Minato ward, Tokyo東京都港区

Living in Minato ward, Tokyo

We have Summarized the livability of Minato ward, Tokyo.

What kind of place is Minato ward, Tokyo?

Minato Ward: A fashionable town for adults with a variety of high-end spots

Minato Ward is located in the southeastern part of the 23 wards and has an area of approximately 20.37 square kilometers.
It is bordered by Shinjuku Ward, Chiyoda Ward, and Chuo Ward to the north, Koto Ward and Tokyo Bay to the east, Shinagawa Ward to the south, and Shibuya Ward to the west.
The population is approximately 261,000, and the number of households is approximately 149,000. (As of December 2022)
The northwest is a highland, and the southeast faces Tokyo Bay and consists of lowlands and reclaimed land.
Minato Ward is also famous for its many slopes, with more than 80 named slopes alone.
In 1947, the three wards of Shiba, Azabu, and Akasaka were merged to form Minato Ward.

The ward is roughly divided into five areas: Akasaka, Azabu, Takanawa, Shibaura Konan, and Shiba.
The Akasaka district is a bustling, glamorous area with many fashionable spots such as Aoyama and Jingu Gaien, and Akasaka lined with long-established restaurants.
The Azabu district is an area with many relatively new buildings such as high-rise buildings and complexes such as Roppongi Hills, and the National Art Center, Tokyo, but if you go towards Azabu-Juban, you will find old-fashioned shopping streets and residential areas.
The Takanawa district is an area consisting of the Shirokane area with its high-end residential area to the west and the Takanawa district with its many temples and other cultural assets to the east.
The Shibaura Konan district is an area created by reclaiming Tokyo Bay, and the famous tourist spots Odaiba and Rainbow Bridge are also located in this area. In recent years, it has also become famous as an area lined with high-rise apartment buildings.
The Shiba district is an area that has become the center of business, including Shinbashi and Toranomon. It is also famous as an area with high-rise buildings and the headquarters of major companies and television stations. Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple are also located in this area.

PR video of Minato ward, Tokyo

Minato Ward World Promotional Video

Short movie of the winning landscape from the Ward Citizens’ Landscape Selection

How is the traffic situation in Minato ward?

Minato Ward has a well-developed transportation network, with water buses and the Yurikamome line.

There are 13 train lines and 33 stations in Minato Ward.

This is an area served by multiple railways, including JR, subways, and Toei lines, and the Shinkansen also stops at Shinagawa Station, making it a convenient area to get to anywhere.

Local buses are operated by Toei Bus and Tokyu Bus. There is also the reasonably priced Chi Bus that runs within the ward. This community bus is operated by the ward as a public project, and operates eight routes. The fare is a flat rate of 100 yen for elementary school students and above.
Making use of the area’s location facing the sea, there are also several water buses that can take you to areas such as Odaiba and Sumida.

Roads that pass through Minato Ward include National Route 15, which runs from Chuo Ward through Minato Ward to Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture, and National Route 246, which runs from Chiyoda Ward through the central Kanagawa region to Numazu City in Shizuoka Prefecture.
There are eight interchanges on the expressway.

There are several public roads and expressways passing through the area, making it very convenient for traveling in any direction, just like the railways.

How are the rent and land prices in Minato ward?

Minato Ward: A popular area for apartments along Tokyo Bay

According to information from a real estate information website, the average rent in the ward is about 130,000 yen for a 1K apartment within a 10-minute walk from the station. The rent for a 2DK apartment is about 225,000 yen.
It is the most popular area in Tokyo, and the average rent is by far the highest.
If you can lower the conditions to a 15-minute walk from the station and a building that is about 20 years old, you can reduce the rent by about 50,000 yen.
The average price per tsubo of land is about 14.62 million yen per tsubo.
The average price of a new apartment is 123.37 million yen, the average area is 65.26 m2, and the average price per tsubo is 6.25 million yen per tsubo. (Collection period: 2018-2022)
As it is a very popular area, condominiums for sale are also mainly in the high price range. For a family type, you will need more than 100 million yen.

How is childcare and education in Minato ward?

Minato Ward: A city with ample support for the child-rearing generation

Minato City has 44 nurseries, 26 kindergartens, 20 elementary schools, 20 junior high schools, 18 high schools, 25 junior colleges and universities, and 7 vocational schools.
The “Children’s Medical Expense Subsidy” covers children up to 18 years old (as of March 31 after they reach 18 years old) for both outpatient and inpatient care, and fully subsidizes all medical expenses.
Child allowances are provided: 15,000 yen for children under 3 years old, 10,000 yen for the first and second children aged 3 years old or older and not yet entering elementary school, 15,000 yen for the third child and onwards, and 10,000 yen for junior high school students.

