Tokyo Housing Guide for Exchange Students
1. Welcome to Tokyo: how housing shapes your exchange
Tokyo is huge, intense, and surprisingly comfortable once you’ve found your base.
Where you live will decide:
- how much money you burn every month
- how often you go out
- how easy it is to travel
- who you meet and how quickly you build a social circle
Students who loved their exchange almost always say the same thing in different words:
“It was amazing because of where and with whom I lived.”
So this guide is here to help you do exactly that: choose the right area + housing type + budget for your version of Tokyo.
We’ll walk you through:
- how to think about budget and commute in Tokyo
- which neighborhoods exchange students actually live in
- the main housing options (dorms, sharehouses, apartments, Airbnb-style)
- must-know Japanese rental concepts (key money, deposits, guarantor, etc.)
- step-by-step: how to find a place using your university, platforms, and Studcasa
We’re going to talk to you like friends who’ve already been there. Because in many cases… we have.
2. Tokyo basics: budget, commute, and expectations
2.1. What does rent look like in Tokyo in 2025?
Recent estimates put the average rent for a small studio (1R/1K) in the 23 wards around ¥90,000–¥100,000/month (roughly €550–€650 depending on rates).
For a student, that’s a good benchmark for a central but not luxury place.
From student experiences:
- Cheapest dorms / residences: ~€200–€400 (often further out, shared rooms, fewer frills)
- Typical student residences / sharehouses in Tokyo: ~€500–€800
- Central private studios: ~€800–€1,000+
So when you see a €550 dorm with meals or a €750 central sharehouse full of students, that’s not “crazy expensive for Tokyo” – that’s actually quite aligned with the market.
“I paid around 550€ with breakfast and dinner included in Meiji Global Village and lived one minute from campus. Super clean, social, and honestly a great deal for Tokyo.”
“Hakusan House in Bunkyo was about 750€/month for a shared room. Very clean, giant kitchens and common areas, and packed with international students. Expensive, but my whole social life started there.”
At the other extreme:
“I had a 20m² studio in Kagurazaka for around 900€. Expensive, but I was 20 minutes on foot from Waseda and very central.”
These numbers are your reality check when you start browsing ads.
2.2. Commute: what’s “close” in Tokyo?
In Tokyo, 30–45 minutes door-to-door is considered a totally normal commute. The city is built around trains.
But trains also:
- stop around midnight and restart around 5 a.m.
- are not cheap if you pay per ride
- are much cheaper if you get a student commuter pass between home and campus (usually 30–50% off vs. normal fares, depending on the line).
That’s why so many students insist on:
“Live close to a well-serviced station. Best case: on or near the Yamanote line (the big circle that hits Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, etc.). It changes everything.”
“If you can walk to uni, do it. Transport is expensive. Being able to go to class on foot and still be one or two trains away from Shibuya/Shinjuku is perfect.”
A lot of students end up budgeting more for transport than they expected, especially those living 40–60 minutes away.
2.3. Your personal priorities
Before you fall in love with cute photos of tiny Japanese rooms, decide what matters most for you:
Proximity to campus
- You’ll go several times a week, especially at the beginning.
- Many say the ideal is walking or max 20–30 minutes door-to-door.
Nightlife vs. quiet
- Want to go out a lot? Being on a good line to Shibuya or Shinjuku helps.
- Prefer calm, green, more local? There are amazing residential wards that are cheaper and super safe.
Social circle at home
- Some loved massive international dorms where you meet 100 people in a week.
- Others preferred smaller sharehouses or a studio in a local neighborhood.
Budget & comfort
- Shared room + huge social life + low price
- vs. private studio + less noise + higher rent
- vs. dorm with meals included (a surprisingly big money/time saver).
Keep this list in mind as we look at actual neighborhoods and housing types.
3. Where exchange students actually live (and how it feels)
Tokyo has 23 central wards. You won’t learn them all now – but you should know the few names that keep coming back in exchange stories.
3.1. Bunkyo: “student, safe, central-ish”
Bunkyo is a residential, academic ward: University of Tokyo is here, plus many campuses from Waseda, Toyo, etc.
