Last Updated on 2025年9月23日 by Kenty
Moving to Tokyo as a foreign resident can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to finding the perfect neighborhood that balances affordability, convenience, and quality of life. Shinjuku, being one of Tokyo’s major business and entertainment hubs, is an ideal location for work and leisure, but living directly in Shinjuku can be expensive. Fortunately, numerous excellent residential areas within 20 minutes of Shinjuku Station offer affordable housing options, excellent amenities, and strong support systems for international residents.
This comprehensive guide explores the top 10 areas near Shinjuku that provide the perfect combination of reasonable rent prices, convenient transportation, shopping facilities, and most importantly, multilingual support services to help you settle into Japanese life smoothly.
1. Quick Comparison: Top 10 Areas Near Shinjuku
| Station | Travel Time | 1K Apartment (¥) | 1LDK Apartment (¥) | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakano | 3-7 mins | 104,900 | 184,700 | Culture enthusiasts | Subcultural hub |
| Koenji | 6-8 mins | 96,300 | 182,500 | Artists, musicians | Vintage culture |
| Asagaya | 8 mins | 87,600 | 161,400 | Quiet living | Covered shopping |
| Ogikubo | 8-12 mins | 93,500 | 165,400 | Families | Station facilities |
| Ikebukuro | 8-9 mins | 111,900 | 196,400 | International crowd | Major terminal |
| Otsuka | 11 mins | 116,800 | 179,700 | Young professionals | Station convenience |
| Sugamo | 12-17 mins | 106,900 | 170,100 | Traditional life | Shopping street |
| Akabane | 14-15 mins | 99,700 | 145,900 | Budget conscious | Most affordable |
| Kinshicho | 18-25 mins | 112,600 | 187,000 | Shopping lovers | Large malls |
| Kameido | 20-26 mins | 102,100 | 170,700 | Modern living | New facilities |
Check the list above for your consideration!
2. Detailed Area Reviews
①Nakano – The Subcultural Paradise
Travel Time: 3-7 minutes via JR Chuo Line
Average Rent: 1K ¥104,900 | 1LDK ¥184,700
Nakano is famous for Nakano Broadway, a shopping complex that’s considered the holy ground of Japanese subculture. This area perfectly balances urban convenience with cultural richness, making it extremely popular among international residents, especially those interested in anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture.
✅ Advantages
- Closest to Shinjuku (fastest commute)
- Rich cultural scene and entertainment
- Excellent shopping and dining options
- Strong international community
- 30-language tablet interpretation service available
❌ Considerations
- Higher rent due to proximity to Shinjuku
- Can be crowded, especially on weekends
- Limited quiet residential areas
Best for: International residents who want to be at the heart of Japanese pop culture while maintaining easy access to central Tokyo.
②Koenji – The Creative Hub
Travel Time: 6-8 minutes via JR Chuo Line
Average Rent: 1K ¥96,300 | 1LDK ¥182,500
Koenji is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, vintage clothing stores, and live music venues. The famous Koenji Junjo Shopping Street offers an authentic local experience with reasonable prices for daily necessities and unique finds.
✅ Advantages
- Affordable rent compared to proximity to Shinjuku
- Thriving arts and music scene
- Excellent vintage shopping
- Great local restaurants and bars
- English and Chinese consultation services
❌ Considerations
- Can be noisy due to nightlife
- Limited large-scale shopping options
- Bohemian atmosphere might not suit everyone
Best for: Creative professionals, artists, and young international residents who appreciate alternative culture and community atmosphere.
③Asagaya – The Peaceful Residential Choice
Travel Time: 8 minutes via JR Chuo Line
Average Rent: 1K ¥87,600 | 1LDK ¥161,400
Asagaya offers the perfect balance of tranquility and convenience. The 700-meter covered Asagaya Pearl Center provides all-weather shopping for daily necessities, making it ideal for international residents who prefer a quieter lifestyle.
