As someone who has been following the Japanese real estate market for a long time, I have found that housing prices in Tokyo have always been an unavoidable topic. Whether it’s a local office worker or someone who is planning to settle in, invest or rent in Japan, almost all ask the same question: Where is the house price reasonably in Tokyo? Where is the best place to stay?
After all, Tokyo is not a simple city, it consists of 23 special wards, each with a very different atmosphere, convenience, and cost of living. If you don’t understand these regional differences, it is easy to “step on the pit” if you choose a house based solely on price.
In this article, I will sort out the housing prices and yen prices per square meter (with RMB conversion) in Tokyo’s 23 wards based on the latest data in 2025, and at the same time combine some of my own observations and experiences to share the characteristics of each district, what kind of people are suitable for living, or what the investment value is.
If you are also interested in Tokyo’s real estate market, you may wish to read on to learn more about the real estate landscape of the world’s largest metropolitan area.
2025 Tokyo 23 wards room rate list (JPY/RMB)
(Based on the exchange rate of 1 RMB ≈ 0.14 USD)
| Ranking | District name | Price per square meter (USD) | Regional characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Port | 9,996 | International high-end residential area, suitable for high-income people and foreign buyers |
| 2 | Chiyoda Ward | 9,436 | The core area of politics and the imperial palace is scarce and has strong value preservation |
| 3 | Shibuya Ward | 9,212 | A gathering place for young people and creative industries, suitable for freelancers and investors |
| 4 | Central District | 8,386 | Ginza and Nihonbashi business districts, financial and high-end retail centers |
| 5 | Meguro Ward | 7,798 | A quiet high-quality residential area suitable for middle-class families |
| 6 | Shinjuku Ward | 7,784 | A bustling transportation hub, suitable for short- and medium-term residences and young people |
| 7 | Bunkyo Ward | 7,756 | Important educational center, home to University of Tokyo, suitable for families who value education |
| 8 | Shinagawa Ward | 7,392 | Convenient commercial transportation, many foreign companies, suitable for commuters |
| 9 | Toshima Ward | 7,084 | Core of Ikebukuro, convenient for life, suitable for singles and office workers |
| 10 | Taitung District | 6,762 | Sightseeing spots such as Asakusa and Ueno are active but some old |
| 11 | Sumida Ward | 6,440 | Tokyo Skytree, family-friendly, beautiful scenery |
| 12 | Setagaya Ward | 6,426 | Largest residential area with many green spaces, suitable for childcare and elderly care |
| 13 | Koto Ward | 6,412 | New bay development, convenient, suitable for budget families |
| 14 | Nakano Ward | 6,314 | Gathering place for subcultures, young people and creative groups active |
| 15 | Ota Ward | 5,894 | Near Haneda Airport, convenient for business commuting |
| 16 | Sugi District | 5,880 | Stable residents, many parks, suitable for families on a budget |
| 17 | North | 5,698 | Traditional residential areas, convenient living, stable rents |
| 18 | Arakawa Ward | 5,264 | Marginal area, still convenient traffic, many old apartments |
| 19 | Training District | 4,886 | Good educational resources, suitable for students and civil servants |
| 20 | Banqiao District | 4,858 | Cost-effective, suitable for first-time buyers and young families |
| 21 | Edogawa Ward | 3,822 | Convenient to live, budget-friendly, suitable for ordinary families |
| 22 | Katsushika Ward | 3,724 | Strong suburban feel, low cost of living, suitable for budget buyers |
| 23 | Adachi Ward | 3,598 | Lowest price area, moderate rental yields, suitable for very low budget buyers |
How to choose the right Tokyo real estate area for you?
In Tokyo, a city that is both international and full of personality, there is really no “standard answer” to choosing a house. Different people value completely different points: some people pursue liveliness and convenience, while others prefer greenery and tranquility; some people have a generous budget and pay attention to location and circle; Some people are careful and care more about cost performance.
The following are the constituency suggestions for four typical home buyers that I have summarized based on the real home buying experience of the people around me and the basic situation of each district. I hope it can help you find the “right taste” area faster.
High-end lifestyle seeker / return on investment orientation
If you are a professional with an annual salary of more than 10 million yen, or an executive of a foreign company, or a foreign family, then Minato Ward (Roppongi, Azabu), Chiyoda Ward (Marunouchi), and Chuo Ward (Ginza area) are your first choice.
Recommended areas: Minato Ward, Chiyoda Ward, Chuo Ward
These places not only have convenient transportation, many international schools, a clean and decent living environment, and complete supporting facilities, which are suitable for people with high living quality requirements.
Minato-ku, Tokyo
The port area is famous for its multinational corporate headquarters, embassies and international schools, and is the preferred residence for foreign high-net-worth individuals and professionals. In the minds of many people, it is almost the “ceiling of Tokyo life”.
This is not only an area with a high concentration of luxury homes, but also a prime location with the most international feel, identity and convenience in Tokyo. Whether it’s work, education, healthcare, leisure, almost every key element, it does the best.
The Roppongi and Toranomon areas of Minato Ward are home to many international financial institutions and professional service companies, and are home to foreign executives, lawyers, consultants, and other professionals. While some tech companies are headquartered in Shibuya or Chiyoda, Minato Ward is still one of Tokyo’s most cosmopolitan areas with a high-end quality of life.
This means that the job density here is extremely high, especially for practitioners in high value-added industries such as finance, consulting, technology, and medicine.
Chiyoda, Tokyo
As the center of Japan’s national government and legal affairs, Chiyoda Ward brings together the Prime Minister’s Office, the Diet, major ministries and the Supreme Court, and the office demand has been strong for a long time.