Students describe it as:
- calm, very safe
- lots of small restaurants, supermarkets
- not the craziest nightlife, but well connected to Shinjuku and Ikebukuro
Experiences:
Colivings & dorms in Bunkyo:
- Wakeijuku (traditional male dorm, “very Japanese experience, pricy but unique”).
- Hakusan House (Uninest Hakusan House) – huge international building with shared and private rooms, cinema, rooftop, etc.
- University-affiliated residences and sharehouses around Hakusan/Myogadani.
“Bunkyo was perfect for my exchange: very safe, small restaurants everywhere, easy transport, but also lots of students around.”
Good for you if: You’re at Waseda, Toyo, Rikkyo, Meiji, TIU, etc. and want a student-heavy but fairly calm area that’s not too far from the center.
3.2. Kagurazaka & Waseda area: “French village meets student hood”
Kagurazaka (Shinjuku ward) is often described by students as a little “French quarter” with bakeries, cafés and narrow streets. It sits between Iidabashi, Waseda and central Tokyo.
“I lived in Kagurazaka in a 20m² studio, around 900€ per month. It’s quiet, very safe, and 20 minutes on foot from Waseda. 100% would recommend if you can afford it.”
“For Waseda, Kagurazaka is a great balance: not as crazy as Shinjuku, super charming, and still close to everything.”
Nearby, Waseda itself is a calmer “campus town” between Takadanobaba and Kagurazaka, with cheaper eateries and lots of students.
Good for you if: You’re at Waseda or Sophia and want central access + a charming neighborhood feel.
3.3. Shinjuku & Shibuya: “iconic, lively, expensive”
Shinjuku and Shibuya are the names everyone knows.
Shibuya is the global nightlife image of Tokyo – crossing, neon, clubs, and international bars. Shinjuku mixes skyscrapers, nightlife, and quieter residential pockets.
Rents in central Shibuya and Shinjuku wards are higher (average 1K studios ~¥70,000–¥90,000+ depending on exact area and building).
Students still find ways to live there:
A sharehouse near Shinjuku Akebonobashi, ~€640/month:
“Best location ever. Quiet residential street 15 minutes from Shinjuku, 20 minutes to Meiji. Tiny room, big shared space, and you walk out straight into amazing food and nightlife.”
Dormy+ Café in Nakano (one stop from Shinjuku), with private rooms and shared kitchens, was about €900/month but got rave reviews for location and modern facilities.
Most students, though, party in Shibuya/Shinjuku but live one or two neighborhoods away to keep rent lower.
“Nightlife: Shibuya and Shinjuku, always. 1OAK, Womb, Voyager, Atom… But I preferred sleeping somewhere quieter and cheaper, then commuting in.”
Good for you if: Budget is higher and you want to be right in the action – or if you find a smart compromise one or two stations away.
3.4. Ikebukuro, Rikkyo area
Ikebukuro (Toshima ward) is a major hub with:
- Rikkyo University’s main campus
- huge shopping streets and arcades
- easy train access in all directions
Students report:
“Ikebukuro is perfect to grab drinks, karaoke, wander in arcades, and it’s also where my campus was.”
Dorms and sharehouses around Shiki (one stop outside Tokyo in Saitama), Hakusan, and in northern wards are commonly used for Rikkyo students – often cheaper but 30–45 minutes from campus.
3.5. Suginami, Ogikubo & Nishi-Ogikubo: “quiet, local, great value”
Suginami ward, west of Shinjuku, is often described as green, residential, and creative, with great access to Shinjuku and the rest of the city.
Students living in Ogikubo or Nishi-Ogikubo (Chūō Line) say:
“I paid 460–500€ for a classic apartment in Ogikubo/Nishi-Ogikubo, around 15–25 minutes to Waseda/Shinjuku. Quiet, local shops, and easy train ride to the center.”
Another student lived in a women-only dorm in Suginami, 15 minutes by train from Shinjuku:
“Very safe, super clean, lovely staff. Only downside: curfew from midnight to 6 a.m., so you have to tell them if you won’t be back in time.”
