The 3A Areas in Central Tokyo – The Allure of Azabu, Akasaka, and Aoyama

Poste date: Sunday, August 14, 2022

Minato-ku lies at the center of Tokyo and its allure attracts many big domestic and foreign companies looking to establish their offices there and business people with high incomes looking for a place to live. Within this ward are the areas of “Azabu”, “Aoyama”, and “Akasaka”. These three locations are widely known as the “3A Areas” and are specially branded as high-end areas with super luxury apartments, and in recent years, the attention of foreign investors. Here is an introduction to the specialties of each area along with reasons why the 3A’s area is so popular.

Azabu Area 

 

Azabu Area is an area with many hills stretching from the area around Azabu-juban Station to Hiroo Station. Home to embassies from various countries, this old upper class residential area still maintains its prestige. With a wealthy expat population Azabu has a variety of international schools and high-grade supermarkets with imported goods further bolstering its international atmosphere. Along the ever busy shopping street in front of Azabu-juban Station you can enjoy the friendly atmosphere of its traditional commercial and working-class neighborhoods.

For details: Azabujuban/Motoazabu Area, Hiroo area

Station, Line:
Azabu-juban Station (Namboku Line and Toei-Oedo Line)
Hiroo Station (Hibiya Line)
Roppongi Station (Namboku Line and Toei-Oedo Line)

The market price of pre-owned apartment (per 3.3m2) as of the year 2021

 Azabujuban  JPY5,810,000
 Hiroo  JPY5,380,000
 Roppongi  JPY5,300,000

 

Aoyama Area 

 

Aoyama is a refined area lined with the world’s most well-known brand shops and high-class restaurants. There area along Omotesando Street in particular attracts crowds looking to stay at the forefront of fashion trends. A block away from the busy streets of Omotesando is a quiet low-rise residential townscape, a great dwelling environment with its close proximity to the lush greenery of Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu Shrine.

For details: Aoyama Area, Omotesando/Harajuku Area

Station, Line:
Aoyama-itchome Station (Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, and Toei-Oedo Line)
Gaiemmae Station (Ginza Line)
Omotesando Station (Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, and Chiyoda Line)

The market price of pre-owned apartment  (per 3.3m2) as of the year 2021

 Aoyama-Itchome  JPY6,590,000
 Gaienmae  JPY5,920,000
 Omotesando  JPY5,340,000

 

Akasaka Area 

 

The Akasaka area lies close to Nagatacho, home to the National Diet Building and other government facilities, and is an active business area with an international atmosphere due to the United States and other embassies in the neighborhood. The area has had a recent rise in popularity among those wanting to live close to work. This is due to having many tower apartments and large-scale commercial facilities in the neighborhood such as Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, and Akasaka Sacas.

For details: Akasaka Area, Roppongi Area

Station, Line:
Akasaka Station (Chiyoda Line)
Akasaka-mitsuke Station (Marunouchi Line, Ginza Line)
Aoyama-itchome Station (Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, and Toei-Oedo Line)
Nogizaka Station (Chiyoda Line)
Roppongi Station (Namboku Line and Toei-Oedo Line)

The market price of pre-owned apartment  (per 3.3m2) as of the year 2021

 Akasaka  JPY5,670,000
 Nogizaka  JPY4,250,000
 Roppongi  JPY5,300,000

 

Allure of the 3A-areas

Each located within Central Tokyo and with their own special features, are luxurious residential neighborhoods that satisfy all conditions one could want in a residential area. Here are some of the features that add to the allure of the 3A areas and brand them as high class residential areas within Central Tokyo.

Convenience for transportation

Each of the 3A’s are in close proximity to the major business areas of Tokyo and with easy access by car or taxi. Multiple trains lines cross and meet at nearby stations making for easy access to all of Tokyo. These areas are best suited to affluent people and executives working in Central Tokyo wanting a home nearby.

Stable asset value

In the past few years the land price in Central Tokyo has been experiencing a stable upward trend. It has been observed that the lease demand due to population growth may be high while the risk of decreasing asset value may be low in the long term in Central Tokyo. This in turn is attracting many companies, commercial facilities, and educational facilities as well as further development of the transportation network. The address names of Azabu, Aoyama, and Akasaka have value to those seeking status and are well-known among foreign investors.

Historically proven as good locations

Due to the areas’ hilly locations with the highest level of ground stability and safety agaiAs the areas are located in an area with many hills, they have the advantage of having the highest level of ground stability as well protection from earthquakes and floods. The value of the land in these areas has been highly assessed for a long time. With many spacious pieces of land and broad streets in throughout the areas, Daimyo’s mansions, Shinto shrines, and Buddhist temples were built here throughout the Edo era. Today many of these properties are succeeding as modern and stately, high-class residential towns. 