Minato ward also has a wide range of support systems of its own.
In the Minato Pre-Mother Support Project, midwives and other medical professionals interview pregnant women at the Minato Public Health Center and provide them with gift certificates (worth 10,000 yen) for taxi rides and childcare products.
The Minato Maternal and Child Health Handbook App is available, a childcare support app that can be used online on smartphones and other devices. It can schedule vaccinations, send reminders, and manage many other functions, such as the latest childcare information and infectious disease information for the ward.
The Minato Child-rearing Support Plaza Pokke is a reassuring system that provides support for child-rearing through a variety of programs, including a “Child-rearing Plaza” where families with children can gather and interact, temporary childcare for babies and children, night childcare, and overnight childcare.

Minato City has a wide range of facilities and systems to support children after school, including public facilities such as the Children’s Center and the Children’s and Junior High School Plaza, after-school clubs, and Houkago GO → and Houkago GO → Clubs.
Among these, Houkago GO → and Houkago GO → Clubs are facilities within each ward’s elementary schools, and are a great system for dual-income families where children can study, play sports, and participate in other activities.

How about shopping in Minato ward?

Minato Ward: A city with many general stores and a safe place for DIY hobbyists

Minato Ward is home to many complexes and shopping malls that take advantage of the unique characteristics of each area, making it a fun place to shop.

Akasaka Sacas, located in the Akasaka district, is a complex that houses the TBS headquarters, Akasaka ACT Theater where you can enjoy musicals and concerts, as well as several shops and restaurants.
The 1,200-square-meter Sacas Square at the entrance is a relaxing space with a lawn and wooden deck where you can play with your children or take a break.

Located in the Azabu district is “Tokyo Midtown.” Opened in 2007, it is a complex that includes The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo hotel, the Suntory Museum of Art, and 130 shopping stores.
Another recommended spot located nearby is “Roppongi Hills.”
It is a high-rise complex that includes over 200 shopping facilities, restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, and offices.

The Shiba area around Shinbashi is a business district lined with office buildings, so there were no fashionable spots, but since the opening of the Yurikamome line, the area has seen an increase in complex facilities as a gateway to Odaiba.
“Caretta Shiodome” is a commercial complex with about 60 restaurants and shops, as well as cultural facilities such as the Tokyo Advertising Museum and the Shiki Theatre Company.
The restaurant area has authentic restaurants with beautiful night views on the upper floors, as well as casual restaurants such as izakayas and cafes. There is also an observation space on the upper floors, which is a recommended spot where you can get a panoramic view of Tokyo Bay for free.

In the Shibaura Konan area, there are several facilities along the seafront that can be reached by taking the Yurikamome line.
Aqua City Odaiba, famous for its symbol of the Statue of Liberty, is a large shopping complex adjacent to Odaiba Seaside Park. It is a popular spot that is bustling with tourists every day, with fashion and restaurants as well as a large movie theater.
Decks Tokyo Beach is a shopping center with a ship motif. With an open terrace that makes you feel like you are on a ship and decorations reminiscent of ships everywhere, you can enjoy dining and shopping while feeling like you are cruising Tokyo Bay on a luxury liner.
Theme park zones such as Tokyo Joypolis and Madame Tussauds Tokyo are also located within the facility, making it a spot you can enjoy all day long.

How about jobs and recruitment in Minato ward?

Minato Ward: A city where you can find many job openings from large corporations to start-ups

The average annual salary in Minato Ward is 11.84 million yen. This is the highest annual salary in the country.
The Shinbashi and Toranomon areas in Minato Ward are business districts and the heart of Japan’s economy and industry.
With over 400 listed companies, including major TV stations, major airlines, and major cosmetics manufacturers, the area is home to many high-paying jobs depending on your abilities.
As the area is also home to many complexes and shopping malls, part-time work in the service industry and other areas is also in high demand.

Minato ward, Tokyo’s unique subsidy/subsidy system

Minato ward, Tokyo’s unique housing assistance and subsidy system

Minato ward, Tokyo’s unique childcare support system

Minato ward, Tokyo’s unique system for further education and tuition assistance/subsidies