Koto apartments for rent for foreigners are increasingly searched as the ward’s waterfront development — Toyosu Market, the Ariake Arena, and a succession of high-rise residential towers along Tokyo Bay — has transformed Koto-ku from an industrial eastern ward into one of Tokyo’s most actively developing residential areas.
This guide covers Koto-ku as a rental destination for foreign residents in 2026. For eastern ward comparison, see the 1K apartments Tokyo guide. For Sumida-ku (the ward directly north), see the Taito/Sumida guide. Browse Koto-ku apartments for rent on Arealty.
Why Koto Apartments for Rent Are Growing Among Tokyo Foreigners
Two specific developments have changed Koto-ku’s profile for foreign renters since 2020.
Toyosu Market and the food industry cluster. The relocation of Tsukiji Market to Toyosu brought an international food industry presence to the ward. Foreign residents working in hospitality, food distribution, and related industries have followed. Toyosu’s infrastructure has developed rapidly to serve this population — supermarkets, international food stores, and bilingual services are significantly more developed here than in comparable eastern wards.
New high-rise residential stock. The Ariake and Tatsumi waterfront areas have had consistent new condominium and rental tower development since 2018. These buildings offer modern specifications — auto-lock, IH cooktops, separate bath, large windows with bay views — at rents below equivalent new builds in Shibuya or Shinjuku. For foreign renters who specifically want newer construction, Koto-ku’s waterfront pipeline is the most active in Tokyo outside of Minato-ku.
Koto Apartments for Rent Tokyo: Sub-Areas for Foreigners
Toyosu — Modern Waterfront, IT and Food Industry
Toyosu is the centre of Koto-ku’s new development. Served by the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line and the Yurikamome automated transit line, the area has a planned-city character — wide streets, large parks, and high-rise residential towers set back from the waterfront. Toyosu Market and the Lalaport shopping complex provide daily commercial infrastructure.
1K units in Toyosu: ¥90,000–¥120,000/month for newer buildings. The Yurakucho Line provides direct access to Otemachi (12 minutes) and Ginza (15 minutes) — strong commute positioning for financial services and media sector renters.
Ariake — Event Hub, Modern High-Rise
Ariake sits east of Toyosu along the Tokyo Bay waterfront. The Ariake Arena — completed for the 2020 Olympics — anchors a planned mixed-use district with hotels, offices, and residential towers. The area has a newer-city feel than Toyosu, with wider open spaces and a more sparse urban texture. 1K units: ¥88,000–¥115,000/month. Served by the Yurikamome and Rinkai Line.
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa — Creative and Local
Kiyosumi-Shirakawa sits inland from the waterfront and has a distinctly different character — it is known as Tokyo’s “third wave coffee hub,” with a concentration of specialty coffee roasters and small independent businesses that give the area a creative energy unusual in the eastern wards. Kiyosumi Garden (one of Tokyo’s finest traditional gardens) is here.
1K rents: ¥82,000–¥105,000/month. The Tokyo Metro Hanzomon and Oedo lines provide central access. Foreigner acceptance is moderate — improving as the international coffee and creative industry presence grows.
Kameido — Local Budget Option
Kameido, served by the JR Sobu Line and Tobu Kameido Line, is the most traditionally local part of Koto-ku. Cheaper and more residential than the waterfront areas, with 1K units from ¥72,000–¥90,000/month. Less foreigner acceptance infrastructure than the waterfront areas.
Kita Apartments for Rent Tokyo: 2026 Rent Data
| Unit type | Toyosu/Ariake | Kiyosumi-Shirakawa | Kameido |
| 1K (18–25 sqm) | ¥88,000–¥120,000 | ¥82,000–¥105,000 | ¥72,000–¥90,000 |
| 1DK (25–35 sqm) | ¥100,000–¥138,000 | ¥94,000–¥120,000 | ¥82,000–¥105,000 |
| 1LDK (35–50 sqm) | ¥128,000–¥175,000 | ¥118,000–¥158,000 | ¥105,000–¥138,000 |
| 2LDK (50–70 sqm) | ¥168,000–¥235,000 | ¥155,000–¥210,000 | ¥138,000–¥182,000 |
Koto-ku 1K median: ¥86,000/month. The 12% YoY increase in Toyosu/Ariake reflects the new development pipeline — a trend likely to continue through 2027 as additional towers complete. For full 23-ward context, see the average rent guide. For current listings, browse Koto apartments for rent on Arealty.
