Tokyo’s studio rents keep climbing

Tokyo’s average contracted rent for single-person studio apartments in the 23 wards hit 111,922 yen in March, At Home said. That’s up 13% year over year or more than 12,000 yen and marks the 22nd straight month of record highs.

Advertised rents were even higher, at about 121,270 yen before negotiation. At Home linked the increase to foreign demand, return-to-office moves, higher construction costs and more fixed-term leases.

Nomads and expats are feeling the squeeze

The sharpest pressure falls on expats and digital nomads looking for small central apartments. Many rentals still require a Japanese guarantor, a 2-year lease and upfront charges that can add up to 4 to 6 months’ rent.

Minato and other central wards are among the priciest areas, with some units topping 140,000 yen a month. Families are seeing rent climb too, as average prices for 50 to 70 sqm homes reached 253,534 yen, up 5.9% from a year earlier.

What renters can do now

Fixed-term leases now make up 9.3% of the market and they can allow rent hikes at renewal. Ordinary leases are less flexible on price changes, so renters often compare local listings before signing or renewing.

Short-term visitors have fewer options on tourist visas and often turn to hotels, Airbnbs or suburbs instead. Read our full Japan guide for the complete picture and check visa updates for related changes.