Minato Apartments for Rent: Roppongi and Azabu Guide (2026)

Minato apartments for rent for foreigners represent the top of Tokyo’s rental market — and the most foreigner-accessible market in the city at the premium end. Minato-ku has the highest foreigner acceptance rate in Tokyo by a significant margin, driven by decades of diplomatic, corporate, and international community presence. The trade-off is cost: a 1K in Roppongi starts at ¥110,000/month, and a family 2LDK in Hiroo frequently exceeds ¥350,000/month.

This guide covers Minato-ku specifically as a rental destination for foreign residents in 2026: which sub-areas offer what, realistic rent data, and how the application process works at this price level. For context on how Minato compares to adjacent wards, see the Shibuya guide and the Meguro guide. For ward-wide pricing context, see the average rent in Tokyo guide. Browse Minato-ku apartments for rent on Arealty.

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Why Minato Apartments Attract Foreign Renters in Tokyo

Minato-ku’s dominance as the address of Tokyo’s expatriate elite rests on three structural factors that have compounded over decades.

Embassy density. Over 150 foreign embassies and consular offices are located in Minato-ku — more than any other ward, and more than most cities globally. The presence of diplomatic missions has created a full English-language infrastructure: international clinics, international schools, foreign-language supermarkets, and English-speaking management companies that foreign renters in other wards simply do not have access to at the same level.

International school access. Within Minato-ku or immediately adjacent, foreign families have access to the British School in Tokyo (Shirogane), the German Swiss International School, Tokyo International School, and multiple international kindergartens. For families prioritising English-medium education, Minato-ku’s school proximity eliminates one of the major logistical challenges of Tokyo life.

Corporate package alignment. Japanese housing allowances for senior executives at foreign-affiliated companies are typically set to cover Minato-ku rents — which means a large share of corporate-relocation renters have the budget to rent here specifically. The reinforcing effect is significant: as more companies locate in Roppongi Hills, Ark Hills, and the Azabudai Hills complex, demand for Minato-ku residential property among their senior employees increases.

Breathtaking Tokyo Tower views from private balcony.

Minato Apartments for Rent Tokyo: Sub-Areas for Foreigners

Roppongi — International Energy, 24-Hour Infrastructure

Roppongi is the most internationally recognised address in Minato-ku — globally associated with Tokyo nightlife, but also home to Roppongi Hills (with Mori Tower, the Grand Hyatt, and high-rise residential towers) and Azabudai Hills, the 2023 mixed-use development that added significant new residential capacity to the area.

1K rents near Roppongi: ¥115,000–¥185,000/month. The area has 24-hour convenience infrastructure unlike almost anywhere else in Tokyo outside the station areas. The Hibiya Line connects Roppongi to Ginza and Shibuya in under 10 minutes.

Azabu — Quiet Residential Premium

Azabu, particularly Nishi-Azabu, Moto-Azabu, and Minami-Azabu, is the quiet residential alternative to Roppongi’s commercial energy. Tree-lined streets, low-rise buildings, and a genuinely residential pace characterise this sub-area. Many foreign diplomats and senior executives who want Minato-ku address without Roppongi density choose Azabu.

1K rents in Azabu: ¥120,000–¥195,000/month. 2LDK for families: ¥280,000–¥400,000+/month. Key money is more common here than in other Tokyo wards — some older Azabu buildings still command 2 months’ key money as standard.

Hiroo — Family Expat Hub

This is Minato-ku’s most established family expat neighbourhood. Hiroo Plaza, the International Supermarket, and proximity to multiple international schools have made the area around Hiroo Station the closest thing Tokyo has to a self-contained international village. The Hibiya Line station connects to Roppongi (2 stops), Ebisu, and Shibuya.

2LDK rents near Hiroo: ¥280,000–¥380,000/month. The Hiroo area also has the highest concentration of foreigner-specifically designed apartment buildings in Tokyo — purpose-built for international tenants with larger floor plans, Western-style kitchens, and English-language management.

Akasaka and Tameike-Sanno — Corporate Centre

Akasaka sits in the northeastern part of Minato-ku, adjacent to the Diet Building and the Government ministries district. The area is heavily corporate — ANA InterContinental, the Capitol Hotel Tokyu, and several major TV broadcaster headquarters are here. Residential apartments in Akasaka command premium rents but offer the closest proximity to the Nagatacho government district.

1K rents in Akasaka: ¥110,000–¥170,000/month. The Tokyo Metro Ginza Line connects to Shibuya (7 minutes) and the Namboku/Ginza lines provide broader network access.

