Affordable Student Accommodation in Tokyo: Top Locations, On-Campus & Off-Campus Housing, Cost of Living

Bustling City of Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the most populous city of the country, housing about 14 million people as part of the city proper, while the Tokyo Metropolitan area overall houses about 37 million people.

The city, part of the central coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, is home to the Japanese Government & is the primary economic centre of the country.

It is a popular destination among international students, mainly because it houses two of the top 100 universities in the world, as per QS World Rankings. These are For Indian students planning to study in Japan, the primary challenge that they can face is finding affordable student accommodation in Tokyo.

To simplify things, here we have broken down accommodation options available for international students, cost of living, dos and don’ts of living in Tokyo, comparison of the cost of living in other Japanese cities. Let’s deep dive and make living in Tokyo a smooth ride for you:

Student Residence in Tokyo for International Students

So are you searching for an affordable student residence in Tokyo? You primarily have three options to choose from. Here’s what these are, what to expect and who should opt for these:

 Best Neighbourhoods for Students in Tokyo?

• Shibuya: Shibuya is among the top neighbourhoods for students in Tokyo, offering easy access to educational institutes & language schools. Further, the region comes alive during the nights, with a number of fine dining options at the Shibuya Crossing & Takeshita Street.
• Shinjuku: Known for housing quality educational institutions, an efficient transportation network & a vibrant nightlife, with the Kabukicho region being home to several theatres, restaurants & nightclubs.
• Kichijoji: Offers a relaxed environment with green parks such as Inokashira Park & streets lined with trees. Several cafes & eateries for students to hang out with friends during the lunch breaks.

Home to several popular museums such as the Ghibli Museum & the Kichijoji Art Museum, which can be explored during the weekend.

• Meguro: Known for lush greenery & picturesque canal in the form of the Meguro River. The area is an ideal place to relax amidst the hustle & bustle of the city.

Also houses several cafes & fine dining restaurants, as well as local markets, offering a perfect retreat from everyday life.

Hostels in Tokyo

Hostel is a popular choice of student residence in Tokyo, in large part thanks to its affordability, availability of in-house amenities & better privacy.

The city has no shortage of quality options when it comes to hostels in Tokyo for students.

Mentioned below are some popular options to choose from:

Source: Kayak

Accommodation Costs in Tokyo

Tokyo is among the most expensive cities in Japan, thanks to its prime location as the centre of economic activity in the country. The cost of accommodation varies widely based on the type of housing a student opts for.

Mentioned below are the estimated average costs of accommodation for different types of housing:

Note: The above information is taken from multiple online sources and is therefore subject to variation.

1 Yen = INR 0.60

On-Campus vs Private Rentals in Tokyo: Which is better?

Whether to live on campus or look for accommodation off campus, is a common dilemma encountered by students when planning to study abroad.

The table below may help you understand the pros & cons for each & give you some clarity on which one you should opt for:

Affordable Areas to Live in Tokyo

The cost of living in Tokyo varies greatly with the location you are residing in. For instance, higher costs of living are associated with West Tokyo, while one can witness lower costs of living are in East Tokyo.

Mentioned below are the top locations with the lowest monthly costs of living for the shared housing model:

Students interested in better accommodation with greater flexibility can refer to the following regions to find studio rooms at the cheapest cost in Tokyo:

Things to Keep in Mind Before Travelling to Tokyo

While having a general idea of the cost & the safest areas to live in Tokyo is good, there are certain other things that international students must keep note of, before landing in the city:

• IC Card: Must have an IC card like SUICA or PASMO for contactless payments at public transport stations, shops, vending machines & select restaurants
• Language: Though many Japanese people are known to understand English, it is advisable to learn some basic phrases to reduce any potential language barriers
• Etiquettes: It is advisable to respect the culture & traditions of the local people, such as bowing & taking off your shoes before entering a house
• Emergency Numbers: Worth keeping a note of emergency numbers of the country, such as 110 for Police, & 119 for Fire & Ambulance
• Natural Disasters: Japan is known for being prone to natural disasters such as high magnitude earthquakes; thus, it is advisable to actively participate in mock drills conducted by your university or the local authorities
• Health Insurance: Must have full health insurance that is valid in Japan & ensure your well-being

On-Campus Accommodation in Tokyo

Mentioned below are some top universities offering on-campus accommodation in Tokyo, along with their monthly rents.

Best Ways to Find Accommodation in Tokyo

There are multiple popular online platforms available to students to explore accommodation services in Tokyo, listed below are some popular ones:

Things to Know About Finding Accommodation in Tokyo

To rent an off-campus accommodation in Tokyo, students must have a guarantor (a person legally responsible for paying their dues in case they miss out) alongside them, while also keeping in mind the following:

• Guarantor: The individual who would be responsible for paying your rent if you, for some reason, cannot do the same
• Key money: A non-refundable fee, which is to be paid in advance (typically 1 or 2 months' worth of rent) to gain ‘keys’ to your accommodation
• Security Deposit: Usually 1 or 2 months of rent, the security deposit is refundable after you leave, assuming you don’t end up damaging the property’s facilities
• Agent Fees: To be paid to the real estate agency which aided in your finding accommodation, typically it is one month’s worth of rent.

Conclusion

Quality accommodation in Japan is affordable for international students, with proper research & smart planning.

Students must stay aware of the finer details associated with securing accommodation in the country, along with some common dos & don’ts, to find the accommodation that best suits them.

Pros:

• Wider variety of housing services: dorms, apartments & shared houses
• Safe & student-friendly neighbourhoods
• Quality public transportation system

Cons:

• Higher costs to be paid upfront, such as: security deposits, agent costs, key money, etc.
• Limited availability of university-maintained housing