Shibuya Monthly Rental Apartments: What’s Trending With Apartment Hunters in Tokyo

In this new series, we drill down on what’s trending with people looking to rent an apartment in Tokyo. In January, which is the start of the busy season for moving in Japan, users on Real Estate Japan looked at millions of apartment listing page views. But there were a few clear popular stations.

January Top Five

The ranking below is based on an analysis of the properties people viewed and inquired on. Click on the station name for a more a detailed area guide or more information on apartments near the station.

  1. Shibuya
    1. Shibuya is one of city’s busiest train stations and an iconic Tokyo fashion and nightlife destination. Packed with people at any time of the day.
  2. Ebisu
    1. A foodie destination. Popular with high-end expats. Very international.
  3. Ikebukuro
    1. A major entertainment and shopping district anchoring northwestern Tokyo. One of the city’s main transportation hubs and the second busiest train station in the world.
  4. Nishi Shinjuku Go-chome
    1. Not exciting but very convenient. Nishi Shinjuku Go-Chome is a station on the Toei Oedo metro line in Nishi (West) Shinjuku. It is centrally located just west of Shinjuku Chuo (Central) Park and the Nishi Shinjuku skyscraper district. It’s also just one stop from Shinjuku Station.
  5. Hatsudai
    1. Very convenient. Located station in Shibuya Ward, one stop from Shinjuku. Great for those who want or need to be on the Keio New Line.

What can you rent in Shibuya for your budget?

Shibuya is one Tokyo’s major hub stations and one of the city’s best entertainment and shopping destinations. For these reasons, it’s not inexpensive to live in Shibuya!

On Real Estate Japan, you can find listings for regular long-term apartments (with a lease term of two years) and short-term apartments or monthly rental apartments. In January, we saw strong interest from users searching for both types of apartments.

Below, we drill down on what’s available and what people are searching for at various price points when browsing Shibuya monthly rentals.

Shibuya Monthly Rentals

If you are in Tokyo on short-term work assignment, taking an extended vacation, or do not want to commit to a standard two-year lease,  you may want to consider a Tokyo monthly rental, rather than a hotel. This is because the average daily cost will tend to be lower than for a comparably sized hotel room. Also, with a monthly rental, you will have your own kitchenette, which can be a plus, depending on your eating habits.

Monthly rentals, in general, do not charge key money or an agency fee, but some do charge a deposit. They also do not require a guarantor. Be sure to check the details on the property detail page so you know what you’ll actually be paying for.

The inventory on Real Estate Japan is always changing because agents continuously upload properties on our site. However, on average, for a monthly rental near Shibuya you should expect to pay about ¥150,000 ($1,350) for a furnished private apartment, with WiFi included. Please note that the owners or property managers of some monthly rentals charge extra for utilities and linens. Some properties also charge a cleaning fee when you move out.

Budget short-term Shibuya apartments

Budget short-term rentals in Shibuya average about ¥70,000 per month. At this price point, you are mostly likely to find a private room in a guest house, with shared kitchen and bathroom, and WiFi included. In some cases, you will also have to pay a deposit. Please check for details on the property detail page so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Private room for rent in guest house - Shibuya
Example of a budget private room for rent in a guest house near Shibuya. Please click on the photo to see the full listing and to contact the agent directly.

¥100,000 to ¥150,000 

This is a popular price range for people searching for short-term Shibuya apartments, and in fact you can find some nicely renovated rooms in this budget range. But it’s good to know that it’s below the average market price, so pickings can be limited. If you find a place you’re interested in, you should also inquire as soon as you nail down your travel schedule. This is because rental applications are screened on a first-come-first-served basis.

This apartment near Shibuya is available for both short-term (monthly) and long-term rental. The agent is currently listing this property for ¥141,000 per month. Room sharing (up to two people) is allowed, with a 50% discount on first month’s rent with a minimum 5-month contract. Please click on the photo for the full listing and to inquire directly to the agent.

¥150,000 to ¥200,000

In this price range you will find many more short-term apartment options near Shibuya because the market average is about ¥150,000 per month.

Example of what’s available in the ¥150,000 to ¥200,000 price range. This is a clean, bright apartment in a great location, 6-min walk from Shibuya Station. Utilities and pocket WiFi is included. Total monthly cost is ¥175,000, negotiable. This unit will be available from April 16, 2020. Please click on the photo for the full listing and to inquire directly to the agent.

¥200,000 to ¥300,000

If your budget allows you to look in the ¥200,000 to ¥250,000 price range, you can find many beautifully renovated short-term rentals in Shibuya. Properties in this price range tend to be newer properties or properties that have been recently renovated, and in many cases will require a deposit and some will charge an agency fee.

Example of a Shibuya monthly rental in the ¥200,000 to ¥300,000 price range. This total monthly cost for this apartment is ¥235,000, negotiable. There is a deposit and small agency fee. Room sharing (up to two people is ok). Excellent neighborhood (Dogenzaka), 8-min walk from Shibuya Station. Please click on the photo to see the full listing and to inquire directly to the agent.

¥300,000 and above

In this price range, you will have access to very nicely renovated, spacious (30-sqm to 45-sqm) short-term rentals in Shibuya. Serviced apartments are also in this price range. Serviced apartments are private apartments that include many hotel amenities, for example, front-desk service and regular room cleaning and linen service.

Spacious serviced apartment for rent in the Daikanyama neighborhood, near Shibuya. Full kitchen, high-end finishes. Total monthly cost is ¥450,000. Please click on the photo for the full listing and to inquire directly to the agent.

Dive Deeper

Shibuya Sky, photo by Scott Kouchi

10 Incredible Views from Shibuya Sky on opening day, November 1, 2019. Check out the amazing views from Shibuya Scramble Square building.


Lead photo: Shibuya scramble via iStock


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