Rent by Unit Type — 2026 Data

Unit type	Roppongi/Azabudai	Azabu	Hiroo	Akasaka
1K (18–25 sqm)	¥115,000–¥185,000	¥120,000–¥195,000	¥118,000–¥190,000	¥110,000–¥168,000
1LDK (35–50 sqm)	¥175,000–¥270,000	¥185,000–¥290,000	¥180,000–¥285,000	¥162,000–¥255,000
2LDK (50–70 sqm)	¥250,000–¥380,000	¥270,000–¥420,000	¥280,000–¥400,000	¥235,000–¥360,000
3LDK (70–100 sqm)	¥350,000–¥550,000	¥380,000–¥600,000+	¥360,000–¥580,000	¥320,000–¥500,000

Minato-ku 1K median: ¥119,000/month — the highest of all 23 wards by approximately ¥4,000–¥8,000. For how this compares to adjacent wards at lower price points, see the Meguro guide (¥97,000 median) and the Shibuya guide (¥115,000 median). For a ward-by-ward table, see the average rent guide.

Browse current Minato-ku apartments for rent on Arealty — foreigner acceptance pre-confirmed, zero agency fees, bilingual support.

Modern living space with premium designer furniture.

Foreigner Acceptance in Minato-ku

Minato-ku has the highest foreigner acceptance rate in Tokyo — substantially higher than any other ward. The structural reason: the ward’s rental market has been serving foreign residents for longer than any other, and the management company infrastructure has adapted accordingly.

Work visa / Spouse visa: accepted universally; no additional friction
Student visa: accepted widely — some Hiroo and Azabu buildings specifically welcome international student and research attaché applicants
Working Holiday visa: accepted in a meaningful share of Minato-ku buildings — significantly higher than the Tokyo average for WH holders. The guarantor company setup remains the key variable. See the WH guide
Tourist visa: monthly mansion available throughout the ward — Roppongi and Akasaka have the highest monthly mansion density in Minato-ku

Commute from Minato-ku

Destination	From Roppongi	From Hiroo	From Akasaka
Shibuya	8 min (Hibiya)	5 min (Hibiya to Ebisu)	12 min (Ginza Line)
Ginza	8 min (Hibiya)	12 min	8 min (Ginza Line)
Shinjuku	15 min (Oedo Line)	18 min	12 min (Marunouchi)
Tokyo Station	18 min (Hibiya)	20 min	12 min (Marunouchi)
Narita Airport	55 min (Hibiya→Narita Sky)	60 min	52 min
Haneda Airport	35 min (Keikyu from Shinagawa)	38 min	32 min

Airport access from Minato-ku is a genuine differentiator for frequent international travelers — the Keikyu Line from Shinagawa reaches Haneda in 13 minutes, and Shinagawa is 8–12 minutes from most Minato-ku stations.

The Rental Process at Premium Price Points

The rental process in Minato-ku follows the standard Tokyo sequence but with additional considerations at premium price points.

Move-in costs for a ¥150,000/month Minato-ku apartment:

Fee	Typical amount
Security deposit	¥150,000–¥300,000 (1–2 months)
Key money (礼金)	¥0–¥300,000 (0–2 months — more common than outer wards)
Agency fee	¥165,000 incl. tax — Arealty charges zero
First month’s rent	¥150,000
Guarantor fee	¥40,000–¥70,000
Fire insurance	¥18,000–¥25,000
Total upfront	¥523,000–¥1,010,000

Key money is more prevalent in Minato-ku than in any other Tokyo ward — particularly in older Azabu and Hiroo buildings with established foreign tenant histories. Confirm explicitly before advancing. For the no-key-money breakdown, see the Tokyo no key money guide. For the full application process, see the foreigner rental guide.

Elegant entrance at a premium apartment building.

Who Should Rent Minato Apartments as a Foreigner in Tokyo

Strong fit for Minato apartments for rent:

Senior corporate expatriates on housing packages that cover ¥200,000–¥400,000/month
Diplomatic community members and embassy staff
Foreign families prioritising international school proximity and English-language daily infrastructure
Finance and professional services sector renters commuting to Ginza and Roppongi

Consider alternatives if:

Budget is under ¥110,000/month for a 1K — Meguro or Shibuya offer comparable foreigner acceptance at lower cost
You want maximum space per yen — Minato has the highest cost-per-sqm in Tokyo; Setagaya offers more space at 40–50% lower rents
Your commute is north-facing — Bunkyo or Toshima are more efficient

Browse Minato-ku apartments for rent on Arealty — all listings pre-confirmed for foreigner acceptance, zero agency fees, bilingual support throughout.