Den-en-chōfu


Den-en-chōfu is a district in Ōta Ward in southern Tokyo. It lies along the Tama River, the natural border between Tokyo and Kawasaki, Kanagawa. It is served by Den-en-chōfu Station on the Tōkyū Tōyoko and Meguro lines. Den-en-chōfu includes many detached suburban homes with a variety of styles, including Japanese neo-classical, Edwardian villas, Swiss cottages and modern architectural designs.

History

Den-en-chōfu was built based on the "Garden City" idea originally developed by the British city planner Ebenezer Howard. It is one of the most famous and exclusive neighborhoods where many business executives and celebrities reside. Being 10 km away from the center of Tokyo, the area contains natural parks. The area has its own regulations for construction in order to preserve the town feel to the area. The residences are fairly big compared to normal housing in other areas in Japan, and the district is often compared to Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
Den-en-chōfu was planned as a garden suburb of Tokyo. In the early 1900s, financier Eiichi Shibusawa bought, named and developed the area by emulating the garden suburbs that were growing in metropolitan areas around the world, particularly those in Greater London. Originally, Den-en-chōfu was developed by the Garden City Company.
Although the area was developing at an adequate pace, it was the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923 that guaranteed his success. Central Tokyo was leveled in the earthquake, but Den-en-chōfu was virtually untouched; in the aftermath, there was an exodus of people from the central city to the suburbs.

Modern times

Den-en-chōfu's success has influenced neighboring areas along Tōkyū railway lines in western Meguro, including the Yakumo, Kakinokizaka, Nakane, Okusawa and Jiyūgaoka neighbourhoods.
Den-en-chōfu is known as a very expensive area, with houses that are large by Tokyo standards.

Education

Ward operates the public elementary and junior high schools in Den-en-chōfu; the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education operates Den-en-chōfu High School.

Residents

Well-known residents of the area include: