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Japan’s expensive, mandatory shaken car inspections: My experience

I bought a car last summer and recently brought it in for “shaken,” (車検) the motor vehicle inspection required by the Japanese government every two to three years. Prior to buying a car I heard that Japanese people don’t often... More

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How Employment and Consumer Rules Will Change in Japan Starting April 1st

Kansai New Apartment Sales Continue Strong Showing, as Supply Jumps in Feb

Are you thinking of moving outside Tokyo and if so, where? — Survey asks Tokyo residents

Land prices in Japan fall for the first time in six years, pummelled by COVID effect

Top 5 Places Where Foreigners Are Renting Apartments in Tokyo: March 2021 Edition

2020 Japan National Seismic Map – Check the probability of an earthquake occurring where you live

Area Guides

Saitama Prefecture GuideSaitama Prefecture Guide

The prefecture just north of Tokyo. Saitama itself is large, covering a massive area of Eastern Tokyo. The areas closest to Tokyo are popular as bedroom communities for those commuting into Tokyo for work. These areas tend to have rent... More

Akihabara Area GuideAkihabara Area Guide

This famous neighborhood is jam-packed with stores displaying anime and video game goods, but you don't have to be an anime fan to live in Akihabara. Located on the northeastern edge of Chiyoda Ward, Akihabara Station is a transportation hub that offers great access to the rest of Tokyo through a variety of train and subway lines. Those who enjoy a lively Tokyo city life experience will likely feel at home in this neighborhood.

Akabane Area GuideAkabane Area Guide

Akabane is a neighborhood in Kita Ward, towards the northern edge of the 23 wards of Tokyo. Bordered by Saitama Prefecture to the north, the station is traversed by many commuters coming in from Saitama Prefecture. Until recently, Akabane was infamous for its narrow alleys, late-night izakayas, and general seediness. Redevelopment and modernization in the area has transformed most of it to a livable, convenient neighborhood.

Okubo Area GuideOkubo Area Guide

Okubo is a neighborhood just north of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. It provides residents with very quick direct access to Shinjuku, while also being just far enough away from the excitement of downtown. This balance between convenience and residential livability is a great feature of the neighborhood. In addition, for those who enjoy authentic ethnic cuisine, the international population in Okubo own and operate different restaurants and shops in the area. It's a unique, charming neighborhood for those seeking something close to Shinjuku!

Kameari Area GuideKameari Area Guide

Kameari is a residential neighborhood in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. What it lacks in name recognition it makes up for in charm and convenience. This traditionally working-class area of Tokyo retains much of the old-school look and feel of bygone Tokyo, and new modern shopping malls have injected style and fashion back into the area.

Tokyo Station Area GuideTokyo Station Area Guide

Contents Location Key Stats Orientation Around the Station Livability Useful Info at a Glance Tokyo Station Apartments Location Tokyo Station is found just east of the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. There’s almost no comparison to this centrally located,... More

Shin-Okubo Area GuideShin-Okubo Area Guide

Shin-Okubo is renowned as Tokyo's Koreatown. This popular and trendy area offers an international vibe close to Shinjuku. An added benefit of this diverse environment is the selection of import supermarkets! While the streets around the station tend to be quite lively, even well into the night, it is possible to find calmer parts of the neighborhood.

Toranomon Hills Area GuideToranomon Hills Area Guide

Contents Location Key Stats Orientation Around the Station Livability Useful Info at a Glance Toranomon Hills Apartments Location Toranomon Hills Station can be found in the northern section of central Minato Ward. The Toranomon district is a primarily business district,... More

Jujo Area GuideJujo Area Guide

Jujo is a neighborhood in Kita Ward, Tokyo. It's located just north of the major transportation hub of Ikebukuro, making it a convenient area for commuters seeking options for quick and easy transportation into downtown Tokyo. Ease of transportation isn't the only convenience provided by this neighborhood, nearby Jujo Ginza is a local shopping street with a variety of shops, making picking up daily necessities easy.

