Tokyo’s rail network is so extensive that it can be hard to know which stations are truly convenient. Ichigaya Station is a transport hub where four lines intersect—JR Chūō/Sōbu Local, Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line, Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and the Toei Shinjuku Line. In this article we list every station located outside the Yamanote Line that you can reach from Ichigaya in 20 minutes or less, divided into two categories: (1) no transfer required and (2) one transfer maximum.

1. Reach Ichigaya in 20 Minutes with No Transfers

1-1. JR Chūō/Sōbu Line (Local)

The local service runs straight through from Kōtō and Arakawa wards in the east to Nakano and Suginami wards in the west. Only stations outside the Yamanote Line are listed.

Station	To Ichigaya	Notes
Asakusabashi	≈10 min	Wholesale district meets cafés; rents lower than in Chiyoda
Ryōgoku	≈12 min	Sumo town, Edo-Tokyo Museum and Sumida River Terrace nearby
Kinshichō	≈16 min	Cluster of large malls plus downtown gourmet scene
Kameido	≈18 min	Famous for Gyoza Street and Kameido Tenjin Shrine
Hirai	≈20 min	Quiet riverside housing; lower rents
Ōkubo	≈9 min	Lively multicultural food street
Higashi-Nakano	≈11 min	Redevelopment brings towers; plenty of supermarkets
Nakano	≈15–17 min	Sub-culture mecca coexists with redevelopment
Kōenji	≈18–19 min	Vintage shops and live-houses create unique vibe
Asagaya	≈19 min	Covered Pearl Center arcade is handy
Ogikubo	≈20 min	Ramen hot-spot; transfers to Marunouchi Line

Share-house Example in Asakusabashi

Asakusabashi Review

The JR Sōbu and Toei Asakusa lines intersect here, giving you one stop to Akihabara and through-runs to both Narita and Haneda airports. Groceries are never a problem thanks to the 24-hour “Life” supermarket and the bargain-priced “Super Jumbo Asakusabashi.” Craft lovers will be inspired by the leather and bead wholesalers at “Shimojima,” and on weekends it’s standard practice to stroll the Sumida River Terrace to “LEAVES COFFEE” in Kuramae. Downsides include train noise late at night because the Sōbu Line viaduct is so close. The sidewalks along Edo Street are narrow, making bicycle traffic a bit risky. Large shopping centers and cinemas are absent, so you’ll need to head to Akihabara or Asakusa for entertainment, but overall the balance between downtown charm and central access makes the area highly livable.

1-2. Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line

Stations on both the Ikebukuro side and the bayside are listed, limited to those outside the Yamanote Line.

Station	To Ichigaya	Notes
Kanamechō	≈14–15 min	Walkable to Ikebukuro yet cheaper rent
Senkawa	≈15 min	Shops and parks; family-friendly
Kotake-Mukaihara	≈17 min	Connects to Fukutoshin & Seibu lines
Shintomichō	≈8 min	Near Tsukiji market; plenty of eateries
Tsukishima	≈12 min	Famous “Monja Street”; downtown feel meets high-rises
Toyosu	≈15 min	LaLaport mall, market and canal promenade
Tatsumi	≈17 min	Open views of Tatsumi Seaside Park and canals
Shin-Kiba	≈19 min	Transfers to Keiyō & Rinkai lines for bay area and Disney

Share-house Example in Kanamechō

Kanamechō Review

The Yūrakuchō and Fukutoshin lines put Ikebukuro one minute away and offer a direct ride to Shibuya. The “Life Kanamechō” supermarket and the 24-hour “Akore Kanamechō” cover late-night essentials, while the tree-lined paths of the “Kanamechō Library” and “Rikkyo University Ikebukuro Campus” are perfect for walks. On weekends you can stroll to “Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park Global Ring” or the “Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre” for outdoor gigs and plays. Cycling 10 minutes brings you to the “Tokiwa-sō Manga Museum” or “Ike-Sun Park,” handy for families. Downsides are the narrow sidewalks and heavy traffic on Senkawa Street, plus rush-hour crowding in the station. Big malls and cinemas are Ikebukuro-dependent, and late-night dining is scarce, but overall the calm environment and convenience balance out nicely.

