8 Overpriced Areas in Tokyo to Avoid: High Rent & Crowded Trains (2025 version)
“Tokyo dream vs. Tokyo reality. Don’t let your rent eat your future.”
Have you ever dreamed of living in Roppongi or Shibuya? It sounds like a movie scene. But here is the Reality of Japan: If you choose these “famous” areas without checking the data, you might end up paying 50% of your salary on rent or spending 2 hours a day in a train packed at 190% capacity.
Real estate agents won’t tell you this. They want their commission. But we want you to survive and thrive.
Based on data from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and current rent market stats, here are the 10 areas you should avoid if you value your money and mental health—and the “Smart Alternatives” where you should live instead.
The Evaluation Criteria
Why did we choose these 10? We analyzed them based on two “Misery Factors”:
- Financial Suicide (Rent-to-Income Ratio): Areas where rent exceeds ¥130,000 for a tiny 1K apartment.
- Commute Hell (Congestion Rate): Areas served by train lines with congestion rates over 150% (where you can’t even read a magazine).
Category 1: The “Expat Trap” (Brand Over Utility)
These areas are famous among foreigners, but the “Brand Tax” is too high.
1. Roppongi (Minato Ward)
- The Trap: It’s the center of nightlife and expat life. But unless your company pays your rent, living here is a financial trap. A 25㎡ apartment costs ¥140,000+. Supermarkets are priced for CEOs, not employees.
- The Reality: You will pay a premium for noise, drunk tourists, and sirens all night.
- 🥳 Smart Alternative: Azabu-Juban
- Why: Just a 10-minute walk or one station away. Still expensive, but more residential, quieter, and slightly cheaper.
- 🎁 Special Deal: If you register via the our buttons / link, you will receive 5,000 yen worth of points (PAO) to use for your rent!
2. Shibuya (Around the Station)
- The Trap: The world’s most famous crossing. Living here sounds cool, but it’s a concrete jungle. The rent is astronomical (¥135,000+ for a shoebox), and there are almost no normal supermarkets.
- The Reality: Your “living room” is the city, but your actual room is a closet.
- 🥳 Smart Alternative: Sangen-Jaya (Setagaya Ward)
- Why: Only 5 minutes by train to Shibuya. It has a charming “local vibe,” tons of great bars, and rent is about 20% cheaper.
- 🎁 Special Deal: If you register via the our buttons / link, you will receive 5,000 yen worth of points (PAO) to use for your rent!
Category 2: The “Commuter Hell” (Mental Health Risk)
The rent might be okay, but the train ride will crush your soul.
3. Toyosu (Koto Ward)
- The Trap: Famous for high-rise “Tower Mansions” and families. It looks modern and clean.
- The Reality: The Yurakucho Line during rush hour is a nightmare. The station infrastructure cannot handle the population explosion. You might wait for 2-3 trains just to get on the platform.
- 🥳 Smart Alternative: Monzen-Nakacho
- Why: Closer to central Tokyo (Otemachi), served by the Tozai line (also crowded, but shorter ride), and has a historic, down-to-earth atmosphere with great food.
- 🎁 Special Deal: If you register via the our buttons / link, you will receive 5,000 yen worth of points (PAO) to use for your rent!
4. Musashi-Kosugi (Kawasaki City)
- The Trap: Often ranked as a “desirable place to live” for its convenience. It has direct lines to Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Tokyo.
- The Reality: It is the victim of its own success. The station gets so crowded that restricted entry (lines outside the station) happens. It is arguably the most stressful station in the Greater Tokyo Area.
- 🥳 Smart Alternative: Motosumiyoshi
- Why: Just one stop away. It has a fantastic shopping street (Shotengai) and is much more peaceful.
- 🎁 Special Deal: If you register via the our buttons / link, you will receive 5,000 yen worth of points (PAO) to use for your rent!
Category 3: The “Overhyped Suburbs” (Bad Cost-Performance)
Far from the center, yet surprisingly expensive.
5. Kichijoji (Musashino City)
- The Trap: Consistently voted #1 “Place Japanese People Want to Live.” It has Inokashira Park and great shopping.
- The Reality: Because it’s #1, landlords charge a “Kichijoji Premium.” Rents are higher than some parts of central Tokyo (¥90,000+), despite being 20 minutes away from Shinjuku on the crowded Chuo Line.
- 🥳 Smart Alternative: Mitaka
- Why: Mitaka is just one stop further but is the starting station for the Chuo/Sobu Line (you can sit!).
- 🎁 Special Deal: If you register via the our buttons / link, you will receive 5,000 yen worth of points (PAO) to use for your rent!
6. Futako-Tamagawa (Setagaya Ward)
- The Trap: Known as the “Beverly Hills” of the riverside. Very rich, very fancy malls.
- The Reality: The Den-en-toshi Line is notoriously delayed and crowded. If you work in Shibuya/Otemachi, you will hate your commute.
- 🥳 Smart Alternative: Mizonokuchi (Kawasaki)
- Why: Just across the river. The address changes to “Kanagawa Prefecture” so rent drops significantly, but you are physically very close.
- 🎁 Special Deal: If you register via the our buttons / link, you will receive 5,000 yen worth of points (PAO) to use for your rent!
Category 4: The “Tourism & Chaos” (Not for Living)
Great to visit, terrible to sleep.
7. Asakusa (Taito Ward)
- The Trap: Living next to Senso-ji Temple sounds romantic.
- The Reality: It is flooded with tourists 365 days a year. Prices for lunch are “tourist prices.” The Tsukuba Express is deep underground and expensive.
- 🥳 Smart Alternative: Kuramae
- Why: Known as “Tokyo’s Brooklyn.” Trendy cafes, riverside views, walkable to Asakusa but quiet and residential.
- 🎁 Special Deal: If you register via the our buttons / link, you will receive 5,000 yen worth of points (PAO) to use for your rent!
8. Kabukicho / Shinjuku Station Area
- The Trap: Convenience. You are in the heart of everything.
- The Reality: It is dirty, noisy, and has higher crime rates than other areas. Not recommended for families or single women.
- 🥳 Smart Alternative: Sasazuka
- Why: Just 5-10 minutes by taxi or train/bus from Shinjuku, but completely safe and residential.
- 🎁 Special Deal: If you register via the our buttons / link, you will receive 5,000 yen worth of points (PAO) to use for your rent!
Conclusion: Don’t Buy the Hype
Tokyo is amazing, but only if you play the game smart. Avoiding these 10 areas doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them.
It means you visit them on weekends but live somewhere that protects your wallet and sanity.
Key Takeaway:
- Don’t live in the “Famous” station. Live 1-2 stops away.
- Check the train line. Avoid the JR Saikyo lines and Den-en-toshi lines during rush hour if possible.
- Check your Real Salary. Can you really afford ¥120,000 rent?
What to do next?
- Find “Foreigner-Friendly” Housing: Don’t get rejected by traditional landlords. Use services that specialize in expats. Recommended Housing Service – Oakhouse –
- Check your real “Take-home Pay” with our real salary tool: Before you sign a lease, see how much tax will be deducted.