Kachidoki Area GuideKachidoki Area Guide

Kachidoki is a newer addition to Tokyo's list of residential neighborhoods. Located in Tokyo Bay, residents enjoy a mix of modern conveniences (shopping malls, high-rise apartment complexes, beautiful waterfront parks) close to Tokyo's commercial districts. As the area becomes more developed, an increasing number of families are moving to the area because of the calm and family-friendly environment!

Hatagaya Area GuideHatagaya Area Guide

Hatagaya is a calm and livable neighborhood located on the Keio New Line just west of downtown Shinjuku. This convenient location makes it a great option for commuters, and the distance away from the crowds of downtown Shinjuku gives the area a more relaxed feeling.

Yutenji Area GuideYutenji Area Guide

Yutenji is a residential neighborhood found close to central Meguro Ward, Tokyo. It has a reputation as a very livable neighborhood that has easy access to some of Tokyo's most famous and stylish areas like Daikanyama and downtown Shibuya. What Yutenji might lack in terms of nightlife it more than makes up for in providing a calm and quiet environment.

Sangubashi Area GuideSangubashi Area Guide

Sangubashi is a quiet residential neighborhood located on the outskirts of Yoyogi Park. This gives residents a huge backyard of sorts for picnics, gatherings, and exercise. On top of this, Sangubashi Station is connected to Shinjuku via the Odakyu Line, making commutes into downtown Tokyo very easy and quick. Apartment seekers looking for a convenient residential neighborhood close to Shinjuku should definitely give Sangubashi consideration!

Kodaira Area GuideKodaira Area Guide

Kodaira City is a residential neighborhood located in west Tokyo on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. Its location in the suburbs of Tokyo offers a very quiet and calm environment which is very popular with families. Plenty of space and few crowds make living more comfortable, and with only a roughly 30 minute train ride to Shinjuku, this might be a great balance for those looking for a local vibe in Tokyo.

Ikejiriohashi Area GuideIkejiriohashi Area Guide

Ikejiriohashi resides where three different neighborhoods collide: Ikejiri, Ohashi, and Higashiyama. It straddles the border of Setagaya Ward and Meguro Ward, creating an area that has a very livable urban feel. Plenty of restaurants and bars in the area for exploring a vibrant nightlife, while wide sidewalks along the main roads and plenty of supermarkets for daily necessities make it easy to live in.

Nogizaka Area GuideNogizaka Area Guide

Nogizaka is a high-class residential neighborhood located in central Minato Ward, Tokyo. Within walking distance from Nogizaka you can get to Aoyama, Omotesando, Akasaka, or Roppongi. This is a terrific convenience for those who love the idea of having a wide variety of destinations close to home! Great for being able to explore different neighborhoods of Tokyo on your feet!

Mita Area GuideMita Area Guide

Contents Location Key Stats Livability Mita Apartments Location You’ll find the neighborhood of Mita located quite centrally in Minato Ward, Tokyo. Thanks to this geographical position, it actually offers a nice mid-point between a few different business/commercial districts around Tokyo... More

Nakai Area GuideNakai Area Guide

Nakai is a cozy and quiet residential neighborhood in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. This little gem of a neighborhood gives residents fantastic transportation access to business districts. It's also much more relaxed compared to the downtown glitz and glamor of Shinjuku.

Sendagi Area GuideSendagi Area Guide

Sendagi is a residential neighborhood found in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. A great choice for those looking for a little quiet tucked away in the dense Tokyo cityscape. In fact, Sendagi and its surrounding neighborhoods are a popular destination for those who want to take a leisurely stroll through the calmer, traditional side of Tokyo. Thanks to its nearby shrines and old-school, local shopping streets, there is a lot of nostalgic appeal in this neighborhood that also translates to a unique livability that could be your cup of tea.