Foreigner Acceptance in Koto-ku
Foreigner acceptance in Koto-ku is uneven by sub-area. The waterfront areas (Toyosu, Ariake) have high acceptance rates — new buildings in these areas are typically managed by large management companies with foreign tenant experience. Kiyosumi-Shirakawa has improving acceptance. Kameido and older Koto-ku areas have lower acceptance rates typical of outer eastern wards.
- Work visa / Spouse visa: accepted widely in Toyosu and Ariake; moderate in Kiyosumi
- Student visa: accepted with documentation in waterfront areas
- Working Holiday visa: accepted in newer Toyosu and Ariake buildings; limited in older sub-areas. See the WH guide
- Tourist visa: monthly mansion available in the Toyosu area
Commute from Koto-ku
| Destination | From Toyosu | From Kiyosumi | From Kameido |
| Otemachi | 12 min (Yurakucho) | 10 min (Hanzomon) | 25 min (Sobu+transfer) |
| Ginza | 15 min (Yurakucho) | 18 min (Hanzomon) | 28 min |
| Shibuya | 22 min (Yurakucho+transfer) | 15 min (Hanzomon direct) | 30 min |
| Shinjuku | 28 min | 22 min (Hanzomon) | 28 min (Sobu) |
| Akihabara | 18 min (Yurakucho+transfer) | 12 min (Hanzomon) | 15 min (Sobu) |
The Hanzomon Line from Kiyosumi-Shirakawa is the best commute access in the ward — direct to Shibuya (15 min) and Otemachi (10 min) without transfer. This positions Kiyosumi as one of Koto-ku’s best value commute options for the Shibuya/Otemachi corridor.
The Rental Process
Standard Tokyo process applies. Documents: residence card (在留カード), income proof, bank statements, guarantor company.
Move-in costs for a ¥92,000/month Koto-ku apartment:
| Fee | Typical amount |
| Security deposit | ¥92,000–¥184,000 (1–2 months) |
| Agency fee | ¥101,200 incl. tax — Arealty charges zero |
| First month’s rent | ¥92,000 |
| Guarantor fee | ¥30,000–¥52,000 |
| Fire insurance | ¥15,000–¥18,000 |
| Total upfront | ¥330,200–¥447,200 |
For the full application process see the foreigner rental guide. For listing photos in new Toyosu builds, see why photos can differ.
Browse Koto-ku apartments for rent on Arealty — foreigner acceptance pre-confirmed, zero agency fees.
Who Should Rent Koto Apartments in Tokyo as a Foreigner
Strong fit:
- IT professionals and financial sector renters commuting to Otemachi or Ginza via the Yurakucho or Hanzomon lines
- Food industry and hospitality workers near Toyosu Market
- Renters who want newer building stock with bay views at below-Shibuya prices
- Remote workers who prioritise space and modern infrastructure over neighbourhood character
Consider alternatives if:
- You want established neighbourhood character — Kiyosumi excepted, the waterfront areas feel planned and lack organic urban texture
- Budget is under ¥80,000/month — Kameido is the lower end, but even here older stock dominates. Cheap apartments Tokyo covers better options at this range
- Your commute is west (Shinjuku, Shibuya) — Nakano or Suginami are more efficient and cheaper
Further Reading
- 1K apartments in Tokyo — Koto-ku in ward-by-ward data
- 2LDK apartments in Tokyo — Koto waterfront high-rise options
- Average apartment rent in Tokyo — 2026 data
- Renting in Japan as a foreigner — full process
- Why apartment listing photos in Japan can differ from the real room
- No key money apartments in Tokyo
Real estate advisor at Arealty Japan, specialising in helping foreign residents navigate the Tokyo and Osaka rental markets. Lucy has guided hundreds of international renters — from Working Holiday visa holders to corporate relocations — through Japan’s apartment application process. Her writing draws on firsthand experience with landlord screening, guarantor companies, and foreigner-friendly listings across all 23 Tokyo wards and major Kansai cities.
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