It’s the busy season and here’s where people are moving this month in Tokyo

January 27, 2022

January is the start of the busy moving season in Japan. In this post, we rank the most popular stations in Tokyo on Real Estate Japan. The ranking is based on the number of property views and actual number of inquiries people made for rental properties near those stations.

This month, stations around Shinjuku dominate the top part of the list, but a few stations a little further out also made the list.

Nishi Shinjuku Go Chome
Shinjuku
Sasazuka
Shin Okubo
Kinshicho

There was a seven-way tie for 6th place! Please scroll to the bottom to see the full list and examples of properties currently available nearby.

#1 Nishi Shinjuku Go Chome

Nishi means “west” and Nishi Shinjuku indeed lies just west of central Shinjuku. Nishi Shinjuku is known for its high concentration of skyscrapers and the iconic twin Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings.

You can get a great cup of coffee and really friendly service at Counterpart Coffee Gallery near Nishi Shinjuku Go Chome Station . Photo: Jeanie for Real Estate Japan

Nishi Shinjuku is a very popular residential area because it is very central and well-connected to major train lines. There are many major stations nearby, including the mother of all hub stations — JR Shinjuku — which is just a 20-minute walk (or a 5-min train ride) away. The station is also well connected by bus lines to Shibuya, Nakano, and Eifukucho.

Nishi Shinjuku Go Chome Station itself offers plenty of conveniences, including a conbini (covenience store), Japanese bento shop, drug store, and and curry restaurant, all within a 5-min radius of the station.

Toho Gakuen Film Techniques Training College’s campus is also right by the station. Shinjuku is also home to many language schools, which are very accessible from Nishi Shinjuku. For example, the JCLI Japanese Language School is 14-min away by bus or 21-min on foot (about 1.7-km).

From Nishi Shinjuku, it is about a 20 minute walk to the Hatsudai station area There is a very cute shopping street down there that has a bit of an older-Japan feel and a lot of restaurants. At Hatsudai station there is also the Tokyo Opera City building complex, which hosts the New National Theater as well as a lot of restaurants on the upper floors. It is also about a 20-minute walk to Yoyogi.

Being right on the Oedo line means you can shoot directly to popular stations like Roppongi (which is a direct 13-min train ride away). Other major stops on the Oedo line include Iidabashi, Kasuga, and Ryogoku.

You can also easily walk to JR Shinjuku Station, which gives you access to seven different rail lines and infinite shopping, dining, and entertainment options. From an in-depth guide to Shinjuku, please see: Shinjuku Area Guide

For a local’s perspective, please see this post (Nishi Shinjuku Go Chome: Where I live in Tokyo), written by a local resident.

Apartments for rent in Nishi Shinjuku Go Chome

Here’s a good example of what is available now (starting February 1, 2022) for long-term rental near Nishi Shinjuku Go Chome. Total monthly cost for this 1R apartment is ¥69,000, no deposit, no key money, no guarantor fee required. Please click on the photo for the full listing and to inquire directly to the agent. Photo: Aonissin

Here is a furnished private room for rent in a share house in Nishi Shinjuku. This is a good option if you don’t want to sign a long-term lease. Total monthly cost is ¥49,000, no key money, no agency fee, no guarantor fee. Please click on the photo for the full listing and to inquire directly to the agent. Image: KIMI Information Center

Click here to see all Apartments for rent in Nishi Shinjuku Go Chome

#2 Shinjuku

Shinjuku is a city unto itself within the metropolis of Tokyo. The crowds may not be your cup of tea, but it is hard to beat Shinjuku for its sheer convenience and accessibility.

For an in-depth guide, please see our Shinjuku Area Guide.

There are many expensive neighborhoods near Shinjuku and luxury rental apartments in high-end developments abound, but there are also many great values to be had. Here is a good example:

Well-appointed, fully furnished apartment for rent in a great location 15-min walk from Shinjuku Station. If you start your lease this month (January 2022) Total Monthly Cost is only ¥65,000/month. No deposit, no key money, no agency fee. WiFi included in rent. Please click on the photo for the full listing and to inquire directly to the agent. Image: Matsuri Technologies

Click here to see all Apartments for rent in Shinjuku

#3 Sasazuka

Sasazuka is a laid back but very conveniently located neighborhood in Shibuya Ward that is just a 5-min direct ride to Shinjuku Station on the Keio line. It is also about a 15-minute ride to Shibuya and about 30-minutes across town to Tokyo Station.

Top floor (15th floor) apartment for rent, 6-min walk from Sasazuka Station. Available late January 2022 through the GaijinPot Housing Service. Total monthly rent ¥118,592, no key money. Please click on the photo for the full listing and to inquire to the GaijinPot Housing Service. Please note that this apartment is unfurnished (photos show the apartment with staged furniture). Image: LINC Inc.

Click here to see all Apartments for rent in Sasazuka

#4 Shin Okubo

Shin Okubo is renowned as Tokyo’s Korea Town. This is a very popular and trendy tourist and residential area and offers an international vibe close to Shinjuku. An added benefit of this diverse environment is the selection of import supermarkets.

For an in-depth guide, please see our Shin Okubo Area Guide

Because of its convenient location and proximity to Shinjuku, there are many high-priced apartments in this neighborhood, but it’s also possible to find good value properties here.

Brand new (2021) 1DK apartment for rent near Okubo (JR Chuo-Sobu line) and Shin Okubo Station (JR Yamanote line). ¥222,000/month, no key money. The agent is currently running a one month free rent campaign. Please click on the photo for details and to inquire directly to the agent. Image: Housecom

Here is an example of a more affordable apartment in Shin Okubo. This is a 22-sqm 1K apartment, 5-min walk from Shin Okubo Station. Total monthly cost ¥84,000. Please click on the photo for the full listing and to inquire directly to the agent. Image: Re/Max Amistad

Click here to see all Apartments for rent in Shin Okubo

#5 Kinshicho

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 entertainment in the area results in many of Sumida Ward’s young adults choosing to spend their free time in the Kinshicho area. For those who are keen on living right in the thick of urban city living in Tokyo, the Kinshicho area offers a lot of the same downtown conveniences as other larger stations (Ikebukuro, Ueno, Takadanobaba), but in the eastern edge of the 23 wards of Tokyo.