Tokyo - Post Report Question and Answers
What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Since I was with the U.S.G, we lived on the U.S. Embassy Housing Compound. If you read nothing else, know this: the U.S. Embassy housing compound is all about location. Nestled in one of Tokyo’s most exclusive neighborhoods, it offers easy walking access to the Embassy, supermarkets, restaurants, and public transit. From a geographic standpoint, it’s hard to beat. That said, the facilities themselves show their age. Built in the early 1980s, the compound includes three high-rise towers and two rows of townhouses. Many of the apartment layouts are outdated and, frankly, puzzling. All units involve steep stairs, and in typical two-bedroom, two-bath apartments, which is common for singles and childless couples. The bathrooms are located on a different floor than the kitchen and living room. This can be particularly frustrating, as there is no restroom on the main living level, requiring frequent stair use for basic needs. Climate control is another recurring complaint. Heating and cooling are centrally managed for the entire building and change seasonally. You you can only have AC for certain months of the year, and heat for the rest of the year. With increasingly erratic weather patterns, there are often 6–10 weeks a year when the interior temperature is significantly mismatched with the outside climate. It's too hot in spring and early fall, and too cold in transitional weeks. Mold issues have been reported in various units, and while maintenance is responsive, it’s an ongoing concern in a humid city like Tokyo. While there is some off-compound housing, which is typically for non-DOS agencies or certain senior staff (spacious, modern and still conveniently located), the majority of personnel will be assigned to the compound. The on-site amenities (pool, gym, store, preschool, tennis court) are a definite plus, and families seem to appreciate the convenience and built-in community. However, for couples without children, the environment can feel restrictive or even impersonal—akin to upscale institutional housing. Bottom line: If you're coming to Tokyo with high expectations for your housing, you may be disappointed. The compound is safe, centrally located, and offers a functional lifestyle. However, the trade-offs in comfort, layout, and temperature control are real. For those with flexibility (particularly non-USG personnel), Tokyo offers a wide range of high-quality housing options, though space comes at a premium. That said, many find Tokyo real estate more reasonably priced than comparable units in cities like New York or San Francisco. - May 2025
Townhomes and apartments. Dated for the most part but they function fine. Commute is an easy 10 minute walk. - Jan 2024
Housing in Yokohama was great: a house on the Bluff, close to YIS and easy walking distance to Motomachi. In Tokyo, we lived in a townhouse on the compound (Mitsui side). Compound housing is much larger than typical Japanese housing. The location is great: right in the heart of the city with easy access to everything (either by train, bike or walking). The housing is not modern at all, but it's fine. They were doing updates when we were there and some of those updates happened right after we left. - Nov 2020
Weirdly dark and small apartments , old and run down with weird layouts , lots of unconnected rooms and not an open family friendly living environment . Some apartments are being renovated . There are also townhouses with their own quirks. Best appointed units are off compound. But those are usually for other agencies or lucky people. - Mar 2019
The housing compound is a ten minute walk from the Embassy. It's gated with large towers and two rows of of town houses. There is a pool, gym, preschool, store, field, gazebo, and playground. The apartments vary in size and layout. Not all are created equal and people get housing envy. Most have nice elements and some not nice (like dark, tiny kitchens, bedrooms separated etc). Some get an extra bedroom while many do not. The compound is full so some people live off compound in swanky corporate apartments. Foreign affairs agencies generally go on compound first though. - Jun 2018
We live in a 4th floor apartment in a smallish building (about 20 units) within a mile of the US Embassy. It is 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, with a generous kitchen and lots of closets. This is not typical, from what I can tell; storage tends to be at a premium in most homes. We are less than a 10 minutes' walk (in 4 different directions) from 4 different subway lines. - Mar 2018
Compound - easy 10 min walk to US embassy. Small by US standards but large for Japan. The units are shabby, old and run down. If you are lucky to live off the compound, the house quality is much better.
BBQ grills of any kind are banned -this makes compound life really frustrating. There are a few "first come first serve" grills on the grounds - much like living at Oakwood Falls Church - you have to schlep your stuff downstairs and outside. - Mar 2017
Most embassy staff are housed at a gated compound with security. There are three high-rise apartment towers and two town-home complexes. This is large by Japanese standards. About 10-12 minute walk from the Embassy. - Feb 2014
U.S. Embassy employees and their families live on the compound located blocks from the embassy. The spaces consist of apartments and town homes that are fairly spacious relative to other homes in Tokyo, although may be smaller than what you've had in other posts. We've got an apartment and we're very comfortable. We love our bright sunny apartment. - Apr 2013
U.S. Embassy people live in a compound with gym, pool, playground, daycare, and a convenience store. - Jan 2011
Embassy folks live on the compound, about a ten-minute walk from the Embassy. There are several high rises with apartments as well as townhouses. Depending on your rank and family size, your place will be chosen for you by the housing board. - Oct 2008
There is a housing compound for embassy families about a 10 minute walk from the Embassy that is very well-equipped with a playground, pool, gym, and large field. Housing is very spacious by Tokyo standards, most are two-story apartments in one of 3 towers, or 3 -story townhouses. I am not sure about non-embassy housing although most corporate housing appears to be quite nice (local housing tends to be very small). - Jan 2008
