With so many railway lines criss‑crossing Tokyo, it can be difficult to figure out which line—and which station—offers the best combination of convenience and affordable rent. This guide introduces, station by station, areas that score well on both counts.
Known as Tokyo’s electric town (lately better known for anime and maid cafés?), Akihabara is a major terminal where JR, subway, and private-railway lines converge. In fact, there are numerous stations outside the Yamanote Line loop that are still within a 20-minute ride. Here we will cover two patterns:
● Within 20 minutes to Akihabara with no transfers (direct trains)
● Within 20 minutes with one transfer
The stations are listed comprehensively, grouped by line.
*Travel times are rough estimates based on weekday daytime schedules (including local and rapid services, but excluding limited-express and surcharge services).
JR Chūō–Sōbu Line (Local)
JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line
Tsukuba Express
Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
This local section heads toward Chiba. The scenery shifts from traditional downtown areas to bedroom communities, but all stations below reach Akihabara on a single train.
| Station | Approx. time to Akihabara | Remarks |
| Asakusabashi | ≈ 2 min | Famous wholesale district; retro downtown shopping streets |
| Ryōgoku | ≈ 4 min | Ryōgoku Kokugikan & Edo-Tokyo Museum within walking distance |
| Kinshichō | ≈ 6 min | Sub-center packed with large commercial facilities |
| Kameido | ≈ 8 min | Shopping streets and classic downtown cuisine |
| Hirai | ≈ 11 min | Quiet residential area |
| Koiwa | ≈ 14 min | Eastern-most downtown hub of Edogawa Ward |
| Ichikawa | ≈ 19 min | Gateway on the Chiba side; station-front redevelopment under way |
| Property Name | ： | IDEA KAMEIDO |
| Eligibility | ： | Women only Foreign nationals OK |
| Rent | ： | ¥49,000 – ¥57,000 |
| Utilities | ： | ¥12,000 |
| Rooms | ： | 8 rooms |
| Access | ： | JR Sōbu Line “Kameido” Sta. 9 min walk |
This line runs from Tokyo’s Kita Ward into southern Saitama. Even during rapid-service hours, trains to and from Akihabara run as locals; the northern stations below are all within 20 minutes.
| Station | To Akihabara | Town snapshot |
| Kaminakazato | ≈ 11 min | Somewhat hidden-gem station |
| Ōji | ≈ 12 min | Asukayama Park; connects to Toden Arakawa Line |
| Jūjō | ≈ 14 min | Lively Jūjō Ginza shopping street |
| Akabane | ≈ 17 min | Kita Ward’s largest hub, packed with eateries |
| Ōimachi | ≈ 20 min | Plenty of commercial facilities |
| Property Name | ： | BeGood Kaminakazato |
| Eligibility | ： | Men & women OK Foreign nationals OK |
| Rent | ： | ¥56,000 – ¥69,000 |
| Utilities | ： | ¥14,000 |
| Rooms | ： | 18 rooms |
| Access | ： | JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line “Kaminakazato” Sta. 6 min walk |
This relatively new line links Akihabara to Tsukuba in as little as 45 minutes. The northeast corridor through Adachi Ward to the Saitama border is all within 20 minutes.
| Station | Approx. time to Akihabara | Remarks |
| Shin-Okachimachi | ≈ 2 min | Crosses Toei Ōedo Line; classic downtown area |
| Asakusa (TX) | ≈ 4 min | Main Asakusa sights within walking distance |
| Minami-Senju (TX) | ≈ 7 min | Downtown zone under redevelopment |
| Kita-Senju | ≈ 10 min | Massive hub with five rail lines |
| Aoi | ≈ 12 min | Quiet residential area; lower rents |
| Rokuchō | ≈ 14 min | Newly planned residential district |
| Yashio | ≈ 16 min | Bed town on the Saitama border; large shopping center |
| Misato-Chūō | ≈ 19 min | One of TX’s fastest-growing new towns |
| Property Name | ： | Social Place AOI |
| Eligibility | ： | Men & women OK Foreign nationals OK |
| Rent | ： | ¥24,800 – ¥69,800 |
| Utilities | ： | ¥17,800 |
| Rooms | ： | 30 rooms |
| Access | ： | Tsukuba Express “Aoi” Sta. 7 min walk |
Running toward Kita-Senju, the Hibiya Line cuts through traditional downtown districts of Arakawa and Adachi Wards. It is one of the few subway lines offering a single-seat ride to Akihabara.
