Best Areas in Tokyo Known for Large Apartment Complexes

Supervised By: 카자토 히로키

Real Estate Expert

Tokyo might be known for its compact apartments and crowded neighborhoods, but there are plenty of spots in the city that offer a different vibe. Some areas feature big apartment complexes with more space, modern perks, and well-planned communities. These neighborhoods are super popular with families, young pros, expats, and anyone wanting convenience without giving up comfort.

Some large developments offer luxury waterfront towers with spectacular views, while others provide extensive residential buildings surrounded by nature, educational institutions, and shopping centers. For those searching for rentals or condos for lease, these areas offer the best of Tokyo in terms of large apartment communities.

In this article, you will learn about the characteristics of each community and discover four of Tokyo’s most fascinating districts with large apartment complexes.

Overview

When people think of apartments in Tokyo, the first image that comes to mind is a small studio in a narrow street. However, the capital of Japan offers many large residential buildings that can accommodate thousands of residents.

There are several types of large apartment communities in Tokyo, including:

Tower Mansions 

In Japan, Tower Mansions are high-end condominiums that can extend beyond 20 floors and have exceptional amenities such as concierge services, fitness centers, lounges, children’s playrooms, and security systems. These developments are typically located near the main stations or along Tokyo Bay, where tower mansions have been built as a result of extensive redevelopments.

UR (Urban Renaissance) Housing 

UR Housing is a brand that offers high-quality rental housing throughout Japan. By eliminating the need for key money or guarantors, these buildings are a popular choice among families, young people, and even foreign residents. Many of these large-scale developments include beautiful landscapes, parks, playgrounds, supermarkets, and easy access to the metro.

Danchi 

Danchi are large-scale apartment complexes originally built to resolve Japan’s postwar housing crisis. Most danchi were constructed during the 1950s and have undergone significant renovations in recent years. While many danchi are considered obsolete, these neighborhoods are now regarded as desirable hubs with more space than traditional Tokyo apartments and excellent amenities such as kindergartens and sports grounds.

Large-scale Condominium Communities 

Modern developments enable a mix of high-rise apartment buildings, extensive parks, children’s playrooms, shopping centers, medical facilities, and public plazas ideal for strolls or recreational activities in the evening.

Koto Ward (Toyosu, Ariake, Shinonome)

The Koto Ward is one of the most prominent areas in Tokyo, as it has evolved from a former warehouse district into a thriving residential area with luxury tower condos lining the bay. Most of these developments have spectacular views of the bay and offer an exceptional blend of comfort and convenience.

Most buildings in Toyosu, Ariake, and Shinonome exceed 40 floors and have cutting-edge amenities typically found in luxury hotels such as concierge services, business lounges, fitness centers, gyms, rooftops, children’s playrooms, and private gardens. For families, Toyosu offers an excellent selection of high-standard educational institutions, shops, medical facilities, and parks. The large-scale development of Lalaport Toyosu is one of the district’s most popular areas, as it combines shopping, dining, and entertainment in one accessible location.

In addition, local transport infrastructures are well-developed, connecting this area to Ginza, Tokyo Station, and other business districts via Tokyo Metro and Yurikamome lines. Most of these new buildings have large-scale, modern, safe, and high-standard apartments.

Best for: Families, young professionals, buyers seeking new condos, and those interested in waterfront living.

Chuo Ward (Harumi, Kachidoki, Tsukishima)

The Chuo Ward is located on the eastern shore of the Sumida River and is famous for its high-end residential buildings. Harumi, Kachidoki, and Tsukishima are three of the most popular neighborhoods offering luxury tower mansions along the Bay. In addition, the area has excellent public transport infrastructure with major railway lines connecting Tokyo to the neighboring prefectures.

This development offers some of the tallest buildings in the country with spectacular views of the bay and the capital’s skyline. Similar to the Koto Ward, large-scale residential buildings in Harumi, Kachidoki, and Tsukishima have a wide range of amenities from concierge services and sky lounges to fitness centers and libraries. At the same time, the traditional charm of old Tokyo has been preserved in this district, exemplified by the local Monja Street in Tsukishima.