1-3. Tokyo Metro Namboku Line (Including Through-Running on Tōkyū Meguro Line)

Station	Travel Time	Remarks
Fudō-mae	≈17 min	2 min to Meguro + 15 min Namboku; near Musashi-Koyama arcade
Musashi-Koyama	≈18–19 min	Redeveloped with tower condos and mall
Nishi-Koyama	≈19–20 min	Retro shopping street; cheaper than Meguro ward
Nishigahara	≈13 min	Near Former Furukawa Gardens and Asukayama Park
Ōji	≈15 min	North Ward Office and Toden Tram hub
Ōji-Kamiya	≈17 min	Open riverside vistas of Arakawa and Sumida
Shimo	≈18 min	Quiet residential; jogging along the riverbank
Akabane-Iwabuchi	≈19–20 min	5 min walk to Akabane Station for Saikyō Line

Share-house Example in Nishigahara

Nishigahara Review

The Namboku Line gets you to Iidabashi in 11 min and Nagatachō in 17 min. A 3-min walk brings you to “Summit Supermarket Takinogawa Kōyōbashi” and the 24-hour “Maruetsu Petit Komagome Nakazato.” Roses in the Former Furukawa Gardens and cherry blossoms in Asukayama Park let you enjoy the seasons. The North Ward Central Library and the Toden Arakawa Line’s “Asukayama” stop are about 10 min on foot. Downsides: few eateries beyond chains, so dining out means heading to Ōji or Komagome. Many slopes make cycling tough, and alleys can be dark at night. Overall, the combo of greenery, quiet and convenient access is attractive, though shopping and nightlife options are limited.

1-4. Toei Shinjuku Line (Including Through-Service to Keio Line)

This line runs east-west across Tokyo. All stations outside the Yamanote Line that can reach Ichigaya in 20 minutes are listed.

Station	Travel Time	Remarks
Bakuro-yokoyama	≈8 min	Underground link to JR Bakurochō and Toei Asakusa Line
Hamachō	≈10 min	Sumida riverside park and Ningyōchō gourmet close by
Morishita	≈12 min	Walk to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa; booming café scene
Kikukawa	≈13 min	Downtown shopping streets mixed with homes
Sumiyoshi	≈15 min	Direct to Shibuya via Hanzōmon Line
Nishi-Ōjima	≈18 min	Large housing complexes and malls; low prices
Ōjima	≈19 min	Near Arakawa riverbeds; great for outdoor fans
Higashi-Ōjima	≈20 min	BBQ by the Old Nakagawa waterside
Hatsudai	≈9 min	Landmarks: New National Theatre & Opera City
Hatagaya	≈10 min	Well-lit along Kōshū Kaidō at night
Sasazuka	≈12 min	Lively shopping street; Keio Line transfer
Daita-bashi	≈15 min	Lower rent along Route 7 Ring Road
Meidai-mae	≈15–16 min	Student town; transfer to Inokashira Line
Shimo-takaido	≈20 min	Retro shopping street; Setagaya Line connection

Share-house Example in Morishita

Morishita Review

Two lines—Toei Shinjuku and Ōedo—deliver Tokyo Station in 15 min and Roppongi in 20 min. “Ōzeki Morishita” supermarket and 24-hour “My Basket Morishita Station South” cover late shopping. Weekends mean grabbing Blue Bottle Coffee in the Kiyosumi-Shirakawa area 10 min on foot and soaking in downtown culture at “Fukagawa Edo Museum.” “Takahashi Norakuro Road” is a standing-bar paradise; ending the day with “Yamariki” stewed offal is bliss. Drawbacks: constant traffic noise on Shin-Ōhashi-dōri and strong riverside winds that make winter cycling tough. No large bookstores or cinemas, so entertainment is in Kinshichō or Akihabara, yet rent and central access make overall living comfortable.

From here we list stations that reach Ichigaya in 20 minutes with one transfer. Even if the transfer station is inside the Yamanote Line, the departure station is always outside.

2. Reach Ichigaya in 20 Minutes with One Transfer

2-1. Iidabashi Transfer Route (Tōzai Line / Ōedo Line)

Station	To Ichigaya	Route
Kiba	≈19 min	Kiba → Iidabashi (Tōzai) → Ichigaya
Tōyōchō	≈20 min	Tōyōchō → Iidabashi → Ichigaya
Ryōgoku (Ōedo)	≈18 min	Ryōgoku → Iidabashi → Ichigaya
Monzen-Nakachō (Ōedo)	≈19 min	Monzen-Nakachō → Iidabashi → Ichigaya

Share-house Example in Monzen-Nakachō

Monzen-Nakachō Review

With the Tōzai and Ōedo Lines you can reach Ōtemachi in nine minutes and Roppongi in twenty—an unrivaled advantage. Groceries are covered by “Akafudadō” above the station and the 24-hour “Ōzeki Fukagawa,” while bar-hopping in the alley behind “Tomioka Hachiman Shrine” for yakitori at <Ōsakaya> or stew at is standard. On weekends jog along the Sumida River Terrace five minutes away and reset your mood with the goma-burning ritual at Fukagawa Fudō Temple. Drawbacks include heavy traffic and late-night truck noise on Eitai-dōri, plus older wooden rentals still command high prices. There are no large malls or multiplexes; for electronics or fashion you must head to LaLaport Toyosu or Ginza. The Fukagawa Library study room is handy, but winter sea winds make cycling feel colder. Still, downtown vibes and proximity to the city core leave me satisfied overall.

