“I want to live in Takadanobaba, but paying more than ¥100,000 in rent alone would be difficult.”
Takadanobaba offers convenient access to schools and workplaces, as well as plenty of options for dining and shopping. However, the apartments measuring more than 20 m² that we examined were priced above ¥100,000 per month. When looking at apartments in the ¥70,000 range, the small size of the rooms becomes a concern.
You want to keep the rent low, but you also want space for a desk where you can study and somewhere to store your clothes and suitcase. Spending all your time on your bed from the moment you return home until you go to sleep may not feel quite right either.
In that situation, one option worth considering is a lifestyle in which you retain your own private room while sharing a spacious living room and kitchen.
This time, we compared the share house “FineMaison Takadanobaba” with five studio and 1K apartments within a 15-minute walk of Takadanobaba Station. We examine not only the rent, but also utilities, household supplies, upfront costs, and how practical each room is to use.
In some cases, a small apartment costs less. With that in mind, let us compare not only “how much it costs to live there,” but also “what kind of daily life that amount provides.”
〇Why Live in Takadanobaba? Because Everyday Life Is Convenient
〇Average Rents for Studio, 1K, 1DK, and 1LDK Apartments in Takadanobaba
〇The Six Actual Properties Compared in This Article
〇Share House | FineMaison Takadanobaba
〇Features of Studio Apartments A–E
〇How Much Does Each Property Cost per Month, Including Utilities and Household Supplies?
〇How Much Is Required for Upfront Costs?
〇How Much Do the Monthly Payments Differ Over Two Years?
〇Differences in Lifestyle Between a Small Apartment and a Share House
〇Points for International Students and People Moving to Tokyo to Confirm
〇Which Is Better Suited to You: a Share House or a Studio Apartment?
Takadanobaba Station is served by three lines: the JR Yamanote Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line, and Tokyo Metro Tozai Line. It offers convenient access to Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, making it easy to commute to school or work.
In addition to universities and vocational schools, the area also has Japanese-language schools. Restaurants and supermarkets are readily available, making it easy to organize everyday routines such as shopping on your way home after class or having dinner after work.
International students may not want to add a long commute to the challenges of adjusting to life in Tokyo. Working professionals may want to shorten their daily journeys and preserve more time to rest at home. Part of the appeal of living in Takadanobaba is that it can make everyday life a little easier.
However, the more convenient the location, the more rent becomes a concern. Before moving farther away, another option is to change how you live while remaining within the same Takadanobaba area.
Find a Home That Fits Your Budget in the Takadanobaba Area
First, let us examine average rents around Takadanobaba Station. The average rents listed by LIFULL HOME’S are as follows.
| Layout | Average Monthly Rent | What the Living Space Is Like |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | ¥109,100 | A layout in which the living area and kitchen share one space |
| 1K | ¥119,600 | A layout in which the kitchen and living area are separated |
| 1DK | ¥153,000 | A layout that makes it easier to separate the sleeping and dining areas |
| 1LDK | ¥209,000 | A layout with a separate living room and bedroom |
Swipe horizontally to view the full table
Despite Takadanobaba’s image as a student neighborhood, average rents for studios and 1K apartments exceed ¥100,000. Management fees and the electricity, gas, and water you use must also be added.
Even people who thought, “I could probably manage if the rent were ¥100,000,” will need a slightly larger budget once all monthly payments are included.
These averages are based on properties within a 10-minute walk of the station and do not include management or similar fees. The actual properties in this article are compared within a 15-minute walk of the station.
