1 1 school$4,800/mo avg rentVery Large expat community
Tokyo's quintessential expat village, a leafy pocket packed with foreign embassies and international supermarkets. Near Nishimachi International School.
5/5
Safety
5/5
Family Friendly
5/5
Quality of Life
5/5
Expat Friendly
5/5
Healthcare
Very Large
Expat Community
2-33°C
Temp Range
Moderate
English Level
☀️ Climate & Weather
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions
33°C
Hottest (Aug)
2°C
Coolest (Jan)
14
Sunny days/mo avg
1520mm
Annual rainfall
Avg highAvg lowSea tempRainfall
16°
🌊 Jan
16°
🌊 Feb
17°
🌊 Mar
18°
🌊 Apr
20°
🌊 May
23°
🌊 Jun
26°
🌊 Jul
27°
🌊 Aug
25°
🌊 Sep
22°
🌊 Oct
19°
🌊 Nov
17°
🌊 Dec
💰 Cost of Living
Monthly family budget estimates (USD)
At a Glance
$4,800
Avg. rent /mo
$9.00
Budget meal
$65
Mid-range dinner (2 ppl)
Dining & Drinks
Cappuccino$5.50
Domestic beer$5.00
Imported beer$7.50
Water (1.5L)$1.20
Groceries
Loaf of bread$2.50
Milk (1L)$1.80
Dozen eggs$2.80
Chicken (1 kg)$8.00
Transport
Taxi flag-drop$5.50
Taxi per km$3.20
Monthly transit pass$90
Gasoline (per liter)$1.45
Monthly Bills
Internet$35 /mo
Utilities (avg.)$120 /mo
Gym membership$80 /mo
Domestic help$1,800 /mo
Preschool / nursery$1,200 /mo
Comfortable
Modern apartment, public transport, occasional international school
$6,000/mo
Rent$3,000
Groceries$550
Lifestyle & leisure$250
Transport$120
Utilities$130
Dining out$700
Healthcare$150
School fees (per child)$1,000
Domestic help$100
Established
Spacious apartment or house, international school, active expat social life
$13,500/mo
Rent$7,000
Groceries$1,000
Lifestyle & leisure$620
Transport$200
Utilities$180
Dining out$1,500
Healthcare$300
School fees (per child)$2,500
Domestic help$200
Premium
Large detached house, full staff, elite international school, corporate package lifestyle
$28,000/mo
Rent$16,000
Groceries$1,500
Lifestyle & leisure$1,500
Transport$600
Utilities$300
Dining out$2,500
Healthcare$600
School fees (per child)$3,500
Domestic help$1,500
Hiroo is the heartland of Tokyo's expat professional community. High rents reflect premium housing stock and proximity to international schools and embassies. Many employers provide housing allowances.
🌬️ Air Quality
Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)
38Jan
40Feb
45Mar
42Apr
38May
35Jun
33Jul
32Aug
34Sep
36Oct
40Nov
42Dec
Good (0–50)Moderate (51–100)USG (101–150)Unhealthy (151+)
Yearly average AQI is 38. Best air quality Jan–Dec (best: Aug at 32).
👥 Demographics
35%
Expat Population
Very High
Income Level
25000
Population
Nationalities
Japanese65%
American10%
Chinese6%
Korean5%
British4%
Languages Spoken
Japanese65%
English22%
🏘️ Community & Culture
Tokyo's densest concentration of expat families and institutionsTokyo American Club — premier social hub for English speakersInternational House of Japan — cultural and academic eventsGenuinely cosmopolitan, not a bubble — well integrated with local life
The Expat Heartland of Tokyo
🌳 Parks & Recreation
Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park — forest, pond, and lawnsTokyo American Club — pools, gym, tennis, and sports leaguesCherry blossoms at Arisugawa — one of Tokyo's finestCycling to Meguro River path in 10 minutes
Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park
🚗 Getting Around
Hibiya Line — Roppongi in 2 stops, Ginza in 15 minCentral station with all daily needs walkableBus routes to Shibuya and Shinjuku without transferCar-friendly for international school runs (2–3 km radius)
Hibiya Line and Walking Distance to Everything
🛒 Daily Life
Hiroo Supermarket and Meidi-Ya — excellent international groceriesCluster of top international schools within walking distanceFamily-friendly restaurant scene balancing Japanese and internationalActive PTA and school-gate social calendar
International Supermarkets and Convenience
📝 Living with the Climate
Hiroo shares Tokyo's humid subtropical climate, moderated slightly by the relatively low building density compared to central Tokyo. The neighbourhood's tree-lined main street and proximity to Arisugawa Park provide some relief from the summer urban heat island effect. Winters are dry and cold but generally above freezing. The neighbourhood is pleasant year-round with spring and autumn being peak seasons for outdoor life.
