Hiroo/Azabu

Access - Hiroo Station is on the Hibiya Line and is a convenient commute to the business districts of Kamiyacho and central Tokyo, as well as to commercial areas in the west of the city. Lifestyle - Hiroo and Azabu are among the most “Westernized” areas of Tokyo due to the high population of foreign residents. Besides homes, there are also a great number of embassies and consulates. The area is host to two of the best international supermarkets in Tokyo. Likewise, Nishimachi International School and the International School of the Sacred Heart are less than 10 minutes walk from the station. Other schools; ASIJ, St Mary’s and Seisen offer bus pick-ups to their schools located further out of the central area. There is also a nice mix of inner-city architecture and greenery. Arisugawa Park has a playground for children and benches to sit on and relax. Tokyo Central Metropolitan Library, with over 150,000 non-Japanese books, is adjacent to the park. For dining, there are a large variety of international restaurants. There are also English-speaking clinics in the area and the Tokyo American Club is just a short commute away. Housing - Because of the popularity of this area, rents per square meter are in the higher price range. The housing selection is comprised generally of apartments, ranging from average to absolutely luxurious. Semi-detached houses with small gardens are harder to come by.

Roppongi

A literal neighbor to Hiroo and Azabu, Roppongi offers many of the same benefits of downtown living. One important point to remember, however, is that Roppongi is the nightlife capital of Tokyo and is well known among foreigners for this reason alone. Many of the bars and nightclubs are open all night and it is usually a bustling area after dark. Although some areas a short distance from the station are nice and quiet, Hiroo and Azabu are considered much better choices for those with families and children.

Omotesando

These are beautiful upscale boutique neighborhoods that are as popular with foreign residents as they are with shoppers on the weekends. Access - Situated on the Chiyoda/Hanzomon/Ginza subway lines and the JR Yamanote loop line, this area offers quick and convenient access to many parts of Tokyo. Lifestyle - Home to some of the best fashion shopping and restaurants, the weekends are a bustle of young people descending on the many boutiques and chain stores. With numerous fashionable cafes and restaurants, lunch and dinner times are particularly popular. Nearby is Yoyogi Park, the largest in Tokyo and ideal for a variety of activities ranging from jogging to picnics. On the weekends, Yoyogi Park is the perfect place to experience the youth culture of Tokyo. There are also flea markets on occasion. Meiji Shrine, adjacent to the park, is a beautiful example of Japanese culture and is a popular venue for traditional weddings on the weekends. Kinokuniya International Supermarket is a short walk from Omotesando Station and offers a great range of foods from home. Bus routes offer convenient transportation to many of the international schools from these neighborhoods. Housing - Due to the current commercial popularity of these areas, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find housing. The neighborhoods have become some of the most exclusive of Tokyo. Again, apartments are more prevalent with detached and semi-detached houses being harder to come by.

Yoyogi-Uehara

This is an ideal residential area for the expat family with experience living in Japan. Although there are now many expats living in this area, English-speaking shop owners and facilities are not as readily accessible as they are in the Hiroo, Azabu and Roppongi areas. However, the Yoyogi area combines both quiet residential streets and detached homes with quick access to all of the important urban centers of Tokyo. Access ·Located on the Chiyoda Line, the stations are just a hop away from the popular Omotesando area and convenient for transfers to other lines. Also, direct access to Otemachi, the government district, is only 20 minutes away. Shinjuku Station, the busiest station in Tokyo, is literally minutes away by train. From there, you can get to any part of Tokyo and much of Japan. With shorter bus rides to the American School in Japan than most other stops, as well as near the late bus stop, homes here are very popular with families whose children attend ASIJ. Lifestyle/Housing - This area has more of a suburban feeling than any of those previously mentioned. Most of the neighborhoods are quiet and relaxed, and again, Yoyogi Park is close by. In addition, not only can you get more for your money in terms of space, but also detached housing is much easier to come by.

