Roppongi Overview
Roppongi and the surrounding Azabu neighborhoods form the epicenter of Tokyo's international community. Located in Minato-ku, this area is home to dozens of embassies, international schools, and luxury residential towers that cater to a cosmopolitan population. Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown — two of Japan's most prestigious mixed-use developments — anchor the area's identity as a world-class live-work-play destination. For investors, Roppongi offers access to one of Tokyo's most premium and internationally oriented rental markets.
Location & Access
- Prefecture: Tokyo
- Ward: Minato-ku (港区)
- Key Stations: Roppongi, Azabu-juban, Roppongi-itchome, Hiroo
- Character: Upscale international district with embassy presence, luxury towers, and cosmopolitan lifestyle
Roppongi Station connects the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and Toei Oedo Line, while Roppongi-itchome serves the Namboku Line. The area is also well-connected by bus and within easy taxi distance of Tokyo Station and Haneda Airport.
Why Invest in Roppongi?
Key Investment Attractions
- Expatriate Rental Demand: The concentration of embassies, international companies, and foreign financial institutions creates consistent demand for premium rental properties. Corporate housing budgets for expatriates support above-market rents.
- Premium Rental Rates: Average rents in the Roppongi/Azabu area are 30–50% higher than Tokyo's overall average, with furnished apartments commanding even greater premiums.
- Trophy Asset Value: Properties in developments like Roppongi Hills Residence, The Roppongi Tokyo, and Motoazabu Hills hold exceptional long-term value and serve as store-of-wealth assets for high-net-worth individuals.
Investor Profile
Roppongi attracts premium-focused investors targeting high-net-worth and expatriate tenants. The typical investor is looking for a prestige asset with strong rental income from corporate tenants, lower vacancy risk, and long-term capital preservation. This is not a yield-maximization play — it's a quality-of-asset strategy.
Market Data & Price Trends
Current Market Snapshot (2025)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Price/m² (Condo) | ¥1,820,000 |
| 3-Year Price Change | +20% |
| Total Transactions (2024) | 280+ |
| Market Activity | Medium-High |
Price Trend Analysis
Roppongi's property market is characterized by premium pricing and relatively lower transaction volume compared to areas like Shinjuku or Shibuya. The market moves on fewer, larger transactions — reflecting the area's concentration of high-value properties.
Over the past five years, prices have steadily climbed as international demand recovered post-pandemic and the weaker yen made Tokyo properties more attractive to foreign buyers. The Azabu sub-areas (Moto-Azabu, Minami-Azabu, Nishi-Azabu) have seen particularly strong appreciation, with premium tower units regularly trading above ¥2.0M/m².
Motoazabu and Roppongi-itchome have emerged as the quieter, more residential counterparts to central Roppongi, attracting families and professionals who value proximity to international amenities without the nightlife-district atmosphere.
💡 View detailed price trends and transaction data on our Roppongi / Azabu analysis page
Property Types in Roppongi
Condominiums (マンション)
The dominant property type for investment. The market segments into two tiers: ultra-premium branded residences (Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, etc.) priced at ¥2.0–3.5M/m², and standard condominiums in the surrounding blocks priced at ¥1.2–1.8M/m². The branded segment trades on prestige and services (concierge, gym, security), while standard condos offer better yield-to-price ratios.
Detached Houses (一戸建て)
Luxury detached properties in Moto-Azabu and Minami-Azabu represent some of Tokyo's most expensive residential real estate. These properties (¥300M–¥1B+) are typically purchased by ultra-high-net-worth individuals or corporate entities and are not standard investment targets.
Recent Transaction Examples
Representative transactions from the Roppongi/Azabu area:
| Period | Price | Size | Price/m² | Nearest Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | ¥125,000,000 | 72 m² | ¥1,736,111 | Roppongi-itchome |
| Q2 2025 | ¥88,000,000 | 55 m² | ¥1,600,000 | Azabu-juban |
| Q1 2025 | ¥210,000,000 | 105 m² | ¥2,000,000 | Roppongi |
📊 Access full transaction history with our Roppongi / Azabu market report
Investment Considerations
Pros
- Strong expatriate demand provides reliable, high-paying tenants with corporate backing
- Premium properties retain value exceptionally well through market cycles
- International character insulates against domestic-only demand fluctuations
- Proximity to Tokyo Tower, parks, and cultural facilities enhances lifestyle appeal
Cons
- Very high entry prices — minimum viable investment is significantly higher than other Tokyo areas
- Yields are compressed (2.5–3.5%) due to premium pricing
- Nightlife proximity in some micro-locations can be a negative for family-oriented tenants
Risk Factors
Roppongi's investment thesis is closely tied to the expatriate population. Changes in corporate relocation policies, international school capacity, or Japan's visa regulations could impact demand. Additionally, some older properties near the Roppongi Crossing entertainment area face perception challenges with premium tenants. Careful micro-location selection is essential — properties on the Azabu side generally outperform those closer to entertainment venues.
Nearby Areas to Consider
- Minato-ku (General): The broader Minato ward including Shinbashi, Tamachi, and the waterfront areas — offering lower entry prices with strong infrastructure
- Shibuya: Adjacent ward with tech-driven growth and younger demographic appeal
- Ginza / Nihonbashi: Commercial prestige area with growing residential conversion
Getting Started
Ready to explore investment opportunities in Roppongi?
- Analyze the market — View price trends and transaction history
- Compare properties — Use our data to evaluate deals against area benchmarks
- Make informed decisions — Access official government transaction records from MLIT