Connecting with Your Community in Japan Through Volunteer Work
If you have a valid visa to live in Japan, you’re considered a resident by the government. But psychologically, that shift in mindset might not happen so readily. Even for those who have lived in Japan for years, the act... More
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Area Guides
The charming city of Kyoto has a resident population of 1.5 million and perhaps exactly because of its historic and cultural treasures is the most popular destination for inbound tourists to Japan.
The Tokyo Bay Area offers great views of Tokyo across the waters of the bay. Luxury apartments in the area are an attractive option for families looking for clean, family-friendly neighborhoods, while nearby shopping centers add convenience and livability to the area.
Yokohama City is located in Kanagawa Prefecture, to the south of Tokyo. Yokohama Station is just 25 minutes from Tokyo Station, making it fairly easy to get between the two cities. The unique blend of commercial and entertainment developments along... More
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Where should you live in Tokyo? Read our guides to Tokyo residential neighborhoods and find the right one for you!
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Iidabashi is an upscale commercial and residential neighborhood located in Chiyoda Ward, just north of the Imperial Palace. It is a major station served by five train and subway lines, but its residential neighborhoods are pleasant and relaxed. Iidabashi's location near the sakura tree-lined Kanda River walking path and nearby Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens give the area a classy, tranquil atmosphere.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Located just north of Tokyo's central wards, Bunkyo Ward is literally the capital of literature and learning in Tokyo and home to many universities. Its residential neighborhoods are off-the-radar, relaxed, and very convenient for getting to downtown business districts. These include Otsuka, Hakusan, Hongo, Kasuga, and Nezu.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Shinjuku is the name of a ward, neighborhood, and not just one but numerous train stations in Tokyo. In this guide, we focus on Shinjuku's main residential neighborhoods from Okubo's Korea Town to street-wise Kabukicho north of the station to gentrified Shinjuku San-Chome east, then south to the high-end but relaxed areas near Shinjuku National Garden and Yoyogi, and west to Nishi Shinjuku, Tokyo's Skyscraper District.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Kita Ward is literally "North Ward," located on Tokyo's northern border with Saitama prefecture. Major residential neighborhoods in Kita, like Jujo, Akabane, and Oji are very convenient residential and transport hubs. Its many green spaces and lower than average cost-of-living make it quite family friendly. Overall Kita is known for being working class and traditional, but the opening of the Lycée français international de Tokyo (French international school) in Takinogawa has raised the international profile of Kita.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Denenchofu, located in Ota Ward, is known as Tokyo's "garden suburb" for its beautiful tree-lined streets, modeled on those of London. The architecture of Denenchofu is also unique in Tokyo because many of the single-family homes built here were inspired by neoclassical Western architecture. It has a reputation for being an enclave for the well-to-do, politicians, and celebrities of Japan, but its sophisticated and calm atmosphere also make it attractive for foreign residents who want these qualities in a residential neighborhood.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Aoyama is a popular entertainment and nightlife district in downtown Tokyo. It's home to a wide variety of shopping, dining, and high-end fashion. This trendy neighborhood is a popular place for fashion-forward individuals to explore, especially the many cafes packed into this area. Being so close to other stylish areas like Omotesando and Harajuku makes this a very popular area to live, while also being quite livable.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Katsushika Ward is where you'll find prime examples of traditional Tokyo neighborhoods seemingly untouched by the modernization that has become characteristic of downtown Tokyo.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