Find a Home That Fits Your Budget in the Takadanobaba Area
We compare FineMaison Takadanobaba with Studio Apartments A–E from the standard rental market. A–E are labels used for this comparison and include some properties with 1K layouts.
| Property | Size and Type | Rent / Management or Common Service Fee | Distance from Takadanobaba Station | Building Type and Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FineMaison Takadanobaba | Furnished private room 13 m² in this comparison |
¥66,000–¥87,000 Common service fee: ¥20,000 |
13-minute walk | Large share house with 80 rooms |
| Studio Apartment A | 1K・25.41 m² | ¥117,000 Management fee: ¥8,000 |
8-minute walk | Apartment building・10 years old |
| Studio Apartment B | 1K・26.19 m² | ¥106,000 Management fee: ¥12,000 |
12-minute walk | Apartment building・Newly built |
| Studio Apartment C | 1R・14.03 m² | ¥71,000 Management fee: ¥4,500 |
6-minute walk | Low-rise apartment building・7 years old |
| Studio Apartment D | 1K・18.04 m² | ¥87,000 Management fee: ¥5,000 |
7-minute walk | Apartment building・25 years old |
| Studio Apartment E | 1K・20.75 m² | ¥110,000 Management fee: ¥10,000 |
9-minute walk | Apartment building・14 years old |
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Apartments A, B, and E are the three properties exceeding 20 m² in this comparison, with rents ranging from ¥106,000 to ¥117,000. By contrast, Apartment C, priced in the ¥70,000 range, measures 14.03 m², while Apartment D, priced in the ¥80,000 range, measures 18.04 m².
As the rent decreases, the room size and building age also change. FineMaison Takadanobaba is a 13-minute walk from the station, so Apartments A, C, D, and E have an advantage in proximity. Compare not only the rooms themselves but also the distance you will walk every day.
FineMaison Takadanobaba is a 13-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station on all lines. It is a large share house with 80 rooms, open to both men and women as well as international residents.
Rent ranges from ¥66,000 to ¥87,000, with a common service fee of ¥20,000. The combined monthly cost is therefore ¥86,000–¥107,000.
For this comparison, we use an advertised 13 m² private room with rent of ¥75,000. Including the common service fee, the monthly cost is ¥95,000.
The private room includes a bed, desk, chair, refrigerator, storage, and other furnishings. The common areas include an LDK measuring more than 54 tatami mats, approximately 87.5 m², and a second living room. Even without placing a sofa or large dining table in your own room, you have places outside it where you can relax.
Review your classwork at your own desk. Eat in the dining area. When you want a slight change of atmosphere, move to a sofa in the living room.
Instead of packing every part of your daily life into a single room, you can spend time in different places throughout the house. This is a major difference from living in a small studio apartment.
You can view photographs of the private rooms and the atmosphere of the living areas on the FineMaison Takadanobaba property page. Check the rent and size of the rooms currently available to determine whether they fit your budget.
View the Private Rooms and Common Areas at FineMaison Takadanobaba
The rent is ¥117,000, and the management fee is ¥8,000. It is an apartment in a 10-year-old building located an eight-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station. The security deposit and non-refundable key money are ¥117,000 each.
With a 1K layout and 25.41 m² of private floor space, this apartment offers one of the largest private spaces in this comparison. It is suitable for people who want to bring their own furniture and have a kitchen and bathroom entirely to themselves.
The estimated monthly cost, including utilities and household supplies, is ¥139,833. The actual monthly burden is higher than the advertised rent alone.
The rent is ¥106,000, and the management fee is ¥12,000. It is a newly built apartment located a 12-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station. Waseda Station is also accessible within a 13-minute walk.
The apartment measures 26.19 m². The security deposit is ¥106,000, and the key money is ¥212,000, bringing these two charges alone to ¥318,000.
The estimated monthly cost, including utilities and household supplies, is ¥132,833. The listing also states that no separate internet usage fee is required. Occupancy is scheduled to begin in late October 2026, so you must also check whether this matches your preferred moving date.
The rent is ¥71,000, and the management fee is ¥4,500. It is an apartment in a seven-year-old low-rise building located a six-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station. No security deposit or key money is required.
The apartment measures 14.03 m². Its estimated monthly cost, including utilities and household supplies, is ¥90,333, making it less expensive than the ¥95,000-per-month private room used as the FineMaison Takadanobaba example.
This is a strong option for people with few belongings who can live comfortably in a compact room. During the viewing, check whether you can pull out the chair after placing a bed and desk and whether there is enough room to open and organize your luggage.
