Surrounded by the foreign embassy and ex-pat dense neighborhoods of Azabu to the south and Akasaka to the north, Roppongi is a district famous for its iconic nightlife sceneand more recently the upmarket Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown mega-complexes.
Roppongi is a unique mix of down-market and up-market.
This is where locals and foreigners go to party the night away, but it is also home to Tokyo’s most luxurious urban re-development projects and some of the city’s most expensiveresidential real estate.
Hundreds offoreigner-friendly bars, clubs, and restaurants are packed into several hectic square blocks roughly bordered by the upscale developments of Roppongi Hills to the west, Tokyo Midtown to the north, and the ARK Hills buildings and the Tokyo Metro Namboku subway line to the east.
Roppongi’s association with the international community began after WWII when the US military and Allied government officials occupied a number of facilities in the neighborhood.
Starting in the late 1960s, Roppongi became a hub for Tokyo’s entertainment elite and both Japanese and foreigners flocked to the area for its night scene; and its reputation as a foreigner-friendly area grew as many embassies and headquarters of international corporations were established in the area.
When the bubble burst in the late 1980s many of Roppongi’s small clubs and restaurants were forced to shut down.
One face of Roppongi is the iconic club and bar scene.
Roppongi’s character changed significantly starting in the early 2000s when the Izumi Garden Tower and Roppongi Hills complexes were completed in 2002 and 2003, respectively. These developments brought high-end office and condominium space to Roppongi for the first time.
The newerface of Roppongi is symbolized by the Roppongi Hills complex, an expansive (27-acre [100,000-sqm+]) development that includes the offices of many top-tier international companies, an art museum, a cinema, scores of luxury retail shops and marquee restaurants, and a direct connection to Roppongi Station. Photo: find-travel.jp
Roppongi has also developed a reputation as a cultural center. The National Art Center is Japan’s largest art museum, and together with Roppongi Hills’ Mori Art Museum and Tokyo Midtown’s Suntory Museum of Art form the Art Triangle Roppongi.
The National Art Center in Roppongi, Tokyo. Photo: Wikimedia
These complexes, along with Tokyo Midtown, which opened in 2006, has changed the face of Roppongi from not just a nighttime entertainment district but to anupmarket retail, leisure and residential neighborhood that is home to some of the city’s top international companies.
Average Rent in Roppongi
Given its central location and the attractions of Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi is a highly desirable place to live among both locals and ex-patriates. This is reflected in the average rent level in the neighborhood.
According to HOME’S, the average rent for an apartment near Roppongi(as of October2016) is:
- Studio (1R, 1K, 1DK): ¥136,100 ($1,361 @ 100 JPY = 1 USD)
- 1BR to 2BR (1LDK, 2K, 2DK): ¥241,000 ($2,410)
- 2BR to 3BR (2LDK, 3K, 3DK): ¥428,000 ($4,280)
- 3BR to 4BR (3LDK, 4K, 4DK): ¥477,500 ($4,775)
Roppongi “Super” Budget Apartments
Relatively high average rent in Roppongi does not mean that budget housing options cannot be found here.
If you want to be live in Ropongi on a limited budget, you can, if you are willing to make do with relatively spartan accommodations. Shared apartments and guesthouses in the area, for example, can be had for under ¥50,000 ($500) a month.
Please see our listing pages for budget Roppongi apartments.
Guesthouses are a budget-friendly way to live in Roppongi. You give up a little privacy for being able to live in an excellent location. This is a shared bedroom in the XRoss House located in Moto Azabu, about a 15-minute walk from Roppongi. Monthly rent is ¥36,000 ($360) a month for a bunk room. Please click on the photo for the full listing.
Roppongi Apartments For Rent: Mid-Range
There are more options available in the ¥60,000 to ¥100,000 ($600 to $1000) a month range, but as detailed above, this budget wouldstill be under the average rent for a studio apartment near Roppongi.
In this price range, you will be looking at smaller (around 15-sqm) studio apartments or even larger (between 20- and 25-sqm) units in older buildings. Some of these units will have been renovated, so it is often worth taking a look at the apartment itself and to not rely completely on the age of the building.
Also, you may find that landlords have no compunction about charging “key money” even for smaller, older apartments in Roppongi because of the desirability of the neighborhood.
Please listings for mid-range Roppongi apartments.
Example of a mid-range studio apartment for rent in Roppongi. This is a 26.62-sqm apartment for rent, 10-min walk from Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line. Rent is ¥90,000 a month, with 1 month deposit, 1 month key money, 1 month agency fee. Please click on the photo for the full listing.
