Tokyo Budget Apartments: What You Can Rent for $550 Now – Blog

With the yen’s recent sharp depreciation against the dollar, $550 will not go as far as it did just a few months ago, but you can still afford to live in Tokyo, even on a relatively small budget.

As we describe in this post on the average rent in Tokyo, you will typically pay about ¥97,000 ($822, 1USD = 118JPY) a month for a studio or one-bedroom apartment in Tokyo’s 23 Wards. However, this is just a city-wide average. If you look a little outside the city center, you can still find bargains.

All the examples below are located in the 23 Wards. You can find less expensive properties if you look in Tokyo’s western suburbs (like Machida) and Saitama and Chiba Prefectures.

Below are just a few examples of what you can rent now in Tokyo for about $550 (¥65,000) a month.

Also, please be aware that almost all rental apartments in Japan charge a monthly “maintenance fee” which is a fee that is used for upkeep of the common areas in the building; this will add to your monthly expenses. Also, please note that unless otherwise noted, the apartments below are not available for short-term (monthly) rental.

Let’s see what’s available!

• Where: Koenji Station on the JR Chuo Line, 14-min direct ride to Shinjuku.

• Rent: ¥65,500 ($550)

• Size: 16.3-sqm (175-sqft)

• Key Money: None

• Deposit: None

• Agency fee: None

• Maintenance fee: ¥4,500/month

• Why: This is indeed a small studio but a good value for this neighborhood, not to mention that it comes furnished with a fridge, microwave, and washing machine. The apartment is right on the JR Chuo Rapid Line, giving you direct access to Nakano, Shinjuku, Yotsuya, Ochanomizu, Kanda, and Tokyo. The Koenji neighborhood itself  is a known for its shoutengai (商店街) shopping arcades, with many of the shops specializing in used clothing and music. There is also a branch of the up-market Queen’s Isetan supermarket chain near the station. And, of course, it’s only a 14-min direct ride to Shinjuku.

• Where: Toritsu Daigaku Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line, 9-min direct ride to Shibuya, 16-min ride to Roppongi with one transfer

• Rent: ¥65,500 ($550)

• Size: 15.82-sqm (170-sqft)

• Key Money: None

• Deposit: None

• Agency fee: None

• Maintenance fee: ¥4,000/month

• Why: This is a no-frills studio, furnished with a bed, TV, and fridge, and is located in an excellent location for getting quickly to Shibuya and Roppongi.

• Where: Kita Senzoku Station on the Tokyu Oimachi Line, 21-min commute to Shinagawa Stn with a transfer at Oimachi Station

• Rent: ¥65,00 ($550)

• Size: 18.54-sqm (199-sqft)

• Key Money: None

• Deposit: 1 month

• Agency fee: 0.5 months

• Maintenance fee: ¥3,000/month

• Why: A very clean and bright top floor studio apartment in a quiet residential neighborhood. Excellent access to central Tokyo (Shinagawa Stn is just 20 minutes away). Your neighborhood park will be Senzoku Ike, a very scenic and well-known cherry blossom viewing spot.

• Where: Kameido Station on the Keio Inokashira Line, 23-min ride to Shibuya

• Rent: ¥63,500 ($538)

• Size: 16.3-sqm (175-sqft)

• Key Money: None

• Deposit: None

• Agency fee: 1 month

• Maintenance fee: ¥6,000/month

• Why: When you live just a little further outside the center, you will be rewarded with more space. Located in Suginami Ward, Kameido is still in the 23 Wards but apartments here are more spacious. In terms of commuting, you will not be giving up much time, since it’s just a 23-minute ride to Shibuya. This is a clean and well-maintained top floor corner room that gets plenty of natural light.

• Where: Shimura Sakaue Station on the Mita Line, 6 stops from the Yamanote Line, 24 minute direct ride to Otemachi

• Rent: ¥63,000 ($538)

• Size: 21.94-sqm (236-sqft)

• Key Money: None

• Deposit: None

• Agency fee: None

• Maintenance fee: ¥2,000/month

• Why: This is a great budget option for quickly getting to the Yamanote line or commuting on the Mita Line. Lots of good shopping nearby (two convenience stores, ¥100 shop, and supermarket).

These are just a few examples of the thousands of budget apartment listings available on Real Estate Japan.

Please see our full listings here: apartments for rent in Tokyo.

Browse our comprehensive listings and find your ideal apartment in Tokyo and Japan!