✅ Advantages
- One of the most affordable areas on the list
- Quiet, family-friendly residential atmosphere
- Covered shopping arcade (weather-proof)
- Good balance of local and chain stores
- Multilingual interpretation services available
❌ Considerations
- Limited nightlife options
- Fewer international restaurants
- Less vibrant cultural scene
🎋 Experience Tokyo’s Cultural Festival Capital:
Discover how living in Asagaya offers more than affordable housing—it’s your gateway to authentic Japanese cultural community life.
Read our comprehensive guide→ Asagaya Station Living Guide: Tokyo’s Cultural Festival Capital & Community Haven (2025)
Best for: International families, students, and professionals who prioritize peaceful living while maintaining easy access to central Tokyo.
④Ogikubo – The Family-Friendly Station Town
Travel Time: 8-12 minutes via JR Chuo Line (Express stops here)
Average Rent: 1K ¥93,500 | 1LDK ¥165,400
Ogikubo is a major express stop with excellent station-connected shopping facilities including Ogikubo Town Seven and Lumine Ogikubo. This makes daily life extremely convenient, especially for families with children.
✅ Advantages
- Express train stop (faster to central Tokyo)
- Excellent station-connected shopping
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Good schools and parks nearby
- Comprehensive multilingual support
❌ Considerations
- Can be crowded during rush hours
- More expensive than neighboring areas
- Limited unique cultural attractions
Best for: International families and professionals who prioritize convenience and station-area shopping facilities.
⑤Ikebukuro – The International Terminal
Travel Time: 8-9 minutes via JR Yamanote Line
Average Rent: 1K ¥111,900 | 1LDK ¥196,400
Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo’s major terminals with Sunshine City complex offering shopping, entertainment, aquarium, and observation deck. The area has a strong international atmosphere and excellent multilingual support systems.
✅ Advantages
- Major terminal with multiple train lines
- Extensive international amenities
- 22-language support system available
- Huge variety of shopping and entertainment
- Strong international community
❌ Considerations
- Higher rent prices
- Very crowded area
- Can be overwhelming for some
- Noise from constant activity
Best for: International professionals who need excellent transportation access and prefer living in a cosmopolitan environment with strong multilingual support.
⑥Akabane – The Budget-Friendly Choice
Travel Time: 14-15 minutes via JR Keihin-Tohoku/Saikyo Line
Average Rent: 1K ¥99,700 | 1LDK ¥145,900
Akabane offers the best value for money among all areas on this list. Despite being slightly farther from Shinjuku, it provides excellent amenities and has particularly strong support for international residents from various countries including Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh communities.
✅ Advantages
- Most affordable rent prices
- Excellent shopping at Beans Akabane
- Diverse international community
- Volunteer interpretation in multiple languages
- Great value for money
❌ Considerations
- Longer commute to Shinjuku
- Less trendy compared to other areas
- Limited cultural attractions
Best for: Budget-conscious international residents, especially those from South Asian countries, who prioritize affordability and community support.
3. Essential Services for International Residents
When searching for apartments in these areas, you’ll have access to comprehensive support services. For professional assistance with your apartment hunting journey, consider using
specialized real estate services for foreigners
that offer multilingual consultations and can help navigate the Japanese rental system, including guarantor services and contract explanations in your preferred language.