Roppongi Apartments: Upper-Middle Range
In Tokyo, apartments renting between ¥100,000 and ¥200,000($1,000 to $2,000)are generally consideredmid-range to upper-mid range, but as theaveragerent for a studio apartment inRoppongi is ¥136,100, it makes sense to adjust expectations accordingly when looking at apartments in Roppongi.
In general, in this price range, you will see listings for larger studio and 1-bedroom apartments in relatively newer buildings, built with higher quality materials and facilities, especially if your budget is at least ¥150,000.
Please see listings for upper-mid range Roppongi apartments here.
This is an example of an upper-mid range apartment for rent in Roppongi. This is a 29.2-sqm (314-sqft) studio apartment for rent, on the 9th floor of a ten-story building. It is located 3-min from Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line. Rent is ¥200,000 a month, with a 2-month deposit and 1-month agency fee. Please click on the photo for the full listing.
Luxury Roppongi Apartments
Generally, rental apartments in Tokyo are considered high-end if they rent for ¥200,000 ($2,000 @ 1USD = 100 JPY) a month or above.
Because the rental market in Roppongi is skewed to the high-end, the upper limit of what landlords charge for rent in Roppongi may seem astronomical, but keep in mind that these apartments are, in fact, in demand by tenants who can affordapartments in the ¥1 million ($10,000)and above range.
This is especially true of apartments in flagshipbuildings, such as the Roppongi Hills Residence development.
As of the post date of this article, the listing with the highest rent in Roppongi in Real Estate Japan’s database is a 4-bedroom apartment in the Roppongi Hills Residence C Tower. This apartment rents for ¥3,380,000 ($32,500) a month. See the full listing for this apartment here.
The Roppongi Hills Residence C Tower is considered by many Tokyoites to be the premier place to live and workin the city because of its many amenities, including, of course, its location in the Roppongi Hills Complex. A 4-bedroom apartment on the 40th floor of this 45-story luxury condo towerrents for about $32,500 a month. Please click on the photo for the full listing.
See listings for luxury Roppongi apartments.
Roppongi Hills Residence
A guide to living in Roppongi would not be complete without a special mention of the Roppongi Hills Residences, located in the Roppongi Hills complex. The residences consist of four buildings.Residences A andB have apartments that are sometimesavailable on the “for sale” market. Residence C is only for rent, and Residence D is a serviced apartment complex.
The famous 10-meter high bronze spider “Maman” sculpture in Roppongi Hills. About half of the area of Roppongi Hills consists of gardens, pavilions, and other open spaces. The Mori Garden, an elaborate and authentic Japanese garden complete with a pond and trees has proven popular with both residents and visitors.
Some of the amenities available to residents of theRoppongi Hills Residence C Tower include24-hourbilingual concierge staff, a doorman, porter, access to the Roppongi Hills Spa and gym, in-house doctor, sky lounge, rooftop gardens and guest suites.
Buying an Apartment in Roppongi
Properties for sale in Roppongi range from luxury apartments in newer high-end developments to re-sale renovated and un-renovated condominiums in older buildings and investment-income studio apartments.
Below are examples of the kinds of apartments currently on the market in Roppongi.
LuxuryApartments For Sale in Roppongi
This is a brand new (2016) 138-sqm (1,485-sqft) 2-bedroom apartment for sale in the Foretseine Akasaka Hinokizaka building. List price is ¥410 million ($3.95 million). Please click on the photo to see the full listing, including many more photos.
Apartments For Sale in Roppongi
Example of a renovated apartment for sale in an older building. This is a 4-sqm 1-bedroom apartment for sale in an older (1970) building. List price is ¥33,490,000 ($322,700). Please click on the photo for the full listing.
Investment Properties For Sale in Roppongi
This is an example of a income-producing investment property for sale in Roppongi. An 18-sqm studio apartment in this building is being offered “for sale” for ¥12.5 million ($120,500). Estimated gross yield is 6.7%. Please click on the photo for the full listing.
FAQs
Is Roppongi a good place to live? ›
Living in Roppongi can be pricey, but since Tokyo has a well-developed train and subway network, it is possible to live in an area that offers convenient access to the district. Many of these areas also provide good access to major stations like Shinjuku and Shibuya, and are relatively safer in terms of reported crime.
What does the average Japanese home look like? ›Traditional Japanese homes are made of wood and supported by wooden pillars, but today's homes usually have Western-style rooms with wooden flooring and are often constructed with steel pillars. More and more families in urban areas, moreover, live in large, ferroconcrete apartment buildings.
How much is rent in Japan in USD? ›Average Rent in Japan
Prices in the capital range from a single room in shared housing for about 20,000 JPY (190 USD) per month to over 150,000 JPY (1,400 USD) for a private apartment. The average amount for a two-bedroom unit is a little over 200,000 JPY (1,870 USD) monthly.