Ebisu

These are the current growth areas of Tokyo, especially for those in the foreign community looking for a little more space. They are stylish and popular areas with young people on the weekends. Access - It is just a short commute into the center of Tokyo. Unfortunately, the trains in the morning and evening rush hour can be alarmingly crowded . From Ebisu or nearby Shibuya, one can springboard to many areas of the greater Tokyo region. Lifestyle - The American School in Japan Nursery Kindergarten is within walking distance from some parts of this area. There is a bus pick-up service for the older children attending the main school in Chofu. Other international schools also offer bus pick-up service from this area to their campuses in the west of Tokyo. Daikanyama is a trendy neighborhood full of up market boutiques and quirky stores. Ebisu is also a beautiful suburb and has become a popular weekend leisure destination. Ebisu Garden Place offers a business park and shops all in one convenient location. Both Daikanyama and Ebisu have many international restaurants, cafes and stores, while Nakameguro has a much more down-to-earth feel and is home to many good pubs and cheaper restaurants. Housing - As previously mentioned, you can generally get a little more space for your money in these areas. In Nakameguro, it is still possible to find detached and semi-detached houses with small gardens. For the most part however, apartments are still the norm.

Yotsuya

These residential areas, located within the Yamanote loop line, are particularly popular with Europeans. The French School, (Lycee Franco-Japonais), is located in this area. Access - Easy access to Tokyo and Shinjuku stations on the Chuo/Sobu line makes the area convenient to many commercial centers. Also, the Yurakucho, Marunouchi and Namboku subway lines deliver commuters to many areas of central Tokyo. Lifestyle/Housing - Soto Bori (the outer moat of the Imperial Palace) and the park along its shores (Soto Bori Koen) are beautiful and especially popular during the cherry blossom season in the spring. The availability of detached housing lends to the residential feel. However, semi-detached housing and apartments offer some of the most attractive options. There are many restaurants in the area but they are of a more traditional Japanese-style, and likewise, shopping is limited to standard Japanese grocery stores. While shopping is not a problem, it may be confusing to newcomers.

Meguro

More popular with the established foreign community, (those who have been here for at least a few years), you can get a real taste of Japan here. Access - These areas all lie on the government-run Yamanote line, from which you can transfer at numerous points to any part of Tokyo. Lifestyle - Most of the areas around the stations consist of bars and restaurants that service the office staff working nearby. Shinagawa station in particular is a bustling station popular for its hotels on one side, and near Tokyo Bay on the other. Ongoing construction projects are changing the landscape and will offer more in years to come. There are no international schools in these areas, however there are bus stops for St Mary’s, Seisen and ASIJ. Housing - Quiet on weekends, there is generally a greater variety of housing with more space, including apartments and semi-detached and detached houses, to be found here. Likewise, rents are usually lower in these areas and houses with gardens can be found.

Western Setagaya

This area encompasses the neighborhoods that fall between two of the busiest train lines servicing the west of Tokyo, from Shibuya to Kawasaki and Yokohama. It is a popular area for those wanting to “escape” the city, but yet still have easy access to either Tokyo or Yokohama. Access - The train lines are the Shin-Tamagawa/Denentoshi line and the Toyoko line. The Oimachi line connects Futako-Tamagawa on the Shin-Tamagawa line and Jiyugaoka on the Toyoko line for access to more of the area. Lifestyle - The nearby Tama River offers space for sports and BBQ’s on weekends and is a venue for many festivals throughout the year. The international schools, St Mary’s (all boys), and Seisen (all girls, co-ed kindergarten), are here. The German International School is a little further out in Yokohama. There is a lot of greenery and the neighborhoods are very pleasant and peaceful. The area around Jiyugaoka station is full of cafes, restaurants and has recently taken off with fashion boutiques. At Futako-Tamagawa, Takashimaya (one of the biggest department stores in Japan) has two buildings very near the station. There is also a plaza with quality food nearby. Housing - These are ideal areas for families with a variety of detached and semi-detached housing available, as well as spacious apartments. It is worth considering the benefits of the extra space in this area against the longer commute into the city.