🏢 Ward-Level Multilingual Support Services
- Nakano Ward: 30-language tablet interpretation service for face-to-face consultations
- Suginami Ward: English and Chinese consultation staff, plus multilingual community events
- Toshima Ward: Foreigner Support with 22-language interpretation system
- Kita Ward: Volunteer interpretation network including Myanmar, Nepali, Bengali, and Tagalog
- Tokyo Metropolitan: “Himawari” medical consultation hotline in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Thai (9 AM – 8 PM daily)
4. Apartment Hunting Tips for International Residents
Essential Documents You’ll Need
- Valid passport and residence card (Zairyu Card)
- Certificate of employment (employment contract)
- Income proof (salary statements or tax documents)
- Bank account information and savings proof
- Guarantor information (or guarantee company application)
Understanding Japanese Rental Costs
Besides monthly rent, budget for initial costs including:
- Deposit (Shikikin): Usually 1-2 months’ rent
- Key Money (Reikin): 0-2 months’ rent (non-refundable)
- Agent Fee: Usually 1 month’s rent + tax
- Guarantee Company Fee: 50-100% of first month’s rent
- Fire Insurance: ¥15,000-25,000 annually
Best Timing for Apartment Hunting
The Japanese rental market has distinct seasons:
- Peak Season (January-March): Most options but highest competition
- Good Season (September-October): Corporate relocations create opportunities
- Quiet Season (April-August, November-December): More negotiation room, fewer options
5. Transportation and Commuting Guide
Understanding Train Types
The travel times mentioned can vary significantly depending on train types:
- Express (Kyuko): Fastest option, skips many stations
- Rapid (Kaisoku): Moderate speed, skips some stations
- Local (Kakueki-teisha): Stops at every station, slowest but most frequent
Monthly Commuter Pass Savings
For regular commuters, monthly passes (Teikiken) offer significant savings. From most areas on this list to Shinjuku, expect to pay ¥8,000-12,000 monthly for unlimited travel during the validity period.
6. Living Costs Breakdown by Area
| Expense Category | Budget Areas (Akabane, Asagaya) | Mid-Range Areas (Koenji, Ogikubo) | Premium Areas (Nakano, Ikebukuro) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch (Restaurant) | ¥600-800 | ¥700-1,000 | ¥800-1,200 |
| Dinner (Mid-range) | ¥1,500-2,500 | ¥2,000-3,000 | ¥2,500-4,000 |
| Grocery (Weekly) | ¥3,000-4,000 | ¥3,500-4,500 | ¥4,000-5,500 |
| Utilities (Monthly) | ¥8,000-10,000 | ¥8,000-10,000 | ¥9,000-12,000 |
Check the list above for your consideration!
7.Community and Social Integration
Finding Your Community
Each area offers different community experiences:
- International Meetups: Ikebukuro and Nakano have the most active international community groups
- Cultural Activities: Koenji offers art and music scene participation
- Traditional Japanese Culture: Sugamo provides authentic local community experience
- Family Networks: Ogikubo and Asagaya have active parent communities for international families
8.Final Recommendations
For First-Time International Residents
Top Choice: Nakano or Ikebukuro – Despite higher rent, the comprehensive multilingual support, international community, and urban conveniences make settling in much easier.
For Budget-Conscious Residents
Top Choice: Akabane or Asagaya – Excellent value for money with good community support and reasonable commute times.
For Families
Top Choice: Ogikubo or Asagaya – Family-friendly atmosphere, good schools nearby, and excellent daily life convenience.
For Young Professionals
Top Choice: Koenji or Otsuka – Perfect balance of affordability, cultural richness, and professional networking opportunities.
🚀 Ready to Start Your Apartment Hunt?
Remember that finding the perfect apartment in Tokyo requires patience and proper support. Consider working with
experienced real estate agents who specialize in helping international residents
and can provide assistance in English, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Myanmar, Nepali, and Sinhala languages throughout your apartment hunting journey.
Living near Shinjuku doesn’t have to break the bank. Each of these areas offers unique advantages for international residents, from vibrant cultural scenes to family-friendly environments. The key is choosing the area that best matches your lifestyle preferences, budget, and long-term goals in Japan. With proper preparation and the right support, you’ll find your perfect home in one of these excellent neighborhoods.
Note: Rent prices are averages based on 2024 data and may vary depending on specific location, apartment condition, and market conditions. Travel times may vary depending on time of day and train service types. Always verify current information when making housing decisions.
