Best neighborhoods for students
- Bunkyo (文京区) 94/100
- Toshima (豊島区) 90/100
- Shinjuku (新宿区) 96/100
- Nakano (中野区) 88/100
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LifeSkills city guide
Tokyo
Japan
Capital of Japan and one of the largest metropolises in the world, Tokyo combines record-breaking security, order and impeccable services with an unparalleled cultural, gastronomic and nightlife scene. It is a huge university hub (University of Tokyo, Waseda, Keio) and a global economic engine. The train and subway network is the best in the world. The cost of living is high - especially the rent in the center and the initial costs of getting a house (key money, deposit, guarantor) - but the neighborhoods are infinite and very different from each other. Knowing a little Japanese helps a lot in daily life and bureaucracy.
Safety 90/100
Affordability 40/100
Student-friendly 88/100
Nightlife 92/100
Transport 96/100
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
Interactive map
Wards di Tokyo
Official administrative boundaries: Wards. Select an area to view the available data.
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Boundary source: Ministero del Territorio del Giappone (MLIT) — Administrative Area Data 2025 (CC BY 4.0). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Compare
Neighborhood ranking
Best neighborhoods for nightlife
- Shinjuku (新宿区) 96/100
- Shibuya (渋谷区) 94/100
- Minato (港区) 88/100
- Toshima (豊島区) 90/100
Best neighborhoods for quiet living
- Bunkyo (文京区) 94/100
- Setagaya (世田谷区) 88/100
- Kita (北区) 82/100
- Nakano (中野区) 88/100
Best neighborhoods for low rent
- Kita (北区) 58,000 JPY
- Nakano (中野区) 65,000 JPY
- Setagaya (世田谷区) 68,000 JPY
- Toshima (豊島区) 68,000 JPY
Best neighborhoods for safety
- Bunkyo (文京区) 94/100
- Minato (港区) 88/100
- Setagaya (世田谷区) 88/100
- Shibuya (渋谷区) 94/100
Neighborhood cards
Where to live in Tokyo
Bunkyo (文京区)
Student hubBunkyo (文京区): The academic and quiet district: the University of Tokyo (Todai), many other universities, safe and green residential neighborhoods. Ideal for studying
- Room
- 75,000 JPY
- Studio
- 120,000 JPY
- Apartment
- 200,000 JPY
Safety 92 Student-friendly 94 Nightlife 48 Commute 90
Pros
- student-friendly: 94/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 75,000 JPY.
- Useful for University of Tokyo (Hongo).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Quiet score is 84/100; compare activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Toshima (豊島区)
Student hubToshima (豊島区): The great hub of Ikebukuro, young and student: Rikkyo University, shopping, anime (Otome Road) and more accessible rents. Central and lively
- Room
- 68,000 JPY
- Studio
- 105,000 JPY
- Apartment
- 175,000 JPY
Safety 80 Student-friendly 90 Nightlife 80 Commute 94
Pros
- transport: 94/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 68,000 JPY.
- Useful for Rikkyo University (Ikebukuro).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Shinjuku (新宿区)
NightlifeShinjuku (新宿区): The big hub of the city: the busiest station in the world, the skyscrapers, Kabukicho and the nightlife, Waseda University. Very central and frenetic
- Room
- 80,000 JPY
- Studio
- 130,000 JPY
- Apartment
- 220,000 JPY
Safety 82 Student-friendly 88 Nightlife 96 Commute 98
Pros
- transport: 98/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 80,000 JPY.
- Useful for Waseda University (早稲田).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Nakano (中野区)
BalancedNakano (中野区): Lively and easy-going west of Shinjuku: Nakano Broadway (otaku paradise), izakaya, young and student atmosphere. Central but with more accessible rents
- Room
- 65,000 JPY
- Studio
- 100,000 JPY
- Apartment
- 165,000 JPY
Safety 84 Student-friendly 88 Nightlife 74 Commute 90
Pros
- transport: 90/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 65,000 JPY.