The rent is ¥87,000, and the management fee is ¥5,000. It is an apartment in a 25-year-old building located a seven-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station. The security deposit and key money are ¥87,000 each.
The private floor area is 18.04 m², and the main room measures 5.5 tatami mats, approximately 8.9 m². This option suits people willing to compromise slightly on space and building age in exchange for proximity to the station and private wet-area facilities.
The estimated monthly cost, including utilities, household supplies, and a monthly guarantee fee of ¥920, is ¥107,753.
The rent is ¥110,000, and the management fee is ¥10,000. It is an apartment in a 14-year-old building located a nine-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station. No security deposit is required, and the key money is ¥110,000.
This 1K apartment measures 20.75 m², and the listing states that no separate internet usage fee is required. The estimated monthly cost, including utilities, household supplies, and a neighborhood association fee of ¥100, is ¥134,933.
Even without a security deposit, brokerage and guarantee fees are still required separately. You should not decide based only on the phrase “no security deposit”; confirm the total amount required when moving in.
FineMaison Takadanobaba’s ¥20,000 common service fee includes electricity, gas, water, shared household supplies, cleaning of the common areas, and other services.
At a studio apartment, after paying rent and the management fee, you must continue paying for the utilities you use, detergent, toilet paper, and other necessities yourself. We therefore add the following expenses to the studio apartments for comparison.
| Item | Calculated Monthly Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | ¥13,333 | Based on the average for one-person households in Japan’s Family Income and Expenditure Survey |
| Household supplies | ¥1,500 | An assumed amount for toilet paper, detergent, sponges, and similar items |
| Total | ¥14,833 | The actual amount varies depending on usage |
For FineMaison Takadanobaba, the basic calculation is rent plus the common service fee. For Studio Apartments A–E, the basic calculation is rent plus the management fee plus ¥14,833, with any other monthly fees stated in the listings also added.
| Property | Rent Plus Management or Common Service Fee | Separate Utilities, Household Supplies, and Other Expenses | Estimated Monthly Cost | Difference from the ¥95,000 FineMaison Takadanobaba Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FineMaison Takadanobaba 13 m² private-room example |
¥95,000 | Included in the common service fee | ¥95,000 | － |
| Studio Apartment A | ¥125,000 | ¥14,833 | ¥139,833 | ＋¥44,833 |
| Studio Apartment B | ¥118,000 | ¥14,833 | ¥132,833 | ＋¥37,833 |
| Studio Apartment C | ¥75,500 | ¥14,833 | ¥90,333 | −¥4,667 Apartment C costs less |
| Studio Apartment D | ¥92,000 | ¥14,833 ＋¥920 guarantee fee |
¥107,753 | ＋¥12,753 |
| Studio Apartment E | ¥120,000 | ¥14,833 ＋¥100 neighborhood association fee |
¥134,933 | ＋¥39,933 |
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The difference between Apartments A, B, and E, all measuring more than 20 m², and the ¥95,000-per-month FineMaison Takadanobaba private-room example is approximately ¥38,000–¥45,000 per month.
A difference of around ¥40,000 every month changes how much money you can retain for tuition, educational materials, and savings. Instead of eliminating everything enjoyable from your life to pay the rent, you may be able to preserve some room in your budget for purposes other than housing.
By contrast, Apartment C costs ¥90,333 per month. This is ¥4,667 less than the ¥95,000-per-month FineMaison Takadanobaba private-room example. This is the price advantage of a small apartment.
Studio Apartment C is compact, but everything inside the apartment is for your exclusive use. With the FineMaison Takadanobaba private-room example used here, the wet-area facilities are shared, but residents can use a large living room and kitchen separate from their private rooms.
Would you prefer “an inexpensive lifestyle completed entirely within your own apartment”? Or would you prefer “to pay slightly more and gain additional places to spend time within your home”? Even with a budget in the ¥90,000 range, the lifestyles available to you differ.