Best for: Young professionals, couples, investors, and luxury high-rise condo seekers.

Shinagawa Ward (Konan and Osaki)

Shinagawa is a mecca of mixed-use development, featuring residential buildings, office towers, and shopping malls grouped together to create complete communities with everything needed for day-to-day living. This area offers large high-rise developments alongside parks, sports centers, and other amenities for families.

Konan is a popular neighborhood with high-rise buildings offering spectacular views of Tokyo Bay, while Osaki offers a more residential character with pedestrian-friendly streets and an abundance of shopping malls and office buildings. Excellent transport links, including the Yamanote line and Shinkansen rail links, ensure that getting to and from this district is relatively straightforward.

Best for: Corporate workers, expats, business travelers, and those seeking new developments.

Tama New Town (Tama City, Hachioji City, Inagi City)

Tama New Town is a large-scale development project spanning several cities on the outskirts of Tokyo. First introduced in the 1960s, this less-known district was designed to accommodate hundreds of thousands of residents in spacious communities with excellent amenities such as parks, schools, and shops.

Compared to the capital, Tama New Town offers more space, a lower population density, and a relaxed suburban atmosphere. At the same time, excellent transportation links, including extensive rail networks, ensure easy access to the city center. Tama New Town is a great choice for those seeking larger apartments or houses while still being within commuting distance of Tokyo.

Most of the area has been developed using large-scale apartment buildings interspersed with sports centers, parks, and convenience stores, creating an excellent balance between suburban living and the convenience of the city. Another advantage of this district is that it offers a wide range of housing options from large-scale residential buildings to newer danchi with renovated interiors and modern amenities.

Best for: Families, locals, or those seeking large-scale developments and suburban-style living with parks and sports facilities.

Nerima Ward (Hikarigaoka)

Hikarigaoka is one of Tokyo's most sought after planned districts with large apartment buildings, plenty of green belts, and a suburban feel.

Unlike the downtown areas, Hikarigaoka was specifically designed to have plenty of open space. Wide streets, sidewalks, and parks contribute to the feeling of space that makes the area feel less dense than the business district. Hikarigaoka Park is a large park at the center of the development where residents can jog, play sports, have picnics, and more.

The area has plenty of large-scale apartment buildings, including many UR Housing, public, condos, and rentals, many of which were planned with nearby schools, hospitals, shops, childcare facilities, and convenience stores.

With Hikarigaoka Station at the edge of the development on the Toei Oedo Line, getting to downtown Tokyo is straightforward. The commute to the business district may be long, but many people are willing to sacrifice time for a more spacious dwelling.

Compared to downtown Tokyo, housing in Hikarigaoka is reasonably priced with large floor space, making it particularly desirable for those with families.

Best for: Families, first-time buyers, long-term residency, and larger, more affordable apartments.

Edogawa Ward (Kasai and Nishi-Kasai)

In the eastern part of Tokyo, Kasai and Nishi-Kasai offer large-scale apartment living to those seeking more space than is typical in the center of the capital. This area has many developments with large-scale apartment buildings from the 70s and 80s, which are now seeing renewed interest in the form of condos, UR Housing, apartments, and other housing options.

Compared to Tokyo Station or the areas around Shibuya, Kasai and Nishi-Kasai generally offer far more space for the price.

The area has excellent everyday convenience with large-scale supermarkets and shops, medical facilities, parks, schools, sports centers, and community centers. The Kasai Rinkai Park is also close, offering nature trails, beaches, an aquarium, and recreation space by Tokyo Bay.

Nishi-Kasai, in particular, has an international community, including many Indian residents, and offers Indian specialty shops, eateries, and schools. The Tokyo Metro Tozai Line provides easy access to Nihonbashi, Otemachi, and the business district.

Best for: Families, foreign residents, professional commuters, and value-conscious buyers.

Katsushika Ward (Kameari and Kanamachi)

For those seeking value with space, Kameari and Kanamachi are worth considering. These two cities in Katsushika Ward are home to many residential developments, large apartment buildings, housing estates, and other housing with good accessibility and everyday convenience.

