BEGINJAPAN

Area guide

Living in Shin-Okubo & Takadanobaba

Shin-Okubo and Takadanobaba are popular first homes. There are many Japanese language schools, and shops and restaurants with food from home. Rents are mid-range for central Tokyo, and share houses keep move-in costs low.

A lantern-lit side street in Tokyo at night

The neighborhoods

Neighborhood Feel Handy for
Shin-Okubo Famous for Korean food; South Asian groceries and halal shops too Food from home; one stop to Shinjuku on the Yamanote Line
Okubo Next to Shin-Okubo, more housing Commuting on the Chuo-Sobu Line
Takadanobaba A student town with many language and vocational schools Yamanote, Tozai and Seibu lines

Rent at a glance

Around Shin-Okubo Station, average listed rents were about ¥89,000 for a studio, ¥110,000 for a 1K and ¥138,000 for a 1DK, based on the last three months of listings when we checked in November 2026 (at home). Stations a little further out on the Tozai Line, such as Ochiai and Nakano, tend to be cheaper.

To spend less, move one or two stations away or choose a share house. See share houses.

Before you move

  • The area around Shin-Okubo Station is very crowded with visitors at weekends. Streets a little away from the station are quieter.
  • Areas close to Kabukicho stay busy late. Visit a room at night once before you decide.
  • Students can only work limited hours. See part-time work rules.

Guides for this area

How international students can find a room in TokyoHow-to Share houses in the Shinjuku area comparedCompare SIM cards you can get with just a residence cardCompare Sending money to Nepal and Vietnam comparedCompare From JLPT N3 to N2: online courses comparedCompare Part-time work rules for international studentsRules From student to a job in JapanHow-to Your first 30 days as a student: checklistChecklist