FineMaison Takadanobaba’s monthly cost varies from ¥86,000 to ¥107,000 depending on the private room selected. Some rooms cost less than Apartment C, while others cost more. Compare the prices of the private rooms that are actually available.
No professional cleaning service fee is added to the studio apartments, as residents are assumed to clean them themselves. The calculation also assumes that no separately charged home internet connection will be added. If one is required, that fee must also be included.
Find a Home That Fits Your Budget in the Takadanobaba Area
In addition to the monthly rent, the amount of money you need to prepare before moving is important. Particularly when moving to Tokyo or coming to Japan to study, transportation and tuition expenses may occur at the same time, so you do not want to use all your savings merely to move in.
First, let us compare the first month’s rent and management fees with the security deposit and key money. For FineMaison Takadanobaba, the deposit is shown in the security-deposit and key-money column.
| Property | First Month’s Rent and Management Fees | Security Deposit and Key Money or Deposit |
Subtotal to This Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| FineMaison Takadanobaba ¥95,000-per-month private-room example |
¥95,000 | Deposit: ¥30,000 | ¥125,000 |
| Studio Apartment A | ¥125,000 | Security deposit: ¥117,000 Key money: ¥117,000 |
¥359,000 |
| Studio Apartment B | ¥118,000 | Security deposit: ¥106,000 Key money: ¥212,000 |
¥436,000 |
| Studio Apartment C | ¥75,500 | No security deposit or key money | ¥75,500 |
| Studio Apartment D | ¥92,000 | Security deposit: ¥87,000 Key money: ¥87,000 |
¥266,000 |
| Studio Apartment E | ¥120,000 | No security deposit Key money: ¥110,000 |
¥230,000 |
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These figures are not the total upfront costs. Insurance premiums, guarantee fees, brokerage fees, lock replacement fees, contract administration fees, and other charges must be confirmed separately.
For the ¥95,000-per-month FineMaison Takadanobaba private-room example, adding the advertised ¥10,000 fire insurance premium to the ¥125,000 shown above results in a total of ¥135,000. The final amount payable varies depending on whether a contract administration fee applies, the amount of that fee, and the conditions for prorated and advance payments.
For Studio Apartment B, the security deposit and key money alone total ¥318,000. For Studio Apartment A, they total ¥234,000. The difference therefore affects not only the monthly burden but also the “cash required to begin living there.”
Because Apartment C requires neither a security deposit nor key money, it is also an option for people who want to reduce their initial burden. However, the advertised initial guarantee fee is at least ¥37,750, and the insurance premium is ¥18,000. Brokerage and other fees must also be confirmed.
After renting an apartment, you must also prepare a bed, desk, refrigerator, washing machine, curtains, and other necessities. If this is your first time living alone, you must consider not only the purchase costs but also the time required to select the items and receive their deliveries.
FineMaison Takadanobaba offers furnished private rooms, while the laundry facilities and kitchen are shared. This reduces the burden of acquiring everything necessary for daily life from scratch.
If you have only recently arrived in Japan and are unfamiliar with where to purchase furniture or how the necessary procedures work, the ease of beginning your new life may be a major benefit in addition to the financial savings.
We calculate what happens if the monthly costs shown above continue for 24 months. Upfront costs, renewal fees, and similar charges are excluded here; we compare only recurring monthly items, including rent, management fees, utilities, and household supplies.
| Property | Estimated Monthly Cost | 24-Month Total | Difference from FineMaison Takadanobaba |
|---|---|---|---|
| FineMaison Takadanobaba ¥95,000-per-month private-room example |
¥95,000 | ¥2,280,000 | － |
| Studio Apartment A | ¥139,833 | ¥3,355,992 | ＋¥1,075,992 |
| Studio Apartment B | ¥132,833 | ¥3,187,992 | ＋¥907,992 |
| Studio Apartment C | ¥90,333 | ¥2,167,992 | −¥112,008 |
| Studio Apartment D | ¥107,753 | ¥2,586,072 | ＋¥306,072 |
| Studio Apartment E | ¥134,933 | ¥3,238,392 | ＋¥958,392 |
Swipe horizontally to view the full table
The difference between Apartments A, B, and E, all measuring more than 20 m², and the FineMaison Takadanobaba private-room example used here amounts to approximately ¥910,000–¥1.08 million over two years.
