Quick answer: Tozai Line apartments in Tokyo cost about ¥66,000 to ¥139,000 a month for a 1K. The cheapest stations are Kasai and Nishi-Kasai in Edogawa, at about ¥66,000. Students at Waseda University usually choose Waseda, Ochiai or Nakano, where a 1K costs about ¥79,000 to ¥83,000. The line runs straight through Otemachi, so every Tokyo station is 8 stops or fewer from the business center. From Nishi-Kasai, the ride takes about 16 minutes. The trade-off is the morning rush, which is among the most crowded in Tokyo.
Tozai Line key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tokyo Metro |
| Route | Nakano (T01) to Nishi-Funabashi (T23) |
| Stations | 23 in total, 17 inside Tokyo |
| Length | 30.8 km |
| Through-service | JR Chuo-Sobu Line to Mitaka (west), Toyo Rapid Railway and JR Sobu Line (east) |
| Cheapest 1K rent in Tokyo | Kasai, about ¥65,800 |
| Most expensive 1K rent | Otemachi, about ¥138,700 |
| Busiest section | Kiba to Monzen-nakacho, 160% at peak (MLIT, FY2025) |
| Ride to Otemachi | About 16 min from Nishi-Kasai, 18 min from Kasai, 21 min from Nakano |
Rent figures are average 1K rents near each station from Iepla (ieagent.jp) market data, last updated June 2025. Use them to compare stations, then check live listings for current prices. Train times, stopping patterns and congestion figures were checked in October 2026.
Why Choose Tozai Line Apartments?
The Tozai Line is Tokyo Metro’s main east-west line. Its name simply means “east-west.” It starts at Nakano in the west, runs under Waseda, Iidabashi and Otemachi, then crosses the Sumida River into Koto and Edogawa before ending in Chiba.
There are three reasons renters like it.
It splits Tokyo in two price zones. The west side serves students and the central side serves office workers. The east side, past Toyocho, is one of the cheapest areas in the 23 wards with a direct subway to Otemachi.
It reaches the business core without a transfer. Otemachi, Nihombashi and Kayabacho are all on the line. Many people working in Marunouchi or the financial district commute on the Tozai Line every day.
It keeps going past its ends. At Nakano, many trains run through onto the JR Chuo-Sobu Line toward Ogikubo, Kichijoji and Mitaka. If you work along the Chuo Line, see our Chuo Line apartments guide. At Nishi-Funabashi, trains continue into Chiba.
How Much Do Tozai Line Apartments Cost at Each Station?
The table lists all 17 Tokyo stations from west to east. The last column shows how many stops it takes to reach Otemachi, the main business stop.
| Station | Average 1K rent | Stops to Otemachi |
|---|---|---|
| Nakano (T01) | ¥80,500 | 8 stops |
| Ochiai (T02) | ¥78,500 | 7 stops |
| Takadanobaba (T03) | ¥92,900 | 6 stops |
| Waseda (T04) | ¥82,800 | 5 stops |
| Kagurazaka (T05) | ¥91,200 | 4 stops |
| Iidabashi (T06) | ¥108,600 | 3 stops |
| Kudanshita (T07) | ¥113,900 | 2 stops |
| Takebashi (T08) | ¥106,700 | 1 stop |
| Otemachi (T09) | ¥138,700 | 0 stops |
| Nihombashi (T10) | ¥99,500 | 1 stop |
| Kayabacho (T11) | ¥96,900 | 2 stops |
| Monzen-nakacho (T12) | ¥97,200 | 3 stops |
| Kiba (T13) | ¥89,100 | 4 stops |
| Toyocho (T14) | ¥88,400 | 5 stops |
| Minami-sunamachi (T15) | ¥78,300 | 6 stops |
| Nishi-Kasai (T16) | ¥66,600 | 7 stops |
| Kasai (T17) | ¥65,800 | 8 stops |
What the numbers tell you
The line forms a clear price curve. Rent peaks in Chiyoda around Otemachi, Kudanshita and Iidabashi, then falls in both directions.
