Located on the northwestern edge of the Greater Tokyo Area, Kiyose is a small city, best known for its annual sunflower festival. And though there are seemingly not many other attractions, it has a rich history which goes back to 20 thousand years BC, when it was first settled. 

"Kiyose Sunflower Festival 2013" by Takahiro Hayashi is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

In this article, we will cover all the major things we love about Kiyose, as well as useful information for foreigners looking for a new home near Tokyo. 

Things To Do In Kiyose

It would only be proper to start this area guide with the Kiyose Sunflower Festival, which built an impressive reputation throughout the country. The festival is organized at the end of the summer, around a 24,000 square meter field packed with thousands of sunflowers. Besides marveling at the sunflowers, visitors can also join one of the events and purchase fresh vegetables at on-site booths. 

Kiyose residents take great pride in their vast green areas, and the city has many parks where you can enjoy the sun, hike or have a picnic. Kiyose Kanayama Ryokuchi Park and Kiyose Seseragi Park are both excellent options to check out.

"Kiyose Bon Odori 2010" by Tokyo Times is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

Besides its nature, Kiyose is also known for its rich history. You will see many historical houses and shrines as you walk through its streets. The star of them all is Enpukiji Temple, packed with gorgeous decorations, including a nio guardian statue and a stone entrance engraved with calligraphy. 

Fujizuka Mound is also quite an interesting sight. This 9-meter replica of Mt.Fuji was erected in the Edo period, as an alternative to cultists who couldn’t make the pilgrimage to Mt.Fuji.

Finally, you can learn more about the city’s history and join some popular events in the Kiyose City Folk Museum, known for its exhibits of hand-weaved folk clothing. 

Living In Kiyose - What Is it Like?

"Kiyose" by Andrew Buckingham is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

Kiyose doesn’t make it to most tourists’ itineraries, and as such, still maintains an authentic Japanese atmosphere. Some foreigners did find their home there though, which can be seen in a wide array of cuisines represented in their restaurants, from Egyptian and Italian, to Indian and Chinese. Of course, there are also many traditional Japanese shops and eateries for you to explore. Foodies will also enjoy the fact that the city is still very active in agriculture, and you can shop for fresh local goods every day. 

If you wonder about the rent prices in Kiyose, it’s important to say they vary quite a lot. There are both budget and high-end options available, and the price for a 20 square meter apartment ranges from ¥50,000 ($450) to ¥100,000 ($900.)

Wrapping Up 

Kiyose is a lovely option for foreigners who want to enjoy an authentic Japanese lifestyle. There is just enough nature, culture, and heritage sights to keep you occupied on weekends, while the vast array of shops and restaurants give you a lot of variety to choose from. Finally, its vicinity to central Tokyo makes it a fantastic choice if you plan to work in the city, yet want your home to be a bit outside city limits, for a more tranquil, family-friendly life. 

Sources: TripHobo, TripAdvisor, Japan Travel, Real Estate Japan, Go Tokyo

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