Kinshicho Area GuideKinshicho Area Guide

Contents Location Key Stats Livability Kinshicho Apartments Location Kinshicho is an entertainment district in Sumida Ward, Tokyo. It’s considered Sumida Ward’s equivalent to Ikebukuro – a bustling urban center, where you’ll find a variety of shopping malls. The shopping and... More

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Housing Service Blog

Japan’s expensive, mandatory shaken car inspections: My experienceJapan’s expensive, mandatory shaken car inspections: My experience

I bought a car last summer and recently brought it in for “shaken,” (車検) the motor vehicle inspection required by the Japanese government every two to three years. Prior to buying a car I heard that Japanese people don’t often... More

Housing Service Blog

How Employment and Consumer Rules Will Change in Japan Starting April 1stHow Employment and Consumer Rules Will Change in Japan Starting April 1st

Starting April 1st, with the start of the new fiscal and legislative year, a number of new laws and regulations will come into effect that will impact employment and consumer rules for people throughout Japan. Below we summarize the key... More

Housing Service Blog

Kansai New Apartment Sales Continue Strong Showing, as Supply Jumps in FebKansai New Apartment Sales Continue Strong Showing, as Supply Jumps in Feb

Sales prices of newly constructed apartments in the Kansai region, which includes Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, averaged ¥39,540,000 ($361,000 USD) in February, a year-on-year increase of 17.3%. The supply of properties released by developers in Kansai also jumped last month... More

Housing Service Blog

Are you thinking of moving outside Tokyo and if so, where? — Survey asks Tokyo residentsAre you thinking of moving outside Tokyo and if so, where? — Survey asks Tokyo residents

A survey conducted by Recruit, a Japanese human resources company, recently asked over 10,000 Tokyo residents whether they were considering moving outside of Tokyo amidst the COVID pandemic and if so, where. The survey was conducted from January 29th to... More

Housing Service Blog

Land prices in Japan fall for the first time in six years, pummelled by COVID effectLand prices in Japan fall for the first time in six years, pummelled by COVID effect

Nationwide official land prices for commercial, industrial, and residential land, assessed as of January 1, 2021, fell for the first time in six years. The COVID-19 impact hit all three of Japan’s major metropolitan areas, as average land values across... More

Housing Service Blog

Top 5 Places Where Foreigners Are Renting Apartments in Tokyo: March 2021 EditionTop 5 Places Where Foreigners Are Renting Apartments in Tokyo: March 2021 Edition

In this post, we present the Top 5 most popular stations for people searching for properties to rent on realestate.co.jp in March 2021. The ranking below is based on an analysis of property listings in the Tokyo 23 Wards that people viewed and... More

Housing Service Blog

2020 Japan National Seismic Map – Check the probability of an earthquake occurring where you live2020 Japan National Seismic Map – Check the probability of an earthquake occurring where you live

Japan’s Earthquake Research Committee has released the 2020 seismic hazard map for the country, which shows the probabilities of an earthquake measuring at least a lower six, for geographic points throughout Japan. A “lower six” is the third-highest level on... More

Housing Service Blog

How much does it cost to buy a home in Tokyo? March 2021 UpdateHow much does it cost to buy a home in Tokyo? March 2021 Update

Below we give a 2021 first quarter update on the market for newly constructed apartments in Tokyo, based on February 2021 actual sales prices. For the price information on single-family homes, please see this article: How much does it cost... More

Housing Service Blog

What can you buy in Japan for $110,000 or less?What can you buy in Japan for $110,000 or less?

In this installment of the “what can you buy” series, by popular request, we take a look at what you can buy around Japan at the below average price point of ¥12,000,000 ($110,000 USD) or much less. To put this... More

Housing Service Blog

Best places to live in Kansai – 2021 SurveyBest places to live in Kansai – 2021 Survey

These neighborhoods were chosen as the best three places to live in the Kansai area, based on a recent survey of locals, conducted by SUUMO, a Japanese real estate listing site. Kansai is the region in western Japan that includes... More