Where to Live in Japan Based on Your Commute

In Japan, many people choose where to live based on the trip to work or school. Trains run often and on time, but they are crowded at rush hour, and every change of train adds time and stress. So the question to ask is not “how far away is it?” but “can I get there without changing trains?”

The short answer

• Look for a direct train. One train with no changes is usually easier than a shorter trip with two changes.
• Compare trips door to door. Count the walk at both ends, not only the time on the train. In a big city, long trips are common.
• Check the direction. Trains toward the city center are packed in the morning, and trains the other way are far less crowded.
• Check the last train if you work or study late. Trains do not run all night, and the last one is often around midnight, so look up the time for your own line.

How commuting works here

Many employers pay for a commuter pass (teikiken), a season ticket for one route between two stations, but the rules differ from company to company, so ask what yours covers. Students can buy the same kind of pass at a discount once their school gives them a certificate. A pass covers only that one route, so a trip on another line costs extra. This is one more reason to prefer a single direct line over a slightly shorter trip with changes.

Living near the first station on a line can mean a seat for the whole ride, even when the trip is longer. Rents one or two stations away from a big hub are often lower than at the hub itself, and the trip takes only a little longer.

Popular stations and where to live

Each page below lists share houses on lines that reach that station without a change. The rent shown is for the cheapest room in each house, so you can compare areas quickly.

Shinjuku

The world’s busiest station, with offices, shops, and many language schools nearby. We list 86 share houses with a direct train. In a typical house, the cheapest room costs about ¥50,000 a month. See share houses with a direct train to Shinjuku.

Shibuya

A hub for IT and creative companies, and a shopping and nightlife district. We list 43 share houses with a direct train. In a typical house, the cheapest room costs about ¥54,000 a month. See share houses with a direct train to Shibuya.

Ikebukuro

A northern hub with many schools, and cheaper rents along the lines that run from it. We list 59 share houses with a direct train. In a typical house, the cheapest room costs about ¥50,000 a month. See share houses with a direct train to Ikebukuro.

Tokyo Station and Otemachi

The main business district, including Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Nihonbashi. We list 49 share houses with a direct train. In a typical house, the cheapest room costs about ¥49,500 a month. See share houses with a direct train to Tokyo Station and Otemachi.

Shinagawa

Offices and the gateway to Haneda Airport and the Shinkansen. We list 34 share houses with a direct train. In a typical house, the cheapest room costs about ¥52,000 a month. See share houses with a direct train to Shinagawa.

Yokohama

The center of Kanagawa, with lower rents than central Tokyo. We list 39 share houses with a direct train. In a typical house, the cheapest room costs about ¥53,000 a month. See share houses with a direct train to Yokohama.

Osaka and Umeda

The main business and shopping district of Osaka, around Osaka and Umeda stations. We list 22 share houses with a direct train. In a typical house, the cheapest room costs about ¥45,000 a month. See share houses with a direct train to Osaka and Umeda.

If you are coming to study

Japanese language schools are found across the big cities, and in Tokyo many of them are in areas such as Takadanobaba, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro. Universities are spread more widely still, in the suburbs as well as the center. Ask your school which station you will use every day, and then look for the lines that reach it without a change. The school office can also tell you where other students live and how long their trip takes.

Before you decide

• Try the trip once at the time of day you would travel, if you are already in Japan.
• Count the walk. A ten-minute walk at each end adds twenty minutes to your day.
• Look at the whole cost. A cheaper room far from the center can cost more once you add the trips your pass does not cover.
• Ask the house about the nearest station and how long the walk takes. Our inquiry message builder can write the question for you.

To compare move-in costs, use our move-in cost calculator. To see what to check in the house itself, read our guide: How to Choose a Share House in Japan: 8 Things to Check.