- Useful for Meiji University (Nakano).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Study
Major universities in Tokyo
University of Tokyo (東京大学)
Public, the most prestigious in Japan (~28,000 students)
RightEngineeringMedicineScienceEconomyLetters
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Bunkyo (文京区)5-15 min (Hongo campus)
- Kita (北区)15-25 min
- Shibuya (渋谷区)20-30 min (Komaba campus)
Waseda University (早稲田大学)
Elite private (~40,000 students, very international)
Political science and economicsLettersScience and engineeringTradeInternational Liberal Studies
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Shinjuku (新宿区)5-15 min (Waseda, Takadanobaba)
- Toshima (豊島区)10-20 min
- Nakano (中野区)15-25 min
Keio University (慶應義塾大学)
Elite private school, the oldest in Japan (~34,000 students)
EconomyRightMedicineBusinessScience and technology
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Minato (港区)5-15 min (Mita campus)
- Shibuya (渋谷区)15-25 min
- Setagaya (世田谷区)20-30 min
Sophia University (上智大学)
Private International (Jesuit; many courses in English, strong foreign community)
International Liberal ArtsRightEconomyForeign languagesGlobal Sciences
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Shinjuku (新宿区)10-20 min (Yotsuya)
- Minato (港区)10-20 min
- Bunkyo (文京区)15-25 min
Rikkyo University (立教大学)
Private (~20,000 students; strong in social sciences and humanities)
EconomySociologyLettersBusinessScience
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Toshima (豊島区)5-10 min (Ikebukuro)
- Shinjuku (新宿区)10-20 min
- Nakano (中野区)15-25 min
Rent analysis
Average rent by neighborhood
Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.
| Neighborhood cards | Room | Studio | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku (新宿区) | 80,000 JPY | 130,000 JPY | 220,000 JPY |
| Shibuya (渋谷区) | 88,000 JPY | 145,000 JPY | 250,000 JPY |
| Minato (港区) | 90,000 JPY | 150,000 JPY | 260,000 JPY |
| Bunkyo (文京区) | 75,000 JPY | 120,000 JPY | 200,000 JPY |
| Setagaya (世田谷区) | 68,000 JPY | 105,000 JPY | 180,000 JPY |
| Nakano (中野区) | 65,000 JPY | 100,000 JPY | 165,000 JPY |
| Toshima (豊島区) | 68,000 JPY | 105,000 JPY | 175,000 JPY |
| Kita (北区) | 58,000 JPY | 88,000 JPY | 145,000 JPY |
Cheapest: Kita (北区), Nakano (中野区), Setagaya (世田谷区)
Mid-range: Setagaya (世田谷区), Toshima (豊島区), Bunkyo (文京区)
Premium: Minato (港区), Shibuya (渋谷区), Shinjuku (新宿区)
Safety
Safety notes
Safer neighborhoods
Bunkyo (文京区), Minato (港区), Setagaya (世田谷区)
Areas to be careful with
Kabukicho (Shinjuku) and Roppongi (Minato) late at night, for solicitations, scam clubs and drunks, crowded entertainment areas on weekends, Pickpocketing rare but possible in very crowded tourist places
- Tokyo is one of the safest large cities in the world: violent crime is very rare and you can move around safely even at night. The greatest risk is concentrated in the nightlife districts (Kabukicho, Roppongi), where scam clubs and solicitors exist: avoid anyone who stops you on the street to take you to a bar.
- Courtesy and unwritten rules count for a lot: silence on trains, order in queues, rigorous separate waste collection and respect for condominium rules.
- To orient yourself, it helps a lot to have a bit of Japanese: outside of international contexts (Minato, large companies, universities with courses in English) English is less widespread than one would expect in such a large metropolis.
Student perspective: Students: Bunkyo is the district of the University of Tokyo, Shinjuku (Takadanobaba) of Waseda, Toshima (Ikebukuro) of Rikkyo. Nakano, Toshima and Kita offer more accessible rentals while remaining central; sharehouses and student residences are a good place to start when you first arrive.
Nightlife
Where to go out
Shinjuku (Golden Gai / Ni-chome / Kabukicho)
tiny bars, izakaya, night at any price
Golden Gai (historic micro-bars), Ni-chome (LGBTQ+ heart) and Kabukicho (fun at all hours): the most varied and legendary night in Tokyo.
Shibuya
clubs, bars, youth culture
Clubs, bars and venues for the young crowd around the intersection; heart of nightlife and music.
