Luxury Apartments in Tokyo: 2026 Guide to Prices, Neighborhoods and Renting
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TokyoExpat is an independent luxury rental advisory operated by Edo Partners K.K. for executives and professionals relocating to Tokyo. Its licensed representative handles searches, viewings and lease reviews directly. The service does not collect rent or sublet homes.
Understand the prices, neighbourhoods and lease process before choosing a Tokyo home. This guide explains how to compare luxury apartments; the current inventory is on our separate rental page.
What makes a Tokyo apartment a luxury home?
There is no single specification that makes every home luxurious. Compare usable space, building management, privacy, access, light and the fit with your commute and family. Furnishing and services are separate questions, not a substitute for a suitable layout.
Use contracted-rent evidence for price context
| Ward | Median monthly rent | Median rent / m² | Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuo-ku | ¥525,000 | ¥6,009 | 6 |
| Meguro-ku | ¥620,000 | ¥5,860 | 5 |
| Minato-ku | ¥755,000 | ¥8,767 | 64 |
| Setagaya-ku | ¥560,000 | ¥5,147 | 7 |
| Shibuya-ku | ¥675,000 | ¥8,135 | 30 |
| Shinjuku-ku | ¥560,000 | ¥5,828 | 9 |
Source: Tokyo Luxury Rent Report — 2026-09. Three-month sample of contracted residential rentals at ¥500,000/month or above; only wards with at least five contracts are shown. These medians describe the qualifying sample, not current asking rents or an individual home’s value.
Our latest Tokyo Luxury Rent Report reports qualifying contracted rentals of at least ¥500,000/month and a rolling three-month ward breakdown. It is a sample, not a census, and its medians are not current asking rents or a valuation of an individual apartment.
For the available homes and their displayed asking rents, compare current luxury rental listings. Budget separately for initial charges and confirm the written lease quotation.
Explore by area
Tokyo does not have one luxury district. It has several, and the right one depends on school, commute, and how much friction you want in daily life.
Azabudai & Toranomon
Central Tokyo neighbourhoods with modern residences, office hubs and convenient access for relocating executives.
Roppongi, Hiroo & Azabu
The corridor that has served diplomats and foreign companies for decades.
Omotesando & Minami-Aoyama
A tree-lined avenue and world-class architecture — a different register of luxury.
Shibuya & Yoyogi
The hub everyone passes through, and the quiet residential pockets around it.
Ebisu, Daikanyama & Naka-Meguro
Independent cafés, the canal, and a slower pace than the rest of this list.
Shirokane & Shirokanedai
Quiet, established, and a short walk from Hiroo's infrastructure.
Marunouchi & Nihonbashi
Tokyo Station's gravity, and what it means to actually live there.
Three building examples to explore
These profiles illustrate different locations and building types. They are examples, not a statement of current vacancy. See current luxury rental listings for the inventory.
- Mita Garden Hills Long-term
- Park Mansion Chidorigafuchi Long-term
- With Harajuku Residence Long-term
How renting works in Tokyo
Key money and deposits
Key money (reikin) is non-refundable. A security deposit (shikikin) may be returned in part after move-out deductions. Amounts and conditions vary by property: compare the written quotation, including advance rent, insurance and guarantor charges, before applying. Any brokerage fee is explained when you instruct us and charged within the statutory limit with your consent.
Guarantor companies and screening
Most landlords require a guarantor company rather than a personal guarantor. Requirements depend on the landlord and guarantor. Income evidence, employer details and a Japan-based contact may be relevant; overseas income or a corporate guarantee is assessed case by case. A company-paid lease does not itself guarantee approval.
Ordinary and fixed-term leases
Check the contract type before comparing the monthly rent. Ordinary leases may carry a renewal fee. Fixed-term leases end at the agreed term, and staying longer requires a new agreement with the landlord. Review renewal or re-contracting, notice periods and early termination conditions before signing.
Restoration and move-out
Review restoration (genjō kaifuku), cleaning and move-out obligations in the lease. Document the property’s existing condition at the move-in inspection so it can be compared with the condition at departure. Deposit deductions and exit terms belong in the initial review, rather than being left until the assignment ends.
Corporate housing: who signs and who pays?
Confirm the named tenant, employer’s budget cap, employee contribution and approval process before selecting a home. Align lease terms with the assignment and review what happens when employment or the posting ends. TokyoExpat coordinates with HR, the employee and the landlord; the employer’s policy and the landlord’s screening remain separate decisions.
Read the rental process · Check the real estate glossary · Explore corporate housing support
FAQ
What is considered a "luxury" apartment in Tokyo?
In practice: central wards (especially Minato, Shibuya, Chiyoda), generous floor plates by Tokyo standards, bilingual or hotel-style building service, and rents that usually start around the mid-¥300,000s for a compact 1LDK and climb past ¥1 million for family-sized units.
Do I need a guarantor company as a foreign tenant?
Yes, in almost every case. A foreign passport and a global employer letter are not a substitute for the Japanese guarantor system. We introduce one that accepts executive and corporate-housing profiles and stay on the file until approval.
Can key money be negotiated on high-end units?
Often, not always. Vacancy, season, and how the landlord underwrites the tenant matter more than the sticker.
How is TokyoExpat different from a landlord's agent?
We provide independent advice from the tenant’s perspective, comparing homes and lease terms against your needs. There is no consultation fee.
How far in advance should I start looking?
Six to eight weeks before arrival is comfortable for a standard executive search. Peak season (January–March and August–September) needs more lead time.
Can you work with a company rent cap?
Yes. Send the cap, whose name goes on the lease, and any policy constraints, and we map that to buildings that will actually clear HR and the landlord.
Ready to see what's actually available?
Book a consultation — we will walk through budget, priority areas, and timeline before showing you anything. First conversation is free.
Book a ConsultationReady to compare homes?
See current luxury rental listings →
For furnished stays, visit Short-Term Housing. For a company housing arrangement, use our Corporate Housing Desk.