You may choose to pay that difference to have your own private kitchen and bathroom and a larger apartment. That is one valid choice. Conversely, if you can share wet-area facilities, the amount of money you can retain for purposes other than housing becomes considerably larger.
Apartment C is calculated to cost approximately ¥112,000 less over two years. The important point is not to find a home that is cheaper than every studio apartment, but to choose a lifestyle that you find acceptable within a budget you can afford.
You may be able to fit a bed and desk but lack enough space to pull out the chair fully. To open your luggage, you may first have to move other belongings onto the bed. When choosing a small room, you should consider not only whether the furniture will fit but also how you will move around afterward.
Studio Apartment C’s 14.03 m² represents the entire apartment, including the wet-area facilities, rather than only the main room. By contrast, the 13 m² FineMaison Takadanobaba example represents the private room itself. The kitchen and bathrooms are located outside the private room.
However, the shared living room cannot simply be added to the area of your room and treated as though you have a “large private room.” Compare the space exclusively available to you separately from the areas you can use outside your private room.
Even after finishing your studies or work, spending all your time between the same desk and bed may make it difficult to switch your state of mind.
FineMaison Takadanobaba has a large LDK and a second living room. When you want to eat, talk with someone, or rest on a sofa, you can leave your private room and choose another place to spend your time.
“Reducing your rent” does not necessarily mean “living only inside a small room.” By sharing certain spaces, you can create more places to spend time within your home.
In a studio apartment, you can use your own private bathroom, toilet, and kitchen. Not having to consider when other residents are using these facilities is a clear advantage.
At FineMaison Takadanobaba, wet-area facilities are shared, but the common areas are cleaned regularly. Although you must still clean up after using them, you do not have to manage the bathrooms and toilets entirely by yourself.
Of course, these facilities may become busy at certain times. During the property viewing, check their cleanliness, distance from your room, and conditions around the times when you expect to use them. If you are strongly uncomfortable with sharing wet-area facilities, there is no need to force yourself to choose a share house.
When living in Tokyo for the first time, some people may find reassurance in having others outside school or work with whom they can exchange greetings. Shared living rooms and kitchens can create opportunities for conversations to begin.
However, you do not need to assume that you must socialize every day. Time spent resting in your own room is also important. Check whether the atmosphere and noise levels in the common areas, as well as the rules regarding visitors and telephone calls, suit you.
If you choose Takadanobaba, check not only the time required to reach the station but also the actual route to the school or workplace you will attend. The station exit you use and the location of the building can affect your everyday convenience.
FineMaison Takadanobaba accepts international residents, but applications require documents and screening. Confirming the available move-in date, the initial amount required, and the contract period in advance will make it easier to prepare for your arrival in Japan or your move.
If you may move again after a short period, the move-out conditions are also important. For example, Studio Apartment C’s listing states that terminating the contract within one year incurs a penalty equal to one month’s rent. Do not consider only the low cost at move-in; explain how long you expect to stay and confirm the applicable conditions.
You can ask about FineMaison Takadanobaba’s move-in dates and upfront costs through the FineMaison Takadanobaba property details page.
For Apartments A, B, and E, which all exceed 20 m², the monthly cost including utilities, household supplies, and other recurring expenses was approximately ¥133,000–¥140,000.
FineMaison Takadanobaba costs ¥86,000–¥107,000 per month, including the common service fee. For the 13 m² private room costing ¥95,000 per month featured here, the difference compared with Apartments A, B, and E is approximately ¥38,000–¥45,000 per month.
Less expensive alternatives also exist, such as the small Apartment C. That lifestyle may suit people who want everything entirely for themselves despite the compact space.
