What can you rent in Tokyo for $550 or Less a Month?
In this installment of the “what can you rent” series we feature apartments and share houses that you can rent for $550 (¥60,000) or much less. If you are looking for a long-term apartment (with a 2-year lease term), you... More
Latest
Area Guides
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
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
In Taito Ward you'll find traditional, old-city charm in neighborhoods like Yanaka, Iriya, Asakusa, and Kuramae and the major hub station of Ueno, where you can find a variety of shopping/dining/entertainment establishments.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Sumida Ward is known for being home to Tokyo Skytree and the crowds of tourists that visit the attraction. But it also contains many shitamachi ("low town") neighborhoods that preserve the look-and-feel of Show-era Japan. Here you will find relaxed and affordable stations that are within easy commuting distance of downtown business districts.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Koto Ward is a historically working-class industrial area of Tokyo where redevelopment projects on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay have created upscale, stylish commercial/residential neighborhoods on the waterfront.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Arakawa Ward is where you'll find many neighborhoods that still maintain the traditional city feel of Tokyo from the postwar era, providing residents with a calmer side of Tokyo that seem to move a bit slower than the busy downtown districts.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Although Adachi Ward is known for having the lowest average rent of the 23 wards of Tokyo, redevelopments around Kitasenju provide residents with plenty of modern city life conveniences that should place it on any apartment seeker's list of areas to consider.
Guides to Tokyo Residential Neighborhoods
Shinagawa Ward presents two very distinct but livable categories of residential neighborhoods. The waterfront properties around the business districts offer luxury apartments. In the center of the ward, you can find a more laid-back residential environment.
Sections
Rent
In this installment of the “what can you rent” series we feature apartments and share houses that you can rent for $550 (¥60,000) or much less. If you are looking for a long-term apartment (with a 2-year lease term), you... More
Rent
If your winter holiday plans don’t include a flight back home to see friends and family, you might be interested in celebrating the first day of 2020 by seeing the first sunrise of the year over Tokyo! A fairly common... More
Rent
In this post, we share a not-so-secret hack for getting a bargain on an apartment Japan. If you have a choice, December is probably the best time in the whole year to move. Below we go over the Top 3... More
Rent
In this installment in the “what can you buy” series, we take a look at what you can buy around Japan for about $146,000 (¥16,000,000) or less. To put this price point in perspective, the average sales price of a... More
Rent
On November 30th, the Sotetsu Railway and JR East started joint direct operation of train service, directly linking the Sotetsu Main line, which runs through Kanagawa prefecture, to central Tokyo for the first time. Until now, the Sotetsu Railway was... More
Rent
In this installment of the how to work in Japan series, we take a look at the flip side of researching average salaries in Japan, finding a job, and getting a work visa. No matter what country you work in or... More
Rent
The government and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) plan to bring an end to a rule that allows people living in Japan to lower their income tax by investing in overseas real estate. Under the current rule, you can lower... More
Rent
Have you ever felt discriminated against as a foreigner living in Japan? This is a question that certainly affects your quality of life and well-being in here. It’s also a major policy concern for Japan, as the country liberalizes its... More