| Station | Approx. time to Akihabara | Remarks |
| Iriya | ≈ 4 min | Temple district near Ueno; retro atmosphere |
| Minowa | ≈ 6 min | Downtown vibe and old-school shopping street |
| Minami-Senju | ≈ 8 min | Mix of high-rise redevelopments and old townscape |
| Kita-Senju | ≈ 12 min | Major hub connecting Tobu, JR, TX, and more |
| Property Name | ： | THE DAY Iriya |
| Eligibility | ： | Men & women OK Foreign nationals OK |
| Rent | ： | ¥83,000 – ¥115,000 |
| Utilities | ： | ¥21,000 |
| Rooms | ： | 52 rooms |
| Access | ： | Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line “Iriya” Sta. 1 min walk |
Keeping transfers to just one extends the 20-minute reach to parts of western and eastern Tokyo. Key routes are summarized below.
Chūō Line Rapid → Ochanomizu → Chūō–Sōbu Line (Local)
Tokyo Metro Tōzai Line → Kayabachō → Hibiya Line
| Station | Travel time | Town snapshot |
| Higashi-Nakano | ≈ 16 min | “A hidden urban retreat” combining calm and convenience |
| Nakano | ≈ 18 min | Redeveloping hub, mixing subculture and shopping streets |
| Kōenji | ≈ 19 min | Town of vintage clothing stores and live houses |
| Property Name | ： | Social Base Higashi-Nakano |
| Eligibility | ： | Men & women OK Foreign nationals OK |
| Rent | ： | ¥75,000 – ¥79,000 |
| Utilities | ： | ¥19,000 |
| Rooms | ： | 102 rooms |
| Access | ： | Chūō Line “Higashi-Nakano” Sta. 4 min walk |
| Station | Travel time | Town snapshot |
| Monzen-Nakachō | ≈ 11 min | Chic downtown district blending tradition and convenience |
| Kiba | ≈ 13 min | Urban oasis where a large park meets shopping facilities |
| Tōyōchō | ≈ 13 min | Balanced urban zone of offices and residences |
| Minami-Sunamachi | ≈ 17 min | Living-focused bed town with large malls |
| Nishi-Kasai | ≈ 20 min | International town noted for its Indian cuisine scene |
| Property Name | ： | BeGood Tōyōchō Ekimae |
| Eligibility | ： | Men & women OK Foreign nationals OK |
| Rent | ： | ¥57,000 – ¥59,000 |
| Utilities | ： | ¥14,000 |
| Rooms | ： | 24 rooms |
| Access | ： | Tōzai Line “Tōyōchō” Sta. 5 min walk |
Because multiple lines intersect at Akihabara, stations outside the Yamanote loop within a 20-minute reach cover a surprisingly wide area. Direct routes include downtown hubs such as Kinshichō, Akabane, and Kita-Senju, while one-transfer routes bring in nodes like Nakano and Nishi-Kasai.
Compare the character of each line and neighbourhood to find the area that matches your lifestyle. With Akihabara as your base, you can surely strike the optimal balance between living environment and rent.
SHARE PARADE（シェアパレード） の運営責任者です。「EDIT YOUR LIFE ― 今の暮らしをちょっと変えてみる」を合言葉に、**コミュニティのある暮らし（Community Living）**を中心としたシェアハウスを紹介しています。2011年の立ち上げ以来、東京全域で800件以上を現地取材。私自身も一人暮らし／シェアハウス／ルームシェア／ソーシャルマンションを一通り経験しており、一次情報と体験の両方を基準にサイトを運営しています。「住む場所が変われば、ライフスタイルも変わる」。コミュニティがある暮らしの楽しさと安心を、もっと当たり前の選択肢に――それがSHARE PARADEの役割であり、私のミッションです。 I am the administrator of the website 'SHARE PARADE.' Under the motto “EDIT YOUR LIFE—make a small change to your everyday,” we feature share houses centered on community living. Since our launch in 2011, I have visited and reviewed more than 800 properties across Tokyo. I’ve personally experienced living alone, in share houses, in room shares, and in social apartments, and I run the site based on both first-hand information and lived experience. I believe that when your home changes, your lifestyle changes too. My mission—and SHARE PARADE’s role—is to make the joy and peace of mind of community living a more everyday choice.