As the smallest administrative district among Tokyo’s 23 wards, Chiyoda Ward is extremely tight in land resources, with a very low proportion of residential land and a scarce supply of new housing.
This “scarcity” gives properties in the region a strong ability to retain value, so they are favored by high-net-worth local buyers and institutional investors.
Chuo-ku, Tokyo
The central district has both high-end commercial and livable functions, showing strong composite urban characteristics. Represented by Ginza and the vicinity of Tokyo Station, it gathers a large number of international luxury brand flagship stores, high-end department stores and high-star hotels, attracting high-net-worth consumers at home and abroad, and is one of the most representative high-end commercial areas in Tokyo.
At the same time, there are also a number of high-quality residential areas in the area, such as Harumi, Tsukishima and Tsukuda, with waterfront landscapes and new tower apartments, forming a modern living circle suitable for high-income people.
Due to the coexistence of commercial and residential demand and the scarcity of land resources, the real estate market in Chuo District has shown strong risk resistance and long-term value-added potential, making it an important area favored by high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors.
The three regions not only have a stable and large base of high-end buyers and tenants, especially expatriate business people from Europe, the United States and Asia, ensuring that rents and transaction prices remain strong for a long time.
It also has a wide range of living facilities, including Tokyo’s top universities, international schools, medical institutions, and luxury shopping and cultural and entertainment facilities, with convenient transportation and multiple subway and JR lines.
Overall, these three districts are not only symbols of high-end living experience, but also the first choice for high-quality real estate assets with stable investment returns and growth potential.
Office worker/commuter oriented
For most working people in Tokyo, the primary criterion for a constituency is often “convenient transportation + efficient life”. Shinagawa Ward is an important connection hub for the Shinkansen and Haneda Airport, making it suitable not only for commuting to Tokyo but also for business people who frequently travel to and from Kansai or internationally.
Recommended areas: Shinagawa Ward, Shinjuku Ward, Shibuya Ward
Shinjuku and Shibuya are famous multi-functional hubs in Tokyo, connecting not only the city’s main lines, but also rich commercial facilities and rental needs, suitable for freelancers, corporate white-collar workers or short-term rental investors.
The convenience of life in the three places is high, and you can easily enjoy the city nightlife after get off work at night.
Family buyers / People who value childcare and quality of life
For families planning to settle down and raise children, the tranquility and safety of the living environment, as well as the richness of educational resources, are the most important indicators.
Recommended areas: Bunkyo Ward, Setagaya Ward, Suginami Ward, Nerima Ward
Bunkyo Ward is not only home to the University of Tokyo, but also a gathering place for many well-known elementary and junior high schools, and is popular with families who pay attention to school district housing.
Setagaya and Suginami wards are known as “ideal residential areas for Tokyoites” with many green spaces and good security, and the pace of life is slow but comfortable, especially suitable for raising children and accompanying the elderly.
Nerima District is known for its relatively affordable housing prices and stable life, and is favored by civil servants and teacher families.
Homebuyers with limited budgets
For homebuyers on a budget, young couples starting a family, or first-time homebuyers, how to keep costs down while keeping commuting acceptable is a key consideration.
Recommended areas: Koto Ward, Itabashi Ward, Nakano Ward, Edogawa Ward
Koto Ward, an important area along the coast of Tokyo Bay, has gradually developed into a hot new residential area in Tokyo in recent years due to the continuous advancement of urban redevelopment and land reclamation projects.
Especially in the Toyosu, Ariake, and Shinonome areas, not only have a large number of new high-rise apartment projects appeared, but the overall block planning is also relatively modern, with spacious streets and abundant green spaces, which are both livable and potential for future development.
Compared to traditional core areas such as Minato and Chiyoda, Koto Ward’s housing prices are relatively affordable, making it popular among buyers with limited budgets but pursuing quality of life.
Whether it is a family buyer or a first-time home buyer, Jiangdong District is favored for its “high CP value” (cost performance).
In addition, the living facilities in the area are being continuously improved. Large shopping malls (such as LaLaport Toyosu, AEON Shinonome), hospitals, parks, international schools, etc. are all available;
In terms of transportation, the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Rinkai Line, Yurikamome and other lines run through the north and south, directly connecting to Ginza, Shinjuku, Odaiba and other commercial cores. Especially for families with children, educational resources and childcare support policies in many regions of Jiangdong District are also gradually being optimized.
From a long-term investment perspective, with the overall reconstruction of Tokyo Bay and the continuous investment in transportation infrastructure, the residential attractiveness of Koto Ward is expected to further increase, with certain value-added potential.
Itabashi and Nakano are not located in the city center, but they are well-connected, active in rental and sales, and convenient for residents looking for a “balance” on the edge of the city. Edogawa Ward is a traditional residential area with a strong community atmosphere and low prices, making it a very cost-effective choice.
epilogue
Tokyo’s housing prices as a whole show a significant pattern of “high center and low edge”, which is closely related to factors such as urban functional layout and transportation hub density. Core areas such as Minato District, Chiyoda District, Chuo District, etc., due to the gathering of a large number of political, economic and high-end commercial resources, housing prices continue to be high; The relatively peripheral areas are more affordable due to factors such as commuting distance and degree of development.
When choosing a house, it is often not enough to focus on the price. A truly ideal choice should take into account future appreciation potential, ease of living, commuting time, surrounding facilities, and personal living or investment needs. Every district, every station, and even every street has its own uniqueness and development rhythm.
I hope this article can provide you with a valuable reference in your home buying, investment or rental decisions in Tokyo. Rational judgment and long-term perspective are the keys to navigating market fluctuations and grasping value.