You can think of them a bit like what Manhattan Island is to New York or the innermost arrondissements are to Paris. The central 5 wards (or C5W) are, besides a few up-and-coming contestors, the most popular wards to live in or have your office address in. Unsurprisingly, they also command the highest land prices and rents.

What makes Tokyo’s central five wards special

Tokyo’s cityscape has two defining fixed points: The Imperial Palace at the geographic and cultural centre of the city and the Yamanote Line that encircles the centre of the city. Tokyo’s central 5 wards, or C5W all fall within the Yamanote Line and are in closest proximity to the palace–which is located in Chiyoda Ward, or Chiyoda-ku as it is called in Japanese.

Here is a short overview of the wards.

1. Minato Ward

An all-time expat favourite, this ward encompasses the business and nightlife area of Roppongi, sophisticated Azabu with high-end shopping streets and residential towers and trendy Aoyama. Land prices in Minato Ward are around JPY 1,790,000/m² and rent for a new apartment no older than 5 years is around JPY 5,550/m².

2. Shibuya Ward

Shibuya is not only world famous for its scramble crossing, but also its shopping. The central area around Shibuya Station is especially attractive to younger folks, but other neighbourhoods in the ward, including swanky Daikanyama and the area around Yoyogi Park have a slower pace and more mature vibe. The ward is currently undergoing a major facelift in time for the 2020 Olympics. Land prices in Shibuya Ward are around JPY 1,500,000/m² and rent for a new apartment no older than 5 years around JPY 5,200/m².

3. Chiyoda Ward

The true geographic heart of Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward is home to the Imperial Palace and most of the national government offices. It also includes Marunouchi, the business district located around Tokyo Station. Things get quiet here at night, and its residential areas, including Ichigaya and Kudan, carry a distinct old money feel. No wonder, as they were once the home of samurai and nowadays to ambassadors and CEOs. Land prices in Chiyoda are around JPY 1,350,000/m² and rent for a new apartment no older than 5 years around JPY 4,900/m².

4. Shinjuku Ward

Shinjuku is truly a city that never sleeps. Clustered around the world’s busiest train station of the same name, the ward is a business district on its west side by day and a nightlife and red-light district called Kabukicho on the east side by night. To the north, it also encompasses the Korean quarter of Tokyo, Okubo, and the traditional and charming Kagurazaka to the east. The government has made considerable clean-up efforts to make the east side more family-friendly, which made it a popular destination with tourists in recent years. Land prices in Shinjuku are around JPY 1,175,000/m² and rent for a new apartment no older than 5 years around JPY 4,570/m².

5. Chuo Ward

Chuo faces Tokyo’s bay area, which offers stunning views of an urban waterfront. Parts of it, including Harumi and Kachidoki, are reclaimed land. Other notable districts include the luxury shopping area of Ginza and Tsukiji, once home to the world’s largest fish market. Land prices in Chuo Ward are around JPY 1,180,000/m² and rent for a new apartment no older than 5 years around JPY 4500/m².

Which other Tokyo areas are popular?

As we mentioned above, not only the C5W are considered prime real estate. Exceptions that fall outside the Yamanote Line but are extremely popular neighbourhoods include Setagaya Ward, Kichijoji in Musashino City (which is still part of Tokyo) and Nakameguro in Meguro Ward.

By Mareike Dornhege

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