Good for you if: You want a more local, calm Tokyo with cheaper rent but still one train away from Shinjuku.
3.6. Kasai & Edogawa: “residential east, longer commute, cheaper housing”
Kasai is in Edogawa ward, on the Tozai line towards Chiba. It’s more suburban and family-oriented, but trains to central Tokyo are fast: Kasai → Otemachi in about 15–20 minutes.
One Sophia student:
“I stayed in Kasai in a dorm-like Airbnb setup: about 580€/month with meals included, but 45 minutes from my university. Really cheap compared to central Tokyo, but the commute was the price to pay.”
Good for you if: Your budget is tight, you’re okay with longer commutes, and you like quieter, more residential surroundings.
3.7. Further out: Hachioji, Shiki, Yokohama, etc.
Some universities aren’t central Tokyo at all:
- Soka University is in Hachioji, about an hour from downtown.
- Some Rikkyo, Toyo, or other campuses are a bit outside the center.
- A few students even live in Yokohama or nearby cities and commute in.
“In Hachioji you’re 1h from Tokyo and close to nature. So many activities around, and you can still go into the city whenever you want.”
“Near Yokohama station my dorm cost 300€/month and was ‘cheap and cool’, but you feel the distance when you want to go out in Tokyo at night.”
Key idea: if your campus is outside Tokyo, decide whether you prefer:
- living near campus (easy for classes, much cheaper, more nature) and going to Tokyo for weekends
- or living in Tokyo and commuting a long way to class
4. Housing types: what’s really available (with real examples)
Let’s go through the main options you’ll actually see as an exchange student.
4.1. University residences & dorms
Many universities (Waseda, Meiji, Sophia, Rikkyo, Toyo, Soka, TIU, etc.) offer dorms or partnered residences.
Pros
- Often cheaper than the private market (examples around €200–€600/month).
- You get support in English and don’t have to navigate Japanese rental agencies.
- Big built-in social life: lots of international and/or Japanese students.
- Sometimes meals included (breakfast + dinner can save serious money and time).
Cons
- Can be far from central Tokyo (40+ minutes to Shibuya/Shinjuku).
- Rules: curfews, no guests in rooms, no alcohol in common areas, etc.
- You usually can’t choose your exact room or roommates.
Examples from students:
- Meiji Global Village – near Izumi campus: ~€550/month, breakfast + dinner, shared flat with 6 people, very clean, lots of events, but strict on guests.
- A women-only dorm in Suginami for Meiji: ~550 CAD/month, extremely safe, daily cleaning, but midnight curfew.
- Rikkyo dorms (e.g., Rikkyo Global House, International House): around 260€/month in Shiki with shared facilities, 40 minutes from Ikebukuro, great social life.
- Sophia University dorms like Dormy+ Café Nakano: modern studios with shared kitchen and breakfast, 20 minutes from campus, many internationals.
- Toyo International House: cheap rooms near campus, but one dorm was “too quiet, weird roommate, far from the center”; the other in Akabane was more lively.
If your uni offers housing, it’s often the easiest first option. You can always move later if it doesn’t fit.
4.2. Large international sharehouses & colivings
These are private residences designed for students/international young people. Think of them as dorms, but run by companies rather than universities.
Some names that keep coming back:
- Hakusan House (Uninest) in Bunkyo – uninest-japan.com
- Modern Living Tokyo – a platform with many shared and private apartments for foreigners: modernlivingjapan.com
- Sakura House – sharehouses and furnished apartments across Tokyo: sakura-house.com
- Xross House / X-House – sharehouses popular with Waseda students.
Students say:
“Hakusan House was expensive but my whole friend group came from there. Roof, cinema room, giant kitchens, events… you feel like you’re in a big international camp.”
“Modern Living Tokyo put me in a classic apartment in Ogikubo, 16 minutes by train from Waseda and 13 from Shinjuku. English support over WhatsApp, easy move-in, and quick help when something broke.”
Pros
- Fully furnished, move-in ready (big win if you stay one semester).