The nationwide average monthly rent, not including utilities, for a one room apartment (20-40 square meters) is between 50,000 and 70,000 yen. Rent for similarly sized apartments in central Tokyo and popular neighbourhoods nearby usually start from around 100,000 yen.
What is the friendliest city in Japan? ›Osaka locals pride themselves on being the friendliest people in Japan, this is great for making friends or even if you just find yourself lost and need directions.
Why is Roppongi famous? ›Roppongi (六本木, lit. "six trees") is a district in Tokyo that is well known as the city's most popular nightlife district among foreigners, offering a large number of foreigner-friendly bars, restaurants and night clubs.
Do Japanese houses get cold? ›Unlike buildings in large parts of the United States, Europe and even neighboring South Korea, Japanese houses, apartments and office blocks typically do not have any form of central or underfloor heating. They are as chilly as cellars from November through to March.
What do people eat for breakfast in Japan? ›The traditional Japanese breakfast typically includes steamed rice, miso soup, egg dishes such as tamagoyaki (a rolled omelette), protein-rich side dishes like grilled fish with grated daikon radish and soy sauce or boiled eggs, pickles such as umeboshi plums or takuan (daikon radish), seaweed salad and green tea.
What is the average Japanese salary? ›What is the average salary in Japan? The short answer is very simple. According to Doda, the yearly average salary in Japan in 2021 is 4,530,000 Yen/ 41,000 USD.
Is it cheaper to live in Japan or USA? ›In the US, the average price per square foot to buy a residence in the city center is around $335, whereas in Japan a comparable figure is $760. This is an approximate 57% increase. However, on the whole, house prices are generally lower in Japan than the US, especially since the Covid pandemic.
What is a good salary in Japan? ›
The average monthly salary for employees in Japan can range from approximately 130,000 JPY (1,128 USD) to 2,300,000 JPY (19,963 USD). Note: The upper range of salaries is the highest average and not the maximum salary Japanese people earn.
Can Americans retire in Japan? ›Bottom Line. Japan is a stunning destination and highly sought after by Americans who want to retire abroad. It is very difficult to gain residency in Japan, but if you do, it can be a great place to retire. The healthcare system is one of the best in the world.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Japan? ›...
Cost of Living Expenses.
| Food | ¥38,257 |
|---|---|
| Other expenses | ¥6,576 |
| Excess entertainment expenses | ¥12,934 |
| Total expenditures | ¥148,351 |
The average monthly wage for full-time workers in Japan amounted to approximately 307.4 thousand Japanese yen in 2021.
How much is minimum wage in Japan? ›The current minimum wage is 931 yen (national weighted average). The average will rise to 961 yen (7.30 US dollars) for the 2023 fiscal year starting on 1 April 2023. This increase comes among heightened inflation and the commitment of prime minister Kishida to higher wages.
What is considered rude in Japan? ›Pointing at people or things is considered rude in Japan. Instead of using a finger to point at something, the Japanese use a hand to gently wave at what they would like to indicate. When referring to themselves, people will use their forefinger to touch their nose instead of pointing at themselves.
What is the cleanest city in Japan? ›The cleanest city in Japan is Obihiro, Hokkaido with a recorded level of 24 whichclassifies it as being “Good”. In 2008, Obihiro was designated a "modelenvironmental city" in Japan.
Who owns Roppongi? ›Roppongi Property was acquired by the Philippine government on 27 June 1958 through the 1956 Reparations Agreement between the Philippines and Japan.
Why is it called Roppongi? ›The name Roppongi, which appears to have been coined around 1660, literally means "six trees". Six very old and large zelkova trees used to mark the area; the first three were cleared, and the last were destroyed during World War II.
Who controls Roppongi? ›Japanese Voice
The Haitani Brothers control Roppongi.
Do Japanese go barefoot in the house? ›
The Japanese have a lot of rules regarding footwear. Basically, you are expected to go barefoot in Japan pretty much anywhere inside.
Do Japanese houses have showers? ›The bathroom in a typical Japanese home consists of two rooms, an entrance room where you undress and which is equipped with a sink, and the actual bathroom which is equipped with a shower and a deep bath tub. The toilet is usually located in an entirely separate room.
How long are Japanese houses built to last? ›Unlike in other countries, homes in Japan rapidly depreciate over time, becoming nearly valueless 20-30 years after they were built. If someone moves out of a home before that time frame, the house is seen as having no value and is demolished in favor of the land, which is seen as being high in value.
How do Japanese stay so thin? ›They eat nutritious foods in each meal that includes carbohydrate, animal protein, vegetable protein, healthy fat, vitamins, and minerals. Thus, they enjoy eating rice, fish, soy, vegetables, fruit, and green tea without sugar.
