EDIT: Aoyama, AKASAKA, Azabu. Not Asakusa.. sorry for the mistake, and I can’t change the title.
Hi everyone, I’m moving to Tokyo in about 6 months and am hoping some of you have experience and views about these three neighborhoods as I’m starting to look into finding housing.
I’m wondering what the lifestyle, style, and culture of these areas is like? Differences in access to the more useful trains/subways for getting around Tokyo? Quality/size of apartments? I’m from the US, male, 30 years old, and single. Speak Japanese about N3 only. Would like to live in an area with the most fun restaurants, bars, nightlife, good shopping. Basically I don’t want to move in and after 3-6 months realize more of any friends that I make or things I want to be doing are in a different area.. not knowing which areas I will like is making it hard to choose.
Office will be right near the Namboku Line and Ginza Line intersection, but I will often work from home or travel so that’s not the a critical factor for where I choose to live, these are all nearby.
Budget:
75万 / 756,000 Yen
(I have 6万 / 662,200 Yen a month for utilities so don’t need a place that includes these, but if it does that’s fine)
I’m single, just need housing for myself, but would like at least 2 bedrooms.
I’m bringing furniture as well so am looking for unfurnished. However, if anyone knows if most options are furnished, or the better options are, please let me know! I could always leave the furniture behind, but figure if I bring it and look for unfurnished I can get more for my money.
I have had these neighborhoods recommended by a college, and read more about the 3A areas here:
www.rethinktokyo.com/2018/08/08/3as-aoyama-akasaka-azabu-real-estate
www.realestate-tokyo.com/news/3a-areas/
7 comments
You can live anywhere you want and find just about any apartment you want. From your explanation it sounds like you have never been to Japan. I’d try to arrive and stay at the Ritz for a week and look at all the neighborhoods with an agent. What you are looking for is not an ordinary place and most Redditors won’t have a clue.
You put the wrong A in the title. I was wondering why someone would group Asakusa with Azabu and Aoyama.
Not that it isn’t a good area, but Akasaka and Asakusa are very different vibes.
These three areas have a lot of internal variability. Some streets are peaceful, others are lively and some are directly under a major freeway overpass. Do a search of properties in the three areas and then compare the immediate neighborhoods.
You’re talking about 3 areas that are contiguous and at the very core of “expatland” in a small zone, and you can pretty much walk from an area to another, it’ kind of “the same overall area”. It’s not the oldish, Showa, Shitamachi vibe, to say the least.
To paint with some very, very rough and wide brushes.
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* Akasaka
Probably the less “residential” area of the three, quite close to the political center of the country (a few more steps and you’re in Nagatacho/Kasumigaseki), a more “salaryman/adult” oriented nightlife near Akasakamitsuke (not that it’s bad) with shitton of bars / izakayas. A few couple ryotei still active.
* Aoyama
More “high-end” along Aoyamadori, smaller hipsterish eateries, and maybe a younger crowd.
* Azabu
The more varied of the 3. It’s technically not a neighborhood but 6, among which Roppongi. Roppongi is… Roppongi. The Southern side, around Arisugawa park, is probably the beating heart of rich expat families, very residential (the access is worse…), less eateries, less shopping, international schools, that sort of thing.
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With that budget anyway, you will have actually little choice but to live in an expat tower if you spend all. It’s more than what the residences for singles at Toranomon Hills cost…
Azabu, close to roppomgi, would be my pick. Fewest dead zones after 6pm, best restaurants. Aoyama is the quietest, and there are a few nice large parks and not too crowded. But honestly if I had my druthers and your budget I’d probably avoid all those neighborhoods, they’re a bit uptight, and get a condo overlooking Ikebukuro station, or at least somewhere on the brown line (Fukutoshin). Always something to do, great views, and every possible neighborhood convenience. If I wanted quiet I’d head out to Nakameguro. Again, ridiculously convenient, trendy, and walkable.
I used to live in minami aoyama not too far from the University. It’s nice and quiet there, you can easily walk to Omotesando/harajuku/Shibuya if you like walking, of course you can also just take train and arrive in a few minutes.
Your budget for rent is 750,000, or is that your entire living expenses for a month (less utilities)?