Many high-grade apartments

As the area is known for its affluent residents, many major construction companies choose to build new luxury apartments here. These apartments include a full range of high-grade facilities and services such as; a fitness gym, swimming pool, security system, and concierge service.

Residential environment blessed with lush greenery

Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park, Akasaka Gyoen, Hikawa Shrine, Meijijingu Gaien, and Yoyogi Park are located within the 3A’s areas’ neighborhood. In this environment that you can enjoy nature and lush greenery while in Central Tokyo.

Good educational environment for children

Within the area are many well-known private and public schools with good reputations for students gaining entrance into junior high and high schools as well as various international schools. The quality and variety of available school options attracts families that are devoted to the education of their children. The areas lie along the school bus routes for the international schools allowing children to get to school safely. There are also many parks, facilities, and libraries for children within the areas.

Epicenter of fashion and culture

There are art museums, movie theaters, art galleries, entertainment facilities, hotels and restaurants within the areas. Without having to go too far from home, you can enjoy everyday life filled with cultural inspiration in Tokyo’s leading areas for fashion and culture.

Popular residential areas for expats

Many luxury residences catering to foreign executives, such as Homat branded apartments, were built after WWII in the 3A areas. This in turn attracted many international schools, supermarkets with imported groceries, and other facilities convenient for foreign residents to be built here. The are also embassies from various countries scattered throughout the areas, providing well-maintained public peace.

  • The Quality of Homat Series Apartments in Tokyo

    Homat apartments are one of the most famous apartments in Tokyo that are designed specifically for expats. Along with an explanation of Homat brand's apartments we have made a comprehensive list of all the Homat apartments located in central Tokyo and its suburbs.
  • Agent commission for real estate transactions in Japan

    In Japan, agency fees (commissions) are often paid to real estate agencies when buying, selling or renting real estate. We will explain what the agency fee is an expense for, how the amount is decided.
  • My Tenant Died In My Property - When Tenants Become Sick or Die

    While Japanese tenants, from a landlord's perspective, are normally extremely docile and headache free there is one issue that is more common due to the country's status as the world's fastest aging society and that is the likelihood of tenants becoming severely ill or passing away during their tenancy. Find out what happens in Japan when a tenant passes away in your property in this article by Ziv Nakajima-Magen of Nippon Tradings International.
  • Putting Holes in Rented Apartment Walls in Japan

    You may be wondering if it is allowed to drill holes in the walls of rented properties in Japan, and if so, what size holes are permitted. You may or may not be responsible for the cost of restoration of the property depending on the size of the hole. Find out how to decorate your apartment's walls, what precautions you need to take before putting a hole, and what happens if you drill or make a large hole in the walls.
  • What to do if I can't find a tenant?

    Investment properties are, generally, only as good as the rental income they generate. What should you do if you can't find a tenant for your property? Here are some of the reasons why you can't find a tenant in Japan and what you can do to changed that in this article by Ziv Nakajima-Magen of Nippon Tradings International.
  • Azabudai Hills – Toranomon Azabudai Redevelopment Project

    Azabudai Hills is scheduled for completion in autumn this year. A total of seven buildings with a total floor area of approximately 820,000 sqm are planned to be constructed in the 8.1 ha target area, including the 330 m high Mori JP Tower. A British School, luxury residences, a food market and various other facilities will be attracted to the area.
Exterior of La Vogue Minamiaoyama
Sale Property tag

This condominium apartment is located adjacent to Kotto-dori Street. It is an 11-min walk from Omotesando Station and within walking distance of Hiroo Station and Shibuya Station. There are many convenience stores, supermarkets, fashionable restaurants and bars along Kotto-dori Street, as well as Nezu Museum and Blue Note Tokyo are also close by, making the location an attractive in terms of convenience of living and various cultural encounters. It features a white and grey toned stylish appearance and the glass-walled modern design of the entrance. It offers mostly the compact sized units from 1R to 2LDK desirable for singles to small families. The units are arranged in a white-toned modern interior design together with a line of functional equipment such as floor heating, a water purifier, and a bathroom with auto-reheating function. Having a pet animal is negotiable depending on the unit.

JPY 69,800,000 - 87,800,000

Exterior of Makes Design Minami-Aoyama
Sale Property tag

JPY 39,000,000 - 41,800,000

Exterior of Apis Jingu-gaien
Sale Property tag

JPY 109,800,000