Azabu-Juban Area Guide: Tokyo Expat Apartments, Embassies & Bilingual Real Estate
By Ibuki — Affarah Friendly Homes · 2026-07-24
Short answer: Azabu-Juban (麻布十番) is widely considered the single most desirable residential enclave in central Tokyo for international diplomats, corporate executives, and bilingual families. Situated in Minato Ward adjacent to Roppongi Hills, Hiroo, and Moto-Azabu, it combines 300-year-old traditional shopping streets (Juban Shotengai) with high-end luxury residences, top international schools, and over 40 embassies within walking distance.
1. Why Expats Choose Azabu-Juban
🏛️ Embassy & Diplomatic Proximity
Azabu-Juban is surrounded by dozens of foreign embassies, including the United States, Germany, France, Australia, China, and Austria. Because of this high diplomatic concentration, local municipal infrastructure, police security patrols, and neighborhood services are fully optimized for non-Japanese residents.
🏫 Top International Schools
Families residing in Azabu-Juban enjoy unmatched access to premier Tokyo international schools:
- Nishimachi International School (Moto-Azabu): 5-minute walk.
- ASIJ (American School in Japan) Early Learning Center: 7-minute walk.
- Tokyo International School (Mita): 10-minute transit / drive.
- Sacred Heart International School (Hiroo): Nearby via Namboku/Hibiya lines.
2. Average Rent Prices in Azabu-Juban (2026 Baseline)
Due to high international demand and limited land supply, rents in Azabu-Juban command a premium:
| Apartment Layout | Average Monthly Rent | Recommended Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1K / 1R (Studio / 1-Room) | ¥130,000 – ¥160,000 | ¥5,500,000+ |
| 1LDK (1 Bedroom + Living) | ¥220,000 – ¥310,000 | ¥9,500,000+ |
| 2LDK (2 Bedroom + Living) | ¥350,000 – ¥520,000 | ¥15,000,000+ |
| 3LDK+ (Family Residence) | ¥650,000 – ¥1,200,000+ | ¥25,000,000+ |
3. Bilingual Real Estate Support & Lease Navigation
Renting in Azabu-Juban requires working with real estate agencies that understand international income structures, foreign corporate housing allowances (Shataku), and bilingual lease drafting.
Key benefits of renting in Azabu-Juban with Affarah Friendly Homes:
- Bilingual Contracts: English lease summaries and translated building management bylaws (Kanri Kiyaku).
- No-Guarantor & Institutional Screening: Access to expat-friendly guarantor providers (GTN, Casa) and UR housing eligibility advice.
- International Grocers & Amenities: Walking distance to Nissin World Delicatessen, National Azabu, and Bioc' Bon Organic Supermarket.
To explore active expat listings in Azabu-Juban or consult with our local team, send a message to Affarah.
Compare the building type before choosing the neighborhood
Location is only half of the shortlist. An apaato, manshon, danchi and UR apartment can have very different soundproofing, fees, facilities and screening even in the same area. Use the apaato vs manshon, danchi and UR housing comparison before booking viewings, then compare the total monthly and move-in cost of each building.