However, it is also a buzzing city that is frequently the birthplace of many national and global trends in culture, food, and fashion.
This is one of the reasons why many people are drawn to Tokyo.
It has a number of world-renowned museums, restaurants, and parks, and is the homeplace of many different events. There is no chance you can be bored here!
Tokyo is a city with a fascinating history and thriving traditional culture.
Whether you’ve lived in another area of Japan, or you are thinking about making the move from the US, Tokyo will provide you with ample opportunities to immerse yourself in Japanese tradition.
In addition to its rich culture and heritage, it is also a particularly practical city to live in.
It boasts one of the best transportation systems in the world, is known to be a pretty safe city, and Japan as a whole has a great healthcare system. What more could you ask for?
If you’re considering making the move to Tokyo, take a look at the list of our favorite places to live in this great city below.
Whether you want a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood, or you’re looking for a student-friendly scene, there is something for you!
Naka-Meguro
Naka-Meguro has long been a particularly coveted area in Tokyo.
If your idea of a nice day consists of exploring tiny cafes and shops and walking below the beautiful cherry blossom trees along the Meguro River, you will thrive in Naka-Meguro.
It can get rather busy during the holidays, but generally speaking, it is a surprisingly peaceful place to live.
However, this perfect balance comes at quite a steep price. The average rent for a studio apartment in Naka-Meguro is 110,000 yen per month.
Additionally, it also doesn’t boast the incredible transport connections that other areas do.
But, we think this is a small price to pay to live in such a gorgeous and varied area. It is also considered to be very safe!
Nakano
Nakano is a neighborhood that is most well-known for its large shopping complex called the Nakano Broadway.
This complex boasts a number of incredible specialty shops that sell everything you could ever need, including super niche stuff!
However, this area has far more to it than the shopping complex.
It is a college town, so it also has a huge variety of reasonably priced eateries and it is pretty accessible. Although, don’t let its student-friendly status put you off.
This neighborhood is actually one of the safer college areas.
It has a bustling nightlife thanks to some of the lovely bars in the area, but it isn’t home to very many clubs or love hotels.
As such, whilst you might see a lot of drunk people around, it is still fairly safe.
Shibuya
If the thought of a quiet lifestyle makes you cringe, you will feel right at home in Shibuya.
This area is a playground for young people! It has a load of great spots to shop, eat, drink, and just generally be social.
If you were hoping to also live within close proximity to some iconic tourist attractions, Shibuya is a great option for you.
It is home to the Hachiko Statue, as well as a number of world-renowned concert venues.
And, Shibuya is incredibly well connected. From Shibuya central station you can get to pretty much anywhere else in the city quickly and easily!
Rent is quite high, at an average of 100,700 yen per month, but we think it is definitely worth it!
Shinagawa
Moving across the world with your family can be tough. If you’re planning to move your family to Tokyo, you’ll want to settle down in a family-friendly, safe neighborhood like Shinagawa.
First of all, this great neighborhood has plenty of amazing public facilities.
From a well-connected train station to a number of gyms and libraries to many gorgeous parks, it really does have everything a family needs!
Additionally, it is arguably the safest neighborhood on this list, and it is incredibly convenient!
Whilst there isn’t as much to do here as there is in Shibuya, we think it is the perfect place for a fun family!
Kichijoji
Kichijoji has consistently ranked one of the best places to live in Tokyo for many years.
If you love the hustle and bustle of the city, but you also thrive in nature, Kichijoji is the perfect neighborhood for you!
This area has a thriving shopping district and a huge number of varied eateries.
It can be incredibly busy on the weekends, but if you love the hustle and bustle associated with Tokyo, this won’t be a problem at all!
And, if you feel as though you need a break from the crowds, there are a number of beautiful parks for you to relax in.
In fact, it is home to Inokashira, arguably the most famous park in Tokyo! It has a wonderful lakeside view and loads of different plant life.
Ebisu
Finally, we had to mention Ebisu on this list. This neighborhood is definitely starting to climb the ranks and is slowly becoming one of Tokyo’s most coveted areas.
It is a rather upper-class neighborhood that is home to many different celebrities.
As such, if you want to live close to the stars, Ebisu is a great neighborhood for you.
As a bonus, it is also super convenient! The train station is well-connected to the rest of Tokyo, and there is a huge number of shops and restaurants.
However, due to its celebrity status, it is more expensive than other places. The average rent is very high, at 112,000 yen per month.
Additionally, you will end up spending more on groceries here than in other areas of Tokyo.
Conclusion
Tokyo is an incredible place to live. We hope that this list has inspired you to find the perfect neighborhood in Tokyo for you!
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
