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A Guide to Yokohama's Rental Rates an… | SUMUIE Rental Guide
Home Columns Area & Environment A Guide to Yokohama's Rental Rates and Characteristics by Ward—Finding the Best Areas for Foreign Residents Across 18 Wards Area & Environment A Guide to Yokohama's Rental Rates and Characteristics by Ward—Finding the Best Areas for Foreign Residents Across 18 Wards 2026-04-25 A comprehensive guide in which real estate experts systematically organize Yokohama's 18 wards across four axes—rental rates, commute convenience, foreign communities, and education/healthcare—to identify optimal areas for expatriate workers, international students, and foreign couples. Explains the distinctive features of major wards including Naka, Nishi, and Kohoku, organized by property type.
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Reviewed by: Nobuyuki Mori President, M-Assets Co., Ltd. / Licensed Real Estate Transaction Specialist (Miyagi #018212)
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Yokohama's 18 Wards and Foreign Resident Characteristics Yokohama consists of 18 administrative wards, each with significant differences in rental rates, commute convenience, and international character. With approximately 120,000 foreign residents, Yokohama is popular among expatriate workers and international students for combining easy access to central Tokyo with a culturally diverse environment. This article systematizes the characteristics of each ward and recommends optimal areas by use case.
Central Business Areas (Higher Rent Levels)
Naka Ward (Yokohama Chinatown, Motomachi, Kannai, Yamate) • 1K average: ¥80,000–110,000 • 1LDK average: ¥140,000–200,000 • Features: Chinatown and Motomachi brand shopping streets, cosmopolitan atmosphere dating back to the foreign settlement era • Education: Yokohama International School (YIS), Sunmall International School • Healthcare: International medical facilities concentrated here, many English-speaking hospitals • Recommended for: Expatriate families, long-term residents, those prioritizing an international atmosphere
Nishi Ward (Yokohama Station, Minato Mirai) • 1K average: ¥70,000–100,000 • 1LDK average: ¥130,000–190,000 • Features: Center of Yokohama Station and Minato Mirai 21, six JR and private railway lines converge, bay area views • Education: English-friendly daycare centers and kindergartens available • Healthcare: Yokohama City University Hospital provides English-language services • Recommended for: Those prioritizing commute convenience, Tokyo commutes under 30 minutes, hotel-like urban living
Premium Residential Areas (Family-Oriented)
Aoba Ward (Tamaplaza, Azamino, Ichigao) • 1K average: ¥60,000–80,000 • 1LDK average: ¥110,000–160,000 • Features: Direct connection to Shibuya via Den-en-toshi Line, carefully planned upscale residential area, many expatriate families • Education: Yokohama International School (Ryokuen Toshi campus) • Recommended for: Expatriate families working in Shibuya/Omotesando, those prioritizing childcare environment
Kohoku Ward (Hiyoshi, Tsunashima, Shin-Yokohama) • 1K average: ¥60,000–80,000 • 1LDK average: ¥100,000–150,000 • Features: Tokyu Toyoko Line, Yokohama Municipal Subway, Shinkansen Shin-Yokohama Station, Keio University Hiyoshi Campus • Education: Hiyoshi International Preschool • Recommended for: Those working in Shibuya/Shinjuku, frequent Shinkansen travel, Keio University-affiliated persons
Tsuzuki Ward (Center Kita, Center Minami) • 1K average: ¥50,000–70,000 • 1LDK average: ¥90,000–130,000 • Features: Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue and Green Lines, new-town environment • Recommended for: Families, car users, those prioritizing natural surroundings
Mid-Range Areas (Value-Conscious)
Totsuka and Sakae Wards • 1K average: ¥50,000–70,000 • 1LDK average: ¥80,000–120,000 • Features: Direct JR Tokaido and Yokosuka Lines to Tokyo and Shinagawa, well-developed residential neighborhoods • Recommended for: Those working at Tokyo or Shinagawa Station, cost-conscious residents