What do Japanese say before they eat? ›Before eating, Japanese people say "itadakimasu," a polite phrase meaning "I receive this food." This expresses thanks to whoever worked to prepare the food in the meal.
What is the most common lunch in Japan? ›Various rice bowls and noodle dishes are popular for lunch. For example, ramen, soba, udon, and gyudon beef bowls are popular. Many people take bento lunch boxes to school or work. Dinner is usually the main meal of the day and can range from sushi to tori katsu, which is like a chicken cutlet.
What is the highest paying job in Japan? ›- Risk Analyst. If you have a head for business and problem-solving, becoming a risk analyst is the ideal career move for you. ...
- Executive Management. ...
- IT Professional. ...
- Business Analyst. ...
- Doctor. ...
- Engineer. ...
- Translator/Interpreter. ...
- Lawyer.
| Taxable income band ¥ | National income tax rates |
|---|---|
| 1,950,001 to 3,300,000 | 10% |
| 3,300,001 to 6,950,000 | 20% |
| 6,950,001 to 9,000,000 | 23% |
| 9,000,001 to 18,000,000 | 33% |
But how do you define a rich person in Japan? According to Atsushi Miura, who last year published a book titled “The New Rich,” the financial industry considers a person to be wealthy if their yearly income is over ¥30 million and they have assets of at least ¥100 million.
What is the safest neighborhood in Tokyo? ›Top 3 Areas in Tokyo with the Lowest Number of Violent Crimes. Places one and to go to Ota and Minato Ward, defined by Haneda Airport and Odaiba with the Tokyo Bay area respectively. These are areas where few people live and even though they do get crowded with people, violent crimes are few.
What is the safest city in Japan? ›
Kyoto is one of the most beautiful and safest places to live in. It is the capital of Kyoto prefecture in Japan. It is located in the Kansai region on the main island of Honshu. Out of 1.5 Million people, 21,000 crimes were reported, which makes the crime rate about 1.45%.
What is the number 1 crime in Japan? ›The majority of crimes recorded in Japan are theft offenses. Among violent crimes, the most reported offenses are assaults and bodily injuries followed by rapes and homicides. Approximately 21.9 cases of assault and 0.7 cases of murder were recorded per 100,000 Japanese inhabitants in 2020.
Which area in Japan has the highest crime? ›Osaka has the highest crime rates in Japan. The Okinawan prefecture is home to 74% of all US bases in the country and around 26 thousand military personnel. This heavy military occupation is the cause of a rise in crime on the island.
Where do wealthy people live in Tokyo? ›High class residential areas in uptown Tokyo such as Hiroo, Azabu, Shoto, Akasaka, and Takanawadai are known throughout Japan as prestigious areas within Tokyo. A common feature among most of these areas is being located at the top of hills–in the center of Tokyo–with nice views in quiet living environments.
Where is the best place for foreigners to live in Japan? ›Also, most importantly, Tokyo is more welcoming to foreigners than other cities in Japan. You'll find English-speaking people in low numbers wherever you go in Japan, but there are definitely more in Tokyo.
What is the cleanest area in Japan? ›The cleanest city in Japan is Obihiro, Hokkaido with a recorded level of 24 whichclassifies it as being “Good”. In 2008, Obihiro was designated a "modelenvironmental city" in Japan.
Which city is best for retirement in Japan? ›- Tokyo. A city that mixes the ultramodern and the traditional, full of nightlife, culture, historic temples, and neon-lit skyscrapers, the capital of Japan will give you the best experience. ...
- Kyoto. ...
- Yokohama. ...
- Osaka. ...
- Fukuoka.
Welcome to Hatoyama New Town, a residential project that's no longer very new, and a neighborhood that's home to approximately half the population of its namesake town of Hatoyama, a small municipality in central Saitama Prefecture that's been labeled the happiest town in Japan.
Where do Americans live in Japan? ›...
AMERICAN RESIDENTS IN JAPAN.
| Rank | 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Prefectures | Okinawa | |
| American Residents in Japan | Amount | 2,530人 |
| per 10000 Population | 17.47 | |
| Standard Score | 99.67 | |
In the US, the average price per square foot to buy a residence in the city center is around $335, whereas in Japan a comparable figure is $760. This is an approximate 57% increase. However, on the whole, house prices are generally lower in Japan than the US, especially since the Covid pandemic.
What part of Tokyo has the most foreigners? ›
The majority of expats tend to congregate in Minato-ku ward in South Tokyo. Minato-ku is also home to many embassies and multinational firms. Due to this, it is a very convenient place for foreigners. There are a vast array of Westernised restaurants in the area, as well as two large international grocery stores.
What are the biggest problems in Tokyo? ›Tokyo is facing overpopulation as it attracts people from other areas of Japan and this is also causing a housing shortage in numerous parts of the city.