The 4 best student neighbourhoods in Tokyo

where to live in Tokyo? Thinking about studying in Tokyo and wondering what student life will be like in the Japanese capital? There’s no doubt Tokyo is one of the coolest cities in the world with its buzzing nightlife, delicious food, bohemian cafes, beautiful parks and outstanding universities and public transport.

However, given the vast size of the city, you might ask yourself, which part of Tokyo should I live in?

To help you out we’ve put together a guide to the best student-friendly neighbourhoods in Tokyo and why you should consider each one of them including the cost, transportation, accommodation and attractions.

1. Takadanobaba

When living in a big city such as Tokyo, considering public transportation becomes one of the most important factors. Takadanobaba is conveniently located on the Yamanote line offering a 10-minute commute to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Ikebukuro. It is also within walking distance of Shin-Okubo, which houses Tokyo’s own Koreatown.  

It’s a bustling and trendy student town with a plethora of bars, cafes, and karaoke parlours suiting every budget with many offering cheap student deals. 

Not only well-known among local students, but Takadonobaba is also particularly popular with international students as it’s located only 5 minutes from Waseda University’s Toyama Campus. 

The average rent for a 1-bedroom is ¥110,000/month.

2. Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa, is a small but vibrant neighbourhood located in Setagaya Ward conveniently located on two train lines. The Keio Inokashira Line offers 5-minute access to Shibuya, whilst the Odakyu Line takes 10 minutes to Shinjuku.  Shibuya and Shinjuku are two of the biggest urban hubs and offer easy access to the rest of Tokyo. 

The area is most famous for its many hip cafes, cool secondhand shops for both clothing and furniture, and vibrant street fashion scene. In recent years, Shimokitazawa has become an increasingly popular place to live among students thanks to the many amazing cheap eats and cool fashion scene as well as a vibrant nightlife. 

The average rent for a 1-bedroom is ¥96,000/month.

3. Nippori 

Nippori is a perfect area for international students and young professionals. It offers great accessibility and is also competitively priced. In fact, despite having a station where the Yamanote Line stops (which is the most convenient train line in Tokyo), Nippori has reasonable rent prices. Another perk living in this neighbourhood is the close proximity to Yanaka Ginza where you can go shopping and enjoy the many restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Nippori is also close to neighbouring areas such as Ueno, Asakusa, and Akihabara, which offer cheap eating options popular among students. 

The average rent for a 1-bedroom is ¥95,000/month.

4. Kichijoji

For those looking for a premium neighbourhood, Kichijoji is regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in Tokyo. Conveniently located on two train lines, the JR Chuo Line and the Keio Inokashira Line which offer a 15-minute direct ride to Shinjuku and a 16-minute direct ride to Shibuya, this area offers great proximity to most places in Tokyo. 

One of the main reasons it’s popular among international students is because of its relaxed residential feel which takes you away from the city’s hustle and bustle whilst still being close enough to offer short commuting times into the city centre.

The cool bohemian cafes and the stunning  Inokoashira Park are two other popular drawcards. 

The average rent for a 1-bedroom is  ¥110,000/month.

Student Accommodation in Tokyo

An affordable price for accommodations is vital to international students and interns in Tokyo and so is access to public transport and the location. Many international students team up and rent larger flats to share in order to keep the rent cost down, however, there are many singe studios available for those who prefer their own space. 

The average cost of a dorm is 630 euros per month, and a shared house is approximately 350 euros per month. There are several student accommodation Tokyo such as student residence Tokyo and apartments for rent. Some students opt for a Tokyo international student house which is a great way to get to know other students.

Given Tokyo’s vast size, there are other important factors to consider in addition to the price, when choosing your student accommodation such as location and commute time.

A location with access to local facilities will make your life a lot easier. Whether you are studying or doing an internship in Tokyo, the commute time is a crucial detail in finding the perfect student accommodation. Commuting during rush hour in Japan, especially in Tokyo, can be very hectic and busy. You don’t want to spend hours commuting during rush hour, that is why it is essential to take commute time into account when you look for your student accommodation.

At studentroomrentals.com we have a great selection of international student accommodation Tokyo. We can help with affordable student accommodation and student residences Tokyo. We have a large selection of student rooms, shared apartments, and student studios in Tokyo. Our selection of rooms, studios and apartments are all located in safe and attractive neighbourhoods known to be popular among students and young professionals. Browse through our accommodation options and learn more about how easy, hassle-free and safe it is to book with us. Or contact our friendly customer support team and let them help you to start the process of finding your perfect student accommodation today.