Student housing in Tokyo: the universities that attract the most international students and where to live

Tokyo hosts more international students than any other region of Japan: 144,661 on 1 May 2025, according to the annual survey by the public body JASSO, out of 408,069 across the country, a total up 21.2% in one year. For housing, the vast majority of them go through the private market: nationally, 78.1% of international students live in private housing, and only 84,940 occupy a place in a residence run by their institution.

Knowing your university is therefore the starting point: it is the train line serving it, more than the ward, that will guide your search. Then count on rising rents and high move-in costs, which we detail below.

The Tokyo universities that host the most international students

In the JASSO ranking of the Japanese universities with the most international students (figures at 1 May 2025), several Tokyo institutions come out on top:

• Waseda University (private): 5,541 international students, the highest total in the country;
• University of Tokyo (national): 4,922;
• Institute of Science Tokyo (national, formed by the merger of Tokyo Tech and Tokyo Medical and Dental University): 2,334;
• Nihon University (private): 2,287;
• Keio University (private): 2,195;
• Toyo University (private): 1,810;
• Meiji University (private): 1,596;
• Sophia University (private): 1,503.

These universities often have several campuses. Check which one hosts your classes before searching, and remember that Japanese language schools carry great weight too: 140,174 international students were enrolled in them in 2025 across the country, up 30.7%.

Residence, share house or studio

The institution's residence

This is the simplest option on arrival, but places are scarce relative to demand. Ask the international students office as soon as you are admitted: applications are generally made before departure, and you need a fallback.

The share house

A Japanese form of shared flat, the share house is run by an operator: you rent your room and share the kitchen, bathrooms and common areas. According to the Japan Share House Federation's 2025 study, reported by the Zenkoku Chintai Jutaku Shimbun in May 2026, the country had 5,943 share houses at the end of November 2025, with about 65,000 beds, of which 60 to 70% in Tokyo, mostly in the 23 wards. The study describes it as a suitable solution for young people and foreigners who want to limit their set-up costs. Read the house rules and check what the advertised price includes.

The studio

The 1K-type studio (18 to 30 m²) generally rents for between 85,000 and 140,000 yen per month depending on the ward. According to the At Home portal, the average asking rent for an apartment of 30 m² or less in the 23 wards reached 114,339 yen in August 2026, utilities included, up 10% over one year and the highest since 2015. In small, less comfortable "apāto"-type buildings, the average was 77,438 yen, up 11.8%.

The central wards (Minato, Chiyoda, Shibuya, Chuo) are the most expensive. Edogawa, Adachi, Katsushika and Arakawa are the most affordable of the 23 wards, while Koenji, Sangenjaya or Shimokitazawa, lively and well served, remain a compromise popular with students.