However, if you want to study properly at a desk, have somewhere other than your bed where you can relax, and retain enough money to enjoy life in Tokyo after paying the rent, consider a lifestyle that combines a private room with shared spaces.
Even so, your only choices are not moving farther away or packing your entire life into a small room.
Keep the places you want for your own use inside your private room, and share spacious living rooms, kitchens, and other areas that you are comfortable sharing. Changing how you live can allow you to protect your budget while retaining more space and freedom in your daily life.
First, view the private rooms and common areas at FineMaison Takadanobaba and imagine how you would spend your time there.
Compare Other Options by Location and Budget
Q. Are there any share houses in Takadanobaba costing no more than ¥100,000 per month, including the common service fee?
A. FineMaison Takadanobaba charges rent of ¥66,000–¥87,000 and a common service fee of ¥20,000. Depending on the room, the combined monthly cost may be no more than ¥100,000. Check the property details page for current vacancy rents and eligibility conditions.
Q. Can a small apartment sometimes cost less?
A. Yes. The estimated monthly cost of Studio Apartment C, including rent, the management fee, utilities, and household supplies, is ¥90,333. This is ¥4,667 less than the ¥95,000-per-month FineMaison Takadanobaba private-room example.
Q. Is a share house common service fee the same as a studio apartment management fee?
A. No. FineMaison Takadanobaba’s common service fee includes utilities, internet access, shared household supplies, cleaning of the common areas, and other services. When comparing it with a studio apartment, you must also add the living expenses required in addition to the rent and management fee.
Q. Can international students apply?
A. FineMaison Takadanobaba accepts international residents. Required documents, screening procedures, and available move-in dates must be confirmed individually. If your school start date or planned arrival date in Japan has already been determined, provide that information when making your inquiry.
About the Data and Comparison Conditions
Information checked on September 8, 2026. Average rents are based on LIFULL HOME’S “Average Rents Around Takadanobaba Station.” The five standard rental properties are the specified SUUMO listings, while information on FineMaison Takadanobaba is based on its SHARE PARADE property details, private-room listings, and publicly available information from the management company. The neighborhood description also refers to publicly available information from local schools and other sources.
The monthly utility cost of ¥13,333 is based on the 2025 average “fuel, light, and water charges” for one-person households in Japan’s Family Income and Expenditure Survey. It is a nationwide average that includes other fuels and is not an average limited to students in Takadanobaba. The ¥1,500 household-supply expense is an assumption used for comparison.
The monthly calculations include Studio Apartment D’s ¥920 guarantee fee and Apartment E’s ¥100 neighborhood association fee. Apartment D’s guarantee fee is calculated as 1% of the combined rent and management fee. Apartments B and E are listed as requiring no separate internet usage fee, and the calculations for the other studio apartments also assume that no paid home internet connection is added. Food, smartphone charges, personal items, and professional cleaning services are excluded.
The upfront-cost table shows the subtotal of one month’s rent and management or similar fees, together with the security deposit and key money or deposit. Insurance, guarantee fees, brokerage fees, lock replacement fees, contract administration fees, and other charges are separate. FineMaison Takadanobaba’s listed insurance premium covers one year. Of the deposit, ¥10,000 is applied to cleaning costs when moving out, and the return of the remaining deposit depends on the contract terms.
The 24-month table totals only recurring monthly items and excludes upfront costs, insurance, renewal or recontracting fees, annual guarantee fees, move-out costs, moving expenses, furniture, and appliances. The age of each building and walking times are based on the information displayed in the respective listings. Because availability and charges are subject to change, confirm the final amount payable in the quotation provided before signing the contract.
Compare Both Rent and Livability in Takadanobaba
View vacancies and details for FineMaison Takadanobaba →
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.
![[10 Examples] Share House Trouble Cases and Prevention Tips to Know Before Moving In](https://sharepare.jp/upload_images/contents/202607/20260716_6a5861b26b7f20engi7.png "[10 Examples] Share House Trouble Cases and Prevention Tips to Know Before Moving In")