The east side falls much faster than the west. Nakano and Kasai are both 8 stops from Otemachi. Yet a 1K at Kasai costs about ¥14,700 less per month than one at Nakano. Over a two-year lease, that is roughly ¥350,000.
Waseda is good value for its location. It sits only 5 stops from Otemachi, yet costs less than Takadanobaba next door. Many of its apartments are small studios built for students.
Minami-sunamachi is the turning point. It is the last station before rent drops below ¥70,000, and it is still in Koto ward.
What Is Each Part of the Tozai Line Like?
West: Nakano to Waseda
This is the student side of the line. Takadanobaba is a busy transfer hub with the JR Yamanote Line and Seibu Shinjuku Line, and it is full of cheap ramen shops and late-night cafes. Waseda Station is the closest stop to Waseda University’s main campus, about a 5-minute walk away. Ochiai is a quiet residential stop between them. Nakano has Nakano Broadway and a lively shopping arcade, plus the through-service to the Chuo Line.
Our Waseda University off-campus housing guide compares these areas in more detail.
Central-west: Kagurazaka to Takebashi
Kagurazaka is one of Tokyo’s most charming neighborhoods, with stone-paved lanes, old ryotei restaurants and a small French community. Iidabashi is a major interchange with five lines and several universities nearby. Kudanshita and Takebashi sit beside the Imperial Palace grounds. Apartments here are expensive and mostly small, but the commute is very short.
Read our Kagurazaka neighborhood guide to see what daily life there is like.
Center: Otemachi to Kayabacho
This is the business core. Otemachi, Nihombashi and Kayabacho are full of offices, banks and department stores. Residential buildings exist, but they are fewer and more expensive. Most renters work here rather than live here.
East: Monzen-nakacho to Minami-sunamachi
Once the line crosses the Sumida River, you are in Koto ward. Monzen-nakacho is a classic shitamachi (old downtown) area, with Tomioka Hachimangu shrine, monthly temple markets and cheap izakaya. Kiba has a large park and the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. Toyocho is home to the Koto ward office and many offices of its own. Minami-sunamachi has many newer apartment buildings and big shopping centers.
Our Koto apartments guide covers the whole ward. You can also browse current Koto-ku listings.
Far east: Nishi-Kasai and Kasai
These two stations in Edogawa ward offer the cheapest Tozai Line apartments in Tokyo. Nishi-Kasai is the center of Tokyo’s best-known Indian community. About a third of Tokyo’s Indian residents live in Edogawa ward. Many first arrived around 2000 as IT engineers and chose Nishi-Kasai for its direct Tozai Line link to offices downtown. Today the area has Indian grocery stores, restaurants and the Global Indian International School. Kasai is quieter and close to Kasai Rinkai Park and the bay. Both have wide streets, many family apartments and easy access to Tokyo Disney Resort.
See our Kasai neighborhood guide and our Edogawa City guide, or browse current Edogawa-ku listings.
Which Tozai Line Station Is Best for You?
Ready to compare real listings along the line? Start with the areas below.
Koto (Monzen-nakacho to Minami-sunamachi)
Shinjuku (Waseda, Ochiai, Kagurazaka)
Waseda students: Waseda, Ochiai or Nakano
Waseda lets you walk to class. Ochiai and Nakano are 2 or 3 stops away and slightly cheaper, at about ¥79,000 to ¥81,000 for a 1K.
Lowest budget: Kasai or Nishi-Kasai
A 1K costs about ¥66,000, the lowest on the line inside Tokyo. You still reach Otemachi in 16 to 18 minutes without changing trains.
Indian and South Asian families: Nishi-Kasai
The established community means familiar food, places of worship and schools close by. Family-size apartments are also easier to find here than in central Tokyo.
Office workers in Otemachi or Nihombashi: Kiba, Toyocho or Monzen-nakacho
These stations are 3 to 5 stops from Otemachi. Kiba and Toyocho cost about ¥89,000, much less than living in Chiyoda.
Short commute at any price: Kagurazaka or Iidabashi
You can reach Otemachi in 3 or 4 stops and enjoy one of Tokyo’s best neighborhoods for food and walking.
How Crowded Is the Tozai Line at Rush Hour?