2-2. Kōrakuen / Kasuga Transfer Route (Marunouchi, Mita, Ōedo, Namboku Lines)

Station	To Ichigaya	Route
Kuramae (Ōedo)	≈19 min	Kuramae → Kasuga → Ichigaya

Share-house Example in Kuramae

Kuramae Review

The Asakusa and Ōedo Lines put Nihombashi eight minutes and Shinjuku 21 minutes away. Weekends start with a jog along the Sumida River Terrace, a latte at “KOFFEE MAMEYA Kakeru,” and a custom notebook at “Kakimori.” Evenings mean a craft beer at the hostel bar “Nui.” and leather gifts from “KONCENT.” Daily shopping is covered by “Life Shin-Okachimachi” and “Coco’s Nakayama Torigoe,” but there is no big supermarket or cinema, so electronics shopping is at Akihabara. “My Basket Kuramae Ekimae,” open till midnight, is a boon for singles, and the “Hinode-yu” bathhouse keeps downtown vibes alive. Downsides: café queues are long on weekends, and rents keep rising. Although safe at night, traffic noise on Asakusa-dōri is noticeable.

2-3. Bakuro-Yokoyama / Higashi-Nihombashi Transfer Route (Asakusa Line / Sōbu Rapid / Shinjuku Line)

Station	To Ichigaya	Route
Ningyōchō (Asakusa)	≈17 min	Ningyōchō → Higashi-Nihombashi → Ichigaya
Nihombashi (Asakusa)	≈19 min	Nihombashi → Higashi-Nihombashi → Ichigaya

Share-house Example in Ningyōchō

Ningyōchō Review

The Hibiya and Asakusa Lines take you to Ginza in seven minutes and offer direct trains to Haneda. Groceries are covered by “Akafudadō” and the 24-hour “Maruetsu Petit Nihonbashi Kakigara-chō,” with beef bowls from “Ningyōchō Imahan Deli” for lunch and a drink at the standing bar “Daikinboshi” for dinner. Weekends mean strolling “Amazake-yokochō,” taking taiyaki from “Yanagiya” and ningyō-yaki from “Shigemori Nagashindō” as gifts while walking to the Sumida River Terrace. On the downside, tourist queues are long on weekends, and many back-street eateries close around 10 p.m., limiting late-night dining. Rents keep rising, and even a one-room can exceed ¥100,000.

2-4. Nagatachō / Tameike-Sannō Transfer Route (Ginza & Hanzōmon → Namboku / Yūrakuchō)

Nagatachō (Hanzōmon, Namboku, Yūrakuchō Lines) and Tameike-Sannō (Ginza, Namboku Lines) are directly connected inside the ticket gates.
All stations outside the Yamanote Line that reach Ichigaya within 20 minutes with one transfer are listed below in order of shortest time.

Station	Line	To Ichigaya	Route	Remarks
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa	Hanzōmon	≈17 min	Kiyosumi-Shirakawa → Nagatachō (≈10 min) → Ichigaya (Yūrakuchō ≈4 min + transfer)	Cafés and galleries booming; great for brewery tours
Sumiyoshi	Hanzōmon	≈19–20 min	Sumiyoshi → Nagatachō (≈13 min) → Ichigaya (≈4 min + transfer)	Hanzōmon×Shinjuku Line hub; mix of offices and housing
Kinshichō	Hanzōmon	≈19 min	Kinshichō → Nagatachō (≈14 min) → Ichigaya (≈4 min + transfer)	Walkable to Tokyo Skytree; many malls

Share-house Example in Sumiyoshi

Sumiyoshi Review

The intersection of Hanzōmon and Shinjuku Lines gets you to Ōtemachi in nine minutes and Shinjuku in sixteen. Shopping is covered by “OK Store Sumiyoshi” and the 24-hour “Maruetsu Kikukawa.” Morning jogs in green “Sarue-Onshi Park” and weekend workouts at “Tipness Kiba,” eight minutes on foot, keep me active. A ten-minute bike ride to Kinshichō’s “ArcaKit” handles movies and Uniqlo, while “Fukagawa-meshi” at the long-established “Fukagawajuku” or a cheap drink at “Uozu Sakaba” are daily treats. Drawbacks: constant traffic and noise on Shin-Ōhashi-dōri, narrow bike lanes, few late-night diners, reliance on convenience stores after the last train, and flood-map risk. Still, rent and access give the area high overall satisfaction.

