


if you're curious about nerima's vibe, check out tripadvisor's guide or hit up the local reddit board for real talk from people who actually live here. and for food recs, yelp's nerima page is surprisingly solid.


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About the author: Tobias King

Student of life, taking notes for everyone else.

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