Very crowded, especially on the east side. In the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) survey for FY2025, the section from Kiba to Monzen-nakacho reached a congestion rate of 160% between 7:50 and 8:50. That placed it among the five most crowded sections in the Tokyo area, well above the Tokyo average of 143%. Before the pandemic, this section was regularly the most crowded in Japan, close to 200%.
This matters most if you live in Nishi-Kasai or Kasai and work downtown. A few habits help:
- Travel before 7:30 or after 9:00 if your job allows it.
- Ride toward the front or back cars. Cars near the stairs at Otemachi and Monzen-nakacho fill first.
- Check which trains stop at your station. Rapid trains skip Minami-sunamachi, Nishi-Kasai and Kasai, so local trains may be your only option.
- Live west of the center. Trains heading into Otemachi from the Waseda side are much less crowded.
What Are the Downsides of Tozai Line Apartments?
Rush hour crowding. As above, the east side has one of the hardest commutes in Tokyo.
Delays spread quickly. Because the line is so busy, a short stop in one place can delay trains along the whole route.
A big price jump in the middle. If you need to live in Chiyoda or Chuo ward, rent rises sharply. Most renters find better value at either end.
Older studios near universities. Many cheap rooms around Waseda and Takadanobaba are small and older. Our apartment viewing checklist helps you spot problems.
How Do You Rent Tozai Line Apartments as a Foreigner?
- Choose your direction first. West for study, east for budget, center for the shortest commute.
- Compare two or three stations. Use the table above to balance rent with your route.
- Prepare your documents. Students should read our guide to student visa apartment screening.
- Budget for move-in costs. Expect several months of rent upfront. See our apartment move-in cost guide.
- Plan for a guarantor company. Most landlords require one. Read apartments in Japan with no guarantor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tozai Line good for living in Tokyo?
Yes. Tozai Line apartments give direct access to Otemachi, Nihombashi and Waseda without transfers. Rent is also low at the east end. The main drawback is the crowded morning rush.
What is the cheapest station on the Tozai Line in Tokyo?
Kasai is the cheapest, at about ¥65,800 for a 1K. Nishi-Kasai is almost the same, at about ¥66,600.
Which Tozai Line station is closest to Waseda University?
Waseda Station is the closest. The main Waseda campus is about a 5-minute walk away.
Why is Nishi-Kasai popular with Indian residents?
Many Indian IT engineers settled in Nishi-Kasai around 2000 because the Tozai Line takes them straight to offices downtown. About a third of Tokyo’s Indian residents now live in Edogawa ward, and the area has Indian shops, restaurants and an international school.
How long does it take from Nishi-Kasai to Otemachi?
About 16 minutes on a local Tozai Line train, with no transfers. From Kasai it takes about 18 minutes.
Does the Tozai Line connect to the Chuo Line?
Yes. At Nakano, many Tozai Line trains run through onto the JR Chuo-Sobu Line toward Mitaka.
Find Tozai Line Apartments with Arealty
Arealty lists foreigner-friendly apartments all along the Tozai Line, from student studios near Waseda to family homes in Nishi-Kasai. Every listing is in English, and our team helps with applications, guarantor companies and contracts.
- Browse all apartments for rent on Arealty
- Start your search on Arealty
- Compare more areas: Koto apartments guide and Edogawa City guide
Tell us your station, budget and move date, and our bilingual team will send matching options.
About this guide
This guide was written by Lucy Nguyen, Marketing Specialist at Arealty, using station-level rent data, Tokyo Metro service information and MLIT congestion figures. Last checked: October 2026. Rent and train details change, so check current listings before you decide.
Sources
- MLIT: Urban railway congestion survey results, FY2025 (press release, July 2026)
- MLIT: Most congested sections on urban lines, FY2025 (PDF)
- Tokyo Metro: Tozai Line stations and rapid service stops
- Iepla: Tokyo Metro Tozai Line rent by station (Tokyo)
- Ekitan: Nishi-Kasai to Otemachi travel time
- Wikipedia: Edogawa, Tokyo (Indian community in Nishi-Kasai)