2-5. Yotsuya Transfer Route (Chūō Rapid Line)

Take the Chūō Rapid Line to Yotsuya, switch across the same platform to the Sōbu Local for one stop (≈2 min) to reach Ichigaya.
Stations outside the Yamanote Line that fit within 20 minutes are listed below (weekday midday timetable / NAVITIME).

Station (Chūō Rapid)	To Ichigaya	Route	Remarks
Nakano	≈10 min	Nakano → Yotsuya (Rapid 8 min) → Ichigaya (Local 2 min)	Large “Nakano Central Park” & Broadway
Kōenji	≈11 min	Kōenji → Yotsuya 9 min → Ichigaya	Culture hub of vintage shops & live houses
Asagaya	≈12 min	Asagaya → Yotsuya 10 min → Ichigaya	Pearl Center shopping arcade
Ogikubo	≈13 min	Ogikubo → Yotsuya 11 min → Ichigaya	Ramen hotspot; Marunouchi transfer
Nishi-Ogikubo	≈14 min	Nishi-Ogikubo → Yotsuya 12 min → Ichigaya	Quiet town with cafés & curios
Kichijōji	≈16 min	Kichijōji → Yotsuya 14 min → Ichigaya	井の頭 Park and malls combined
Mitaka	≈18 min	Mitaka → Yotsuya 16 min → Ichigaya	Ghibli Museum & Tamagawa Josui greenway
Musashi-Sakai	≈20 min	Musashi-Sakai → Yotsuya 18 min → Ichigaya	“Emio” station mall & university campuses

Share-house Example in Kichijōji

Kichijōji Review

The Chūō Rapid gets you to Shinjuku in 13 and the Sōbu Local to Ichigaya in 16. “Atre Kichijōji,” “Kichijōji PARCO,” and the 24-hour “Seijo Ishii” cover late shopping. Weekends mean boating in “Inokashira Park,” then galettes at “Café du Lièvre Usagi-kan.” Evenings call for a drink at “Harmonica Alley” stand bar , films at “Kichijōji Odeon,” and electronics at “Yodobashi Camera.” Crowds fill Sunroad arcade all day; the park fills with picnic mats on weekends. One-room rents hover around ¥110,000, and street-performer music lasts late, yet nature, culture and shopping make living quality high.

2-6. Ikebukuro Transfer Route (Saikyō Line / Fukutoshin Line)

Station	To Ichigaya	Route
Itabashi (Saikyō)	≈17 min	Itabashi → Ikebukuro → Ichigaya (Yūrakuchō)
Jūjō (Saikyō)	≈19 min	Jūjō → Ikebukuro → Ichigaya

Share-house Example in Itabashi

Itabashi Review

The Saikyō Line puts Ikebukuro five minutes and Ichigaya 17 minutes away. Shopping is covered by “Beans Itabashi” under the tracks and the 24-hour “My Basket Itabashi Station East,” with a drink at in “Itabashi-shuku Fudō-dōri Shopping Street” at night. Weekends mean strolling stone-lined Shakujii River or petting guinea pigs at “Itabashi Children's Zoo.” Rents are about ¥10,000 lower than neighbouring stations—bath/toilet-separated studios in the ¥70,000 range. Drawbacks: routine Saikyō Line delays and crush loads, narrow pavements on busy Route 17, few leisure facilities (movies in Akabane or Ikebukuro), mainly chain eateries with little late-night choice. “Maenohara Onsen Sayano-yu,” 15 min by bus, is great for sauna fans but the last bus is 10 p.m. The free “Itabashi Local History Museum” is a hidden gem.

2-7. Kudanshita Transfer Route (Hanzōmon / Tōzai → Toei Shinjuku Line)

Kudanshita Station connects the Hanzōmon, Tōzai and Shinjuku Lines inside one ticket barrier. Minimal walking keeps the total within 20 minutes to Ichigaya.