The sophisticated and cafe-laden neighborhood of Jiyugaoka in Meguro Ward remains one of Tokyo's most popular residential areas. Its proximity to a variety of city hubs (Shibuya, Shinagawa, Yokohama) is a plus for those who need to commute to downtown areas, but Jiyugaoka's European-inspired, pedestrian-friendly streets and stylish boutiques are what makes it unique as a residential neighborhood in Tokyo.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Futako-Tamagawa is located in Setagaya ward, in southwestern Tokyo on the banks of the Tama River. It has enjoyed a surge in popularity as a residential neighborhood in the last few years, especially since the opening of the Futako-Tamagawa Rise residential and commercial complex in 2015. There are many reasons why this area ranks highly as a residential neighborhood: proximity to natural areas near the Tama River, the urban conveniences of the Rise development, and easy access to central Tokyo.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Toshima Ward located in northern Tokyo has two faces: the modern, redevelopment-focused area around Ikebukuro and slower-paced neighborhoods like upscale residential Mejiro, old-school Sugamo and the beautiful landscaped gardens near Komagome. It is also home to many major universities and a sizable population of international students.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Sangenjaya is a well-known residential neighborhood in Setagaya Ward. It is a unique and vibrant area that offers great livability for those who want to be less than 10-min away from Shibuya. Multiple 24-hr supermarkets, an abundance of dining options, and excellent access to downtown Tokyo are what appeal to apartment seekers the most. The laid-back residential vibe is great for families, and the wide selection of bars and restaurants at your doorstep is a bonus for singles.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Ota Ward is the largest of the 23 wards of Tokyo, so it can be difficult to categorize the entire area as a single type of neighborhood. You'll find neighborhoods tailored to different needs across the ward: from the high-society neighborhood of Denenchofu to the relaxed, traditional vibes of Magome and commuter-friendly Kamata.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Home to the busiest train station in the world, Shinjuku Ward is a heavily developed urban area that could be considered to be a city unto itself. Within the boundaries of the ward are pockets of residential neighborhoods with many charms. These include: Nishi-Shinjuku, Yotsuya, Takadanobaba, and Ochiai.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Edogawa Ward offers many family-friendly residential neighborhoods between the business districts of Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture. Average rent is affordable while still being within acceptable commuting distance to central Tokyo.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Itabashi Ward is one of Tokyo's northern wards, bordering Saitama. It is unabashedly traditional, low key and family-friendly, with many lovely parks and river walks meandering through quiet residential neighborhoods. It offers the advantages of local Japanese living and proximity to green spaces, all within about a 30-min or less commuting distance of major stations like Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Sugamo.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Minato Ward is the center of international living in Tokyo. The high concentration of foreign company headquarters and embassies, plentiful western-style housing options, international schools, and many services and businesses geared to Westerners make it the go-to choice for most expat professionals and their families.
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Living
If you have a valid visa to live in Japan, you’re considered a resident by the government. But psychologically, that shift in mindset might not happen so readily. Even for those who have lived in Japan for years, the act... More
Living
In December 2019, the average listing price of a pre-owned apartment in the greater Tokyo region hit a new all-time high of ¥37,440,000 ($344,000), a year-on-year increase of 0.4% and up 1.3% compared to November. This price point also surpassed the 2019... More
Living
The Kanto and Koshin Meteorological Observatories released early warning information on the evening of January 26th about the possibility of heavy snowfall in the Kanto and Koshin regions in the next few days. Some parts of Saitama prefecture may see... More
Living
In this installment of the “what can you rent” series, we focus on Tokyo, including short-term options available now for $700 (¥75,000) a month or less. No one likes to pay high move-in costs, so the examples below all feature apartments... More
Living
In Part 1 of this series on the expected busiest stations and lines during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, we cover the first ten of about thirty Olympic venues in the greater Tokyo area. Organizers forecast that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and... More
Living
JR East and JR Tokai will begin inspecting passenger luggage at major shinkansen (bullet train) stations by July this year as part of anti-terrorism measures for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In coordination with the police and private security companies, JR... More
Living
The average price of a new apartment sold in the greater Tokyo area hit a 29-year high of ¥59,800,000 ($545,000) in 2019. This is according to the Real Estate Economic Institute’s recently released analysis of 2019 sales data for the... More
Living
If you’re looking into what the apartment hunting process in Japan entails, here’s our quick rundown of what to expect. Knowledge is half the battle, and you’ll want to be prepared since the battlefield of apartment hunting takes no prisoners.... More