- English support, simple contracts.
- Strong international community; easy to meet people quickly.
- Often located in student-friendly areas (Bunkyo, Ikebukuro area, Suginami, etc.).
Cons
- Higher monthly rent than unfurnished local apartments.
- Less “local Japanese” immersion (more foreigners than locals).
- Some houses are very big and busy; can be noisy.
If you want maximum social life with minimal admin, these are usually your best bet.
4.3. Classic private apartments (1R / 1K / 1DK…)
This is the typical Japanese apartment you’ll see on sites like GaijinPot Apartments or RealEstate-Tokyo.
Quick vocabulary:
- 1R = one room with kitchenette (no separate kitchen)
- 1K = one main room + separate small kitchen
- 1DK / 1LDK = more space with a dining/living area
Typical 1K in the 23 wards: ¥65,000–¥100,000/month for 18–25 m².
Pros
- Full privacy and independence.
- You choose the exact neighborhood, building, size, etc.
- Feels like “real life in Tokyo” rather than a dorm.
Cons
High move-in costs. You often pay:
- 1–2 months’ rent as security deposit (shikikin)
- 0–1+ months as key money (reikin) – non-refundable “thank you” to landlord
- 1 month agency fee
- lock change, insurance, guarantor company fee → It’s common to pay 2–3 months’ rent upfront in total, sometimes more. ([JoynTokyo][16])
Contracts are usually 1–2 years; finding short-term (6-month) rentals is harder, though monthly serviced apartments exist.
Many agencies don’t speak much English.
Students who went this route often had help from local contacts, agencies that target foreigners, or platforms like Modern Living.
4.4. Airbnb / serviced apartments / “monthly mansions”
Some students book serviced apartments or extended-stay Airbnbs, especially when:
- university housing is full
- they want a private studio but don’t want massive upfront fees
- they stay only one semester
One Sophia student:
“I stayed in a dorm-like place in Kasai that was technically through an Airbnb/‘university dorm’ arrangement: about 580€/month, meals included, but 45 minutes from campus and the center.”
You’ll find these on:
- standard platforms (Airbnb, Booking, etc.)
- specialized monthly-rental sites or agencies
They can be more expensive per month, but often cheaper upfront because there’s no key money, no guarantor, and utilities are included.
5. How to actually find a place (with Studcasa)
Here’s a simple 3-step process that works well for exchange students.
Step 1 – Start with your university
Before diving into private platforms, check:
- Does your university offer dorms or partnered residences?
- Are there application deadlines or lotteries?
- How far are the dorms from your campus and from central Tokyo?
For example:
- Rikkyo, Meiji, Sophia, Waseda, Toyo and others all list housing options on their sites.
- Some dorms are very cheap but far (like Shiki or outer suburbs).
- Others, like Meiji Global Village or Rikkyo’s central dorms, are more expensive but insanely convenient.
If you get an offer for a well-located, reasonably priced dorm, strongly consider accepting it. Worst case, you move out later; best case, you start your exchange with built-in friends.
Step 2 – Use Studcasa properly (your unfair advantage)
You’re literally reading a guide powered by previous students. Use that strength.
On Studcasa:
Go to the Feedback tab for your Tokyo university.
Read the housing sections of a few students.
Write down:
- where they lived (ward + nearest station)
- what they paid
- what they liked/disliked
- links they shared (dorm sites, agencies, sharehouses)
Then do the most important thing:
Message 2–3 of them.
Send a short DM like:
“Hey, I’m coming to Waseda this fall and saw you lived in Hakusan House. How was the commute, the social life, and would you choose it again?”
Ask if:
- they’re leaving and their room will be free
- their building has space for new students
- they’d recommend living in that neighborhood for your campus
We see this every semester: students literally hand over apartments or dorm spots to the next cohort this way.
Also use the group chat:
- Tell people which uni you’re attending and your budget.
- Ask if anyone wants to share a flat or is already in a good sharehouse with free rooms.
- Don’t be shy; the most active people in the group end up with the best setups.