Although perhaps less glamorous than the waterfront districts, Kameari and Kanamachi nonetheless offer good residential options with many local amenities such as schools, parks, and shopping centers. Most developments in this area were originally large-scale housing estates, many of which have since been redeveloped or replaced by newer condo developments.

Local neighborhoods retain a homegrown feel with traditional shopping districts, festivals, family restaurants, and shops. As the area is close to major railroads, including the JR Joban Line, commuting to Tokyo Station and other business districts is straightforward.

Many apartments in Kameari and Kanamachi offer more bedrooms and living space for the price compared to similar dwellings in central Tokyo. As developments continue to rise around major stations in the area, younger buyers are showing greater interest in the area.

Best for: Value-conscious buyers, families, long-term residency, and first-time buyers.

Things to Consider

Apartment communities are becoming increasingly popular throughout Tokyo, and large-scale residential developments offer many advantages over traditional small apartment buildings. Nonetheless, such neighborhoods also have their downsides, and it is important to consider both before deciding whether such a lifestyle is right for you.

Pros

• More space: Large-scale apartment buildings typically have more spacious interiors than older apartment buildings in Tokyo. Families will appreciate the extra bedrooms, while everyone will have more storage space.
• Better amenities: Depending on the building, large-scale apartment communities may offer amenities that would be unavailable in small private buildings. Such amenities may include fitness centers and lounges, co-working spaces, rooftop facilities, children's rooms, maid's rooms, parcel lockers, and 24-hour security.
• Convenience: Most large-scale apartment developments are designed as self-contained communities with many convenience stores, supermarkets, daycare centers, medical facilities, and parks located within easy walking distance.
• Strong community: Larger developments typically have long-standing community traditions, with safety patrolling programs, children's clubs or events, and other community-building activities.

Cons

• Longer commute: Many large-scale apartment developments are located outside of the central business district, and the commute may be noticeably longer than if you were to live in central Tokyo.
• Higher costs: Apartments with good amenities typically have higher management and maintenance fees, so it is important to factor those in when considering such options.
• Fewer privacy considerations: Depending on the size of the building, shared facilities such as elevators and amenity rooms may get crowded during peak hours.
• Different from traditional Tokyo neighborhoods: Many large-scale developments, particularly mixed-use ones, have a different feel from traditional housing in Tokyo. Some people find such buildings to be more orderly and cleaner than traditional neighborhoods, while others will miss the local shop feel.

Summary

What district Is best for you? If you are seeking luxury and modernity with spectacular views, consider Toyosu, Ariake, Harumi, Kachidoki, or Tsukishima. If you want something family-friendly with many convenience amenities and access to schools, Tama New Town, Hikarigaoka, and Kasai are great options. If you need to travel frequently and want easy access to both downtown Tokyo and Haneda Airport, Shinagawa is the best choice. If you are a first-time buyer or want to buy a large apartment at a reasonable price, consider Kameari, Kanamachi, Ojima, and Oshima.

As mentioned above, each neighborhood has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is best to visit a few places to get a better idea of which one suits you best.

While many think of Tokyo as a land of small apartments, there are plenty of residential areas offering large-scale apartment buildings with space to spare. From the luxury towers of Shinagawa to the suburban-style developments of Tama New Town, there are many great options for anyone seeking more space.

Most such developments offer a range of amenities, including convenience stores, medical facilities, and parks, all within easy walking distance. As many of Tokyo's large-scale developments are planned around such services, the commute to them is also easy.

As Tokyo continues to grow, many of the city's old industrial areas are being redeveloped into residential areas fit for both local families and international residents. If you are seeking an alternative to the capital's dense apartment buildings, consider one of the many large-scale apartment developments Tokyo has to offer.

Source

• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
• Urban Renaissance Agency (UR Housing)
• Real Estate Information Network System (REINS)
• Statistics Bureau of Japan
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government
• Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
• Japan Property Central
• Real Estate Japan
• CBRE Japan Market Reports
• Savills Japan Residential Research
• JLL Japan Residential Market Insights

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