What Can You Rent for 80,000 Yen or Less on the Chuo Line?

By REJ November 22nd, 2011 Blog, The Market

Chuo Line Rapid train running between Iidabashi and Ichigaya.

The Chuo line is one of the major lines running east-west through Tokyo. Even if you’ve only been in the city for a day, chances are you’ve seen one of these orange or yellow JR trains. The Chuo Main line actually runs between Tokyo and Nagoya, but around Tokyo, we’re more likely to think of it as the line that connects Tachikawa and Mitaka in the west to Tokyo Station. Or as the line you hop on at Shinjuku to get out to Takao for a nice break from the city.

This summer, we put up a post on “What You Can Rent for 80,000 Yen a Month in Japan.” In this follow-up, we ask the same question, but this time, we’re just looking at places along the Chuo line. But can we find conveniently located places that don’t break our budget? Our hypothetical renter’s criteria: 80,000 yen or less a month and no key money. Here we go!

1K Condo, 12 minutes from Tachikawa Station

This is a 22.55 square meter 1K condo located about 12 minutes from Tachikawa. It is about 29 minutes from Tachikawa to Shinjuku. You don’t need a guarantor to rent this property but the landlord requires that you use a guarantor company which will charge a fee of fifty percent of the rent. Rent is 53,000 yen per month. Please click here for more details.

1R Condo, 15 minutes from Kichijoji Station

This 1R 14.02 square meter apartment is located 15 minutes from Kichijoji Station. There is a coin laundry in the building but no space in the unit for a private washing machine. Rent is 56,000 yen per month. Note how much more our hypothetical renter would pay here, per square meter, compared to the property in Tachikawa; but on the other hand, you’d be that much closer to Tokyo! You won’t need a guarantor but there is an additional fee for the guarantor company. Please click here for more details.

1R Fully Furnished Studio, 10 minutes from Shinjuku Station

This is a fully furnished 1R (19.35 square meter) studio apartment, located about 10 minutes from Shinjuku Station. Rent is 79,000 yen per month. There’s no deposit, but there is a monthly maintenance fee of 6,000 yen (still within our budget!). Please click here for more details.

Room in Guest House, 5 minutes from Shinanomachi Station

This is a 5.89 square meter private room in a guest house with shared bath, kitchen, and laundry facilities. The property is newly renovated. Shinanomachi is an easy walk to Aoyama and Harajuku. Rent is 61,000 yen per month. There is also a deposit of 30,000 yen. Please click here for details.

Dorm Room in a Guest House, 3 minutes from Kanda Station

This is a women-only guest house. Shared rooms are 12 square meters. Rent is 23,000 yen per month, with an additional 8,000 yen for utilities. Please click here for details.