Step 3 – Check trusted platforms
Once you know roughly where you want to live and your budget, you can safely explore platforms without drowning.
Some that students actually use and mention:
Modern Living Tokyo – furnished shared and private apartments, English support, relatively foreigner-friendly. modernlivingjapan.com
Hakusan House / Uninest – big, social student residence in Bunkyo. uninest-japan.com
Sakura House – long-running company for sharehouses and apartments. sakura-house.com
Xross House / X-house – sharehouses aimed at students and young workers, including Waseda-oriented guides.
General rental portals for more “local” apartments (with higher move-in costs):
- GaijinPot Apartments
- RealEstate-Tokyo or similar expat agencies
Use your Studcasa conversations to sanity-check anything you find: share the link in the group, ask “Is this area okay?” and “Is this price normal?”
6. Transport & daily life: making your location work
6.1. IC cards, commuter passes & last trains
You will live on trains.
- Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card as soon as you land. You tap in/out and the fare is deducted automatically; you can also pay in konbini and many shops.
- Apply for a student commuter pass between your home station and campus station once you’re enrolled; you’ll need a certificate from your university.
- Most lines’ last trains are around midnight. If you miss it, taxis and late-night Ubers are expensive, especially from central to far suburbs.
Students’ strategies:
“Either catch the last train or assume you’re staying out till 5 a.m. when trains restart. Don’t plan on a cheap 3 a.m. ride home.”
“Get a commuter pass that goes through Shinjuku or Shibuya if possible. Then all the stations in between are basically ‘free’ for you.”
6.2. Cash, safety, and daily costs
A few Tokyo basics that matter for housing:
- Cash vs card – Japan is getting more cashless, but many small restaurants, temples, or old shops are still cash-only. Multiple students insist: “Cash is king here.”
- Safety – students, especially women, repeatedly describe Tokyo as extremely safe, including walking alone at night in most neighborhoods.
- Food – eating out can be cheaper than cooking if you stick to local spots: many students report full meals for ¥700–¥1,000 (€4–€6).
- Big costs – rent and transport. Once those are under control, daily life can feel cheaper than in many European cities.
7. How to choose: a few realistic scenarios
To make this concrete, here are a few “profiles” and what tends to work well.
7.1. “I want social life first, studies second”
- Target: big international sharehouse or dorm
- Areas: Bunkyo (Hakusan House), Shinjuku/Nakano sharehouses, Rikkyo dorms, Sophia dorms, Modern Living Tokyo sharehouses
- You’ll pay €600–€900, but meet people from day one.
- Pack earplugs; you may not sleep early.
7.2. “I want a calm, local neighborhood and a private room”
Target: classic apartment or small sharehouse in:
- Ogikubo / Nishi-Ogikubo / Suginami
- residential Bunkyo
- Kasai / Edogawa (cheaper but further)
Look on Modern Living Tokyo, Sakura House, or agencies that support foreigners.
Expect €500–€800 for 1R/1K, plus higher upfront fees for local contracts.
7.3. “My budget is tight, I don’t mind being a bit far”
- Target: university dorms a bit outside central Tokyo (Shiki, Suginami, Yokohama, etc.).
- You might find €200–€400/month rent, sometimes with meals.
- You’ll spend time on trains, but you’ll have a strong community on site.
7.4. “I’m only staying one semester and hate admin”
- Target: large coliving / sharehouse (Hakusan House, Modern Living, Sakura House) or serviced apartment.
- Pay a bit more monthly to avoid guarantor companies, key money, and buying furniture.
8. Japanese rental vocabulary & red flags
Even if you use university housing, you’ll run into some of these terms.
8.1. Key words
- 賃料 (chinryō) – rent
- 共益費 / 管理費 – building/maintenance fee (often added to rent)
- 敷金 (shikikin) – security deposit (1–2 months’ rent, usually partly refundable)
- 礼金 (reikin) – key money; non-refundable gift to landlord (0–2 months’ rent)
- 仲介手数料 – agency fee (typically 1 month’s rent)
- 保証会社 – guarantor company (you pay them a fee; they guarantee your rent)
If you’re staying less than a year, try to prioritize:
- zero-key-money places
- furnished options
- contracts that clearly allow early termination without massive penalties
8.2. Red flags (for exchange students)
Be cautious if:
- The landlord/agency refuses all foreign students (sadly still common).