Roppongi (Minato)
international clubs, expat nightlife
The most international and cosmopolitan night, with clubs and bars frequented by expats and foreigners (but be careful of scam clubs).
Shimokitazawa (Setagaya)
live houses, indie bars, theatres
The indie and vintage capital of the city: live houses, small bars, theaters and cafes, much loved by students.
Ebisu / Nakameguro (Shibuya)
cocktail bars, restaurants, chic aperitifs
The most refined area for cocktail bars and restaurants, with a trendy and relaxed atmosphere along the Meguro canal.
Transport
Getting around Tokyo
Tokyo has the most extensive and efficient rail transport network in the world: the JR lines (including the circular Yamanote), the nine Tokyo Metro lines, the four Toei lines and numerous private railways, as well as buses. Everything is punctual and thorough. You pay with Suica or PASMO (contactless) IC cards, which work on any means of transport, or with commuter passes (teiki) for your route.
Metro Tokyo Metro (9 lines) and Toei (4 lines): the metro covers the center extensively, with over 280 stationsJR East: the Yamanote circular line connects the large hubs (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ikebukuro, Ueno); Chuo, Sobu and radial lines serve the rest of the cityPrivate railways (Tokyu, Odakyu, Keio, Seibu, Tobu, Keisei): connect residential districts and suburbs, integrated with the metro
Tram / busBuses (Toei and private) integrate the rail network in less served areas; two historic tram lines remain (Toden Arakawa and Setagaya). But in Tokyo the train is the dominant means of transport: everything is designed around the stations.
TrainTokyo is the largest railway hub in Japan: the Shinkansen from Tokyo, Ueno and Shinagawa connect Osaka in ~2h30, Kyoto in ~2h15 and the whole country; Haneda (nearby) and Narita airports are connected by trains and expresses.
Pass info Remote fares with Suica/PASMO IC card (~¥150-320 per trip)commuter pass (teiki) 1/3/6 months for your route, with a strong discount for students (通学定期)no single network passtourist passes (Tokyo Subway Ticket) for short stays
WalkabilityExcellent around the stations: each hub is a walkable neighborhood full of shops and services, and the city is safe and clean at all times; However, the total distances are enormous, so we mostly travel by train.
Bike-friendlinessGood for local travel: many use bikes to reach the station and in the neighborhood; the city is largely flat, but there is a lack of dedicated cycle paths on many streets and bike parking is regulated (be careful of removals).
Transport sources Tokyo Metro — Rete, mappe e tariffeJR East — Linee, Yamanote e ShinkansenGO TOKYO — Muoversi a Tokyo e IC card
Cost of living
Monthly budget estimate
Reference monthly budget ¥120,000-200,000/month
room/studio + utilities + groceries + transportation · excluding university fees
Spending items
Food approximately ¥40,000-70,000/month (personal spending) cheap meal ~¥1,200
Transport There is no single pass: you buy a commuter pass (teiki) for your route. Students have the 通学定期, heavily discounted. Average monthly subscription ~¥12,000 you pay with Suica/PASMO IC card
Utilities approximately ¥25,000 for 85 m² in a small apartment ~¥10,000-15,000
Coffee / bars cappuccino around ¥560 cheap meal around ¥1,200
- Tokyo is expensive but with huge differences: a studio apartment (ワンルーム/1K) goes from ~¥70,000 in well-connected suburbs to over ¥150,000 in the central districts; sharehouses (¥50,000-80,000) are a popular option for students and newly arrived expats.
- BEWARE of the initial costs of buying a house: in addition to the deposit (敷金 shikikin, 1-2 months) there is often the key money (礼金 reikin, 1-2 months non-refundable to the owner), the agency commission and the guarantee (保証会社). The initial total can reach 4-6 monthly payments: take it into account.
- Many owners ask for a guarantor (保証人) or guarantee company; historically some are reluctant to rent to foreigners, but there are specialized agencies and portals for foreign residents.
- Apartment rent (1LDK) entire: ~¥111,000 outside the center and ~¥204,000 in the center, according to the Numbeo spread for Tokyo.
- Register immediately at the ward office (区役所) for residency, My Number and national health insurance; knowing a little Japanese helps a lot in bureaucracy and daily life.