Konan and Minami Wards • 1K average: ¥50,000–70,000 • 1LDK average: ¥80,000–120,000 • Features: 15–25 minutes to Yokohama Station by subway or Keihin Line, lively shopping streets • Recommended for: Those working near Yokohama Station, community-oriented residents
Kanagawa Ward (Higashi-Kanagawa, Tanmachi, Hakuraku) • 1K average: ¥55,000–75,000 • 1LDK average: ¥90,000–130,000 • Features: Gateway between Yokohama and Tokyo, Kanagawa University campus, dense shopping streets • Recommended for: Those working near Yokohama Station, students, those seeking balance between cost and convenience
Suburban Areas (Lower Rent, Natural Surroundings)
Kanazawa Ward (Kanazawa Bunko, Kanazawa Hakkei) • 1K average: ¥45,000–60,000 • 1LDK average: ¥70,000–110,000 • Features: 30 minutes to Yokohama or 60 minutes to Shinagawa via Keihin Main Line, close to ocean and parks • Education: Yokohama City University Kanazawa Hakkei Campus • Recommended for: Ocean lovers, Yokohama City University-affiliated persons, cost-conscious residents
Tsurumi Ward • 1K average: ¥50,000–70,000 • 1LDK average: ¥80,000–120,000 • Features: Direct JR Keihin-Tohoku Line to Tokyo and Kawasaki, rich Keihin Industrial Zone history, Brazilian and Peruvian communities • Education: Latin American international schools • Recommended for: Latin American expats, those working in Kawasaki or Tokyo, those seeking multicultural experiences
Asahi, Seya, and Izumi Wards • 1K average: ¥45,000–60,000 • 1LDK average: ¥70,000–100,000 • Features: Sotetsu Line and Yokohama Municipal Subway, predominantly single-family homes and family apartments • Recommended for: Families, rent-conscious residents, car users
Property Type Characteristics
Apartments/Condominiums (Mid-Rise) • Concentrated in Naka, Nishi, and Kohoku wards • Good security (auto-lock doors, security cameras) • Slightly higher rent, strong track record of accepting foreign residents
Apartment Buildings (Low-Rise, Wood/Light Steel) • Concentrated in mid-range areas like Kanagawa, Tsurumi, and Minami wards • Lower rent, security deposit and key money negotiable • Watch for properties with poor soundproofing
Traditional Houses and Single-Family Home Renovations • Few properties available in areas like Naka Ward's Motomachi and Yamate • Distinctive properties, many pet-friendly • Verify maintenance cost responsibility and insulation performance
Recommended Areas by Commute Destination Commute Destination Recommended Area Travel Time Tokyo/Otemachi Station Naka, Nishi, Totsuka wards 30–40 min Shibuya/Shinjuku Aoba, Kohoku wards 30–40 min Shinagawa/Shimbashi Nishi, Minami, Kanazawa wards 25–45 min Yokohama Station Nishi, Kanagawa, Minami wards 5–15 min Kawasaki/Shin-Yokohama Tsurumi, Kohoku wards 10–20 min
Foreign Resident Accommodation Level
Areas with Strong Track Records of Accepting Foreign Residents • Naka Ward (historical foreign settlement tradition) • Nishi Ward (concentrated expatriate-focused apartments) • Aoba Ward (many expatriate families)
Real Estate Agents and Support • Over 10 English-speaking real estate agencies in Naka and Nishi wards • Foreign-specialist agencies available around Tamaplaza in Aoba Ward • Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking agencies available in Tsurumi Ward
Summary Yokohama's 18 wards differ significantly in rental rates, commute convenience, and international character. Expatriate families should consider premium residential areas in Naka, Nishi, and Aoba wards; those prioritizing commute convenience should look at Nishi and Kohoku; cost-conscious residents should consider Totsuka, Kanagawa, and Kanazawa wards; and those seeking multicultural experiences should consider Tsurumi Ward. Property selection is simplified by narrowing options along four axes: commute time from your workplace, rental budget, need for international environment, and family composition. Utilizing English-speaking real estate agents streamlines the process. As an international city comparable to Tokyo while offering a more relaxed living environment, Yokohama is an attractive option for foreign residents.
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