- Contract length is 2 years with heavy penalty if you leave after one.
- They ask for cash under the table.
- The only available room is in a sharehouse with awful reviews or where you’d be the only non-Japanese person and you don’t speak any Japanese and you really want a social life.
- There is a strict curfew and you know you want to enjoy nightlife.
Use Studcasa students as your filter: if two or three of them independently say “this company is sketchy”, walk away.
9. Practical checklist before you book
Here’s a short checklist to go through for any place you seriously consider.
Location & commute
- ☐ How long door-to-door to campus? (Include walking + changes + waiting.)
- ☐ How long to Shibuya/Shinjuku/Ikebukuro for nightlife or friends?
- ☐ Is there a convenience store, supermarket, and basic restaurants within 5–10 minutes on foot?
- ☐ Is the area safe at night? (Ask previous students, Google Street View, check lighting.)
Housing & rules
- ☐ Are utilities and internet included? If not, what’s the estimated monthly cost?
- ☐ Is it furnished? (Bed, mattress, desk, chair, fridge, washing machine?)
- ☐ Any curfew? Guest policy? Alcohol policy?
- ☐ Who cleans common areas (you or staff)? How often?
- ☐ How many people share kitchen/bathroom?
Money & contract
- ☐ How many months of deposit + key money + fees up front?
- ☐ Minimum stay? Penalty if you leave early?
- ☐ Can you pay by card / bank transfer from abroad?
- ☐ Is there English support if something breaks?
Social life
- ☐ Are there other exchange / international students in the building?
- ☐ Are there shared spaces where people actually hang out (kitchen, lounge, rooftop)?
- ☐ Have previous Studcasa students recommended this exact place?
If a place passes this checklist and is praised by at least one or two students from your uni, you’re likely safe.
10. Timeline: what to do, and when
3–6 months before arrival
- Check uni housing deadlines and apply on time.
- Join your Studcasa group and introduce yourself (university, semester, rough budget).
- Start reading Feedback for your school and message a few students.
2–3 months before
- Shortlist 2–3 housing scenarios (e.g. dorm vs. sharehouse vs. apartment).
- Browse platforms (Modern Living, Sakura House, Uninest, etc.) to understand prices.
- If going for private housing, prepare documents (passport, CoE, maybe bank statements).
1–2 months before
- Confirm your spot in a dorm/sharehouse, or
- Start applying for apartments (agencies move quickly; places can be gone in days).
- Coordinate with future classmates in the Studcasa group: who lives near whom, any roommate plans.
Arrival week
- Pick up Suica/Pasmo and later your student commuter pass once enrolled.
- Walk your neighborhood: nearest konbini, supermarket, station exits, cheap eats.
- Say yes to everything the first weeks: dorm dinners, Waseda Connect events, karaoke, random izakaya invites.
Your housing choice will influence how easy all that becomes.
11. Final words from the Studcasa Team
Tokyo can feel overwhelming on a map, but when you zoom in to one neighborhood, one station, one building, it becomes surprisingly human.
From all the stories we’ve seen, a few truths repeat:
- There’s no single “right” neighborhood. Some students loved central Bunkyo, others loved quiet Ogikubo or suburban Suginami.
- Social environment beats square meters. A tiny room in a lively, friendly house often leads to a much better exchange than a big, isolated studio.
- Transport and last trains matter. Being close to a good station, with a commuter pass, makes the whole city yours.
- Talking to previous students changes everything. They know which options are gold and which ones to avoid.
So use your tools:
- Dive into the Feedback tab for Tokyo universities.
- DM students who lived in places you’re considering.
- Be active in the Studcasa group to find allies, roommates, and ideas.
If you do that, you won’t just “find a room”. You’ll build a home base for one of the most intense, fun, and memorable periods of your life.
Made with ❤️ by the Studcasa Team