Budget sources Numbeo — Costo della vita a TokyoTokyo Metro / JR East — Tariffe e commuter pass
Decision guide
Pros and cons of living in Tokyo
5 strengths
- Tokyo has the most extensive and efficient rail transport network in the world: the JR lines (including the circular Yamanote), the nine Tokyo Metro lines, the four Toei lines and numerous private railways, as well as buses. Everything is punctual and thorough. You pay with Suica or PASMO (contactless) IC cards, which work on any means of transport, or with commuter passes (teiki) for your route.
- University of Tokyo (東京大学), Waseda University (早稲田大学), Keio University (慶應義塾大学): poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
- Students: Bunkyo is the district of the University of Tokyo, Shinjuku (Takadanobaba) of Waseda, Toshima (Ikebukuro) of Rikkyo. Nakano, Toshima and Kita offer more accessible rentals while remaining central; sharehouses and student residences are a good place to start when you first arrive.
- Tokyo is expensive but with huge differences: a studio apartment (ワンルーム/1K) goes from ~¥70,000 in well-connected suburbs to over ¥150,000 in the central districts; sharehouses (¥50,000-80,000) are a popular option for students and newly arrived expats.
- Shinjuku (新宿区), Shibuya (渋谷区), Minato (港区) sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.
5 drawbacks
- Tokyo is one of the safest large cities in the world: violent crime is very rare and you can move around safely even at night. The greatest risk is concentrated in the nightlife districts (Kabukicho, Roppongi), where scam clubs and solicitors exist: avoid anyone who stops you on the street to take you to a bar.
- BEWARE of the initial costs of buying a house: in addition to the deposit (敷金 shikikin, 1-2 months) there is often the key money (礼金 reikin, 1-2 months non-refundable to the owner), the agency commission and the guarantee (保証会社). The initial total can reach 4-6 monthly payments: take it into account.
- Rents among the highest in the city
- Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
FAQ
Questions about moving to Tokyo
Is Tokyo a good city for students?
Yes: it is home to some of the best universities in Japan (University of Tokyo, Waseda, Keio, Sophia) and an immense student and cultural life, in a very safe city with perfect transport. Many universities have courses in English, but Japanese helps a lot in daily life. The cost of living is high and the initial costs for the house (key money, deposit, guarantor) must be taken into account.
Is Tokyo a good city for workers?
Yes: it is one of the largest economic centers in the world, with global headquarters in finance, tech, advanced manufacturing, media and services. There is no shortage of opportunities for qualified, English-speaking profiles (especially around Minato and Shibuya), but Japanese work culture and language are important factors. Many international companies offer relocation support.
Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?
For students: Bunkyo (University of Tokyo), Shinjuku/Takadanobaba (Waseda), Toshima/Ikebukuro (Rikkyo). For those who work and are looking for an international environment: Minato and Shibuya. For a good quality/price ratio while remaining central: Nakano, Toshima and Kita.
Which neighborhoods are cheapest?
Kita (Akabane) has some of the lowest rents near the center; Nakano and parts of Toshima and Setagaya offer good prices while remaining well connected. In general, moving away from the central districts (Minato, Shibuya, Chiyoda) and choosing a good train line, rents drop a lot.
Is public transport convenient?
It is the best in the world: JR, Tokyo Metro, Toei and private railways cover everything in a widespread and punctual way. You pay with the Suica or PASMO IC card (contactless) or with a commuter pass (teiki) for your route, with a strong discount for students. You don't need a car; Haneda airport is just a few minutes from the center.
How much budget is needed?
For a student approximately ¥120,000-200,000 per month for accommodation, utilities, expenses and transport; university fees are extra. Those who work most often fall between ¥200,000 and ¥320,000, depending mainly on rent. Remember the high upfront costs of getting a home.
How does renting a house in Tokyo work?
It is necessary to take into account high initial costs: deposit (敷金), often key money (礼金, non-refundable), agency commission and a guarantee company (保証会社), for a total that can reach 4-6 monthly payments. Many owners ask for a guarantor and some are reluctant to rent to foreigners, but there are agencies and portals for foreign residents and sharehouses are an excellent starting point as soon as you arrive.