New in Tokyo?

Welcome… and enjoy your stay!

Setting up a life in the world’s biggest city is challenging. The language is alien. The map looks like a bowl of spaghetti. It’s jam-packed, stunningly fast and phenomenally expensive. In short, Tokyo is mind-boggling!

It certainly overwhelmed me when I arrived in 1975. But I soon discovered that if you approach Tokyo with a sense of humor and a willingness to adapt and explore, another picture emerges.

From the sea of faces smiles appear. And tucked away behind the rows of tall, gray buildings you discover cozy neighborhoods that move at a slower, more human pace. Stroll around and you may find cheerful village markets, or perhaps a secluded temple garden.

Tokyo will never be paradise, but find your place within it and you’ll probably conclude that – in it’s own complex way – this is one of the world’s most livable cities.

That knowledge will come with time but, unfortunately, you won’t have it when you need it most. Before you even know where to start, decisions must be made that will determine your whole experience here. And the most crucial comes first: where to live?

That’s where we come in. At Century 21 SKY Realty, we understand what you’re up against – we’ve been through it ourselves. We realize that you need more than just an acceptable dwelling: you need to find your niche.

So where do we start? We recommend that you focus your search on two or three neighborhoods and consider the following:

Your Commute

As few things can impair your quality of life more than a hellish commute, look for an area that offers easy access to you workplace.

Your Lifestyle

What’s your style? Will you be out past midnight carousing in Roppongi? If so, look for a place close by or you’ll spend a fortune on taxis (if you can find them). But if your tastes run more to a brisk morning jog, look further a field.

Your Budget

By rule of thumb, the further out you go the more your yen will stretch. Have it all if you can – a spacious home and garden in the center of the city. But, in most cases, trade-offs must be made: proximity for greenery; affordability for elbowroom.

Last but not least…

Your Kind of Town – Which spot suits you best? Each of Tokyo’s prime residential areas has its own distinctive character, and only you can say which one feels most like home – or at least ‘home-away-from-home.’ The answer will depend on a wealth of detail and your very personal reactions to the surroundings.

Details and feelings, that’s what this guide is all about. It’s meant to give you the facts (a taste not a torrent) and some frankly subjective opinions about the neighborhood. Accept or reject these, as you like. Our purpose is not to tell you what to believe, but to help you develop your own eye. The goal, above all, is to help you find your niche in Tokyo. Let us know how we can help!