Station	To Ichigaya	Route	Remarks
Kinshichō	≈18 min	Kinshichō → Kudanshita → Ichigaya	Skytree walkable; many malls
Sumiyoshi	≈17 min	Sumiyoshi → Kudanshita → Ichigaya	Dual Hanzōmon & Shinjuku hub
Oshiage	≈19 min	Oshiage → Kudanshita → Ichigaya	Direct to Skytree Town
Monzen-Nakachō	≈18 min	Monzen-Nakachō → Kudanshita → Ichigaya	Fukagawa shrines nearby
Kiba	≈19 min	Kiba → Kudanshita → Ichigaya	Near Tokyo Metropolitan Kiba Park
Tōyōchō	≈20 min	Tōyōchō → Kudanshita → Ichigaya	Mix of offices and housing

Share-house Example in Oshiage

Oshiage Review

Four lines—Hanzōmon, Asakusa, Keisei and Tōbu—put Ōtemachi 15 min away and run straight to Narita. “Tokyo Solamachi” atop the station plus ¥100 shop “Seria” cover daily needs, while evening beers at “Tokyo Mizumachi”  are a treat. Weekends include “Sumida Aquarium” and Sumida Park; clear days show Mt. Fuji from the Skytree deck. Downsides: weekend tourist surges cause checkout jams at “Life Central Square Oshiage,” one-room rents often above ¥90,000, and rail plus Route 6 noise at night with cold river winds in winter. Even so, the concentration of work, home and play within ten minutes is hard to beat.

2-8. Hatchōbori Transfer Route (JR Keiyō → Shintomichō walk → Yūrakuchō Line)

Hatchōbori Station (JR Keiyō Line) links to Shintomichō Station (Yūrakuchō Line) via an underground corridor in about five minutes on foot. The three bayside stations on the Keiyō Line all just fit within 20 minutes to Ichigaya, making them hidden gems.

Station	To Ichigaya	Route	Remarks
Etchūjima	≈15 min	Etchūjima → Hatchōbori → (walk) Shintomichō → Ichigaya	Merchant Marine Uni campus & quiet canalside
Shiomi	≈17 min	Shiomi → Hatchōbori → Shintomichō → Ichigaya	Hotels line a new area; supermarket at station
Shin-Kiba	≈19 min	Shin-Kiba → Hatchōbori → Shintomichō → Ichigaya	Hub for Rinkai & Yūrakuchō Lines and Keiyō

Shin-Kiba Review

The Keiyō Line reaches Tokyo in eight minutes, the Yūrakuchō Line Ginza-itchōme in 11, and the Rinkai Line runs through to Shibuya in 20. Groceries and DIY goods are covered by “OK Shin-Kiba” and “Super Viva Home.” Weekends mean relaxing at “Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse” or BBQ in “Yumenoshima Park,” and I cycle across the “Tokyo Gate Bridge” daily in the sea breeze. The venue “Shin-Kiba 1st RING” hosts pro-wrestling and music. Downsides: trucks run all night, sea air rusts bikes, no 24-hour supermarkets, reliance on convenience stores after the last train, and strong winds halt the Keiyō Line, hiking taxi costs. Still, low rent and outdoor perks yield high satisfaction.

2-9. Suidōbashi Transfer Route (Mita Line → JR Chūō/Sōbu Local)

From the Itabashi side of the Mita Line, transfer at Suidōbashi to the JR Local. Even with platform changes included, the trip fits within 20 minutes.

Station	To Ichigaya	Route	Remarks
Nishi-Sugamo	≈13 min	Nishi-Sugamo → Suidōbashi → Ichigaya	Bright along Meiji-dōri even at night
Shin-Itabashi	≈15 min	Shin-Itabashi → Suidōbashi → Ichigaya	Itabashi-Kuritsu-yakusho-mae ≈17 min

Share-house Example in Shin-Itabashi

Shin-Itabashi Review

The Mita Line reaches Ōtemachi in 13 min and Ikebukuro in 10 min via Sugamo. “Life Itabashi” supermarket three minutes away and “Beans Itabashi” under the tracks handle shopping; “Inari-yu” public bath offers a soak on the way home. “Mirabelle” supermarket and the 24-hour “Lawson Store 100” suit home cooks. Weekends mean strolling the Shakujii River or visiting the guinea pigs at “Itabashi Children’s Zoo.” Drawbacks: constant traffic on Route 17, early shutter closures around 9 p.m., Saikyō Line detours when disrupted, and leisure facilities depend on Ikebukuro. Good value rent but nightlife is limited.

Summary

Within a 20-minute radius of Ichigaya you can cover areas north to Akabane-Iwabuchi and Ōji, south to Toyosu, east to Kinshichō and Nishi-Ōjima, and west to Ogikubo, Kichijōji and Mitaka. Areas beyond the Yamanote Line often offer lower rents and retain shopping streets and parks. Balance commuting time and rent to find your ideal “outer-ring base.”