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Who lives in Minato
Minato is a central ward of Tokyo that brings together the city's business, diplomatic and international life. It contains the embassy belt and the upscale residential neighbourhoods of Azabu, Moto-Azabu, Minami-Azabu and Hiroo, alongside the dining and nightlife districts of Roppongi and the redeveloped Azabudai and Toranomon areas. Because so many embassies, multinational headquarters and English-speaking services cluster here, Minato has long been the natural home of Tokyo's foreign community, and the residential pockets of Azabu and Hiroo in particular are dominated by international families. The people who choose it are diplomats, executives, finance and tech professionals and their families, drawn by the concentration of schools and services that make life in a famously complex city much simpler. The feel ranges from quiet, leafy and exclusive in the Azabu backstreets to busy and cosmopolitan around Roppongi, so families can find the atmosphere that suits them. To see how it fits into the wider city, start with our international schools in Tokyo directory.
Schools in and near Minato
Education is the single biggest reason international families concentrate in Minato, because the ward holds the densest cluster of international schools in Tokyo. In and around Azabu and Hiroo families can choose between Nishimachi International School in Moto-Azabu, which runs a dual language English and Japanese programme for the elementary and middle years, Tokyo International School in Minami-Azabu, an IB World School, and the International School of the Sacred Heart in Hiroo, a long established girls' school. The British School in Tokyo and the Early Learning Center of the American School in Japan also have provision in the ward, giving families British, American and IB pathways within a small radius. Because these schools are in high demand and serve the whole city, the most sought after year groups can have waiting lists, so register interest and apply as early as you can.
For the full list with curricula, stages and admissions detail, use the Tokyo schools directory, and to plan the early years budget see our guide to primary international school fees in Tokyo. If you are not sure which curriculum or school suits your child, the school finder quiz will shortlist options based on your priorities.
Commute and catchment
Tokyo does not operate strict residential catchments for international schools. Admission is by application rather than by address, so living in Minato does not reserve a place at a particular school, though the proximity of so many schools is the whole point of basing yourself here. One of the ward's defining advantages is that many international schools are within walking distance or a short taxi ride of the Azabu and Hiroo residential pockets, so the daily commute is unusually short for Tokyo, where families in other wards often face long journeys. Minato is served by several metro lines, including the Hibiya, Namboku and Oedo lines, which connect the ward to the rest of the city, and schools that draw pupils from further afield typically run their own bus services. Plan around the famously busy morning rush on the trains, though the short school runs mean many Minato families avoid the worst of it.
Housing and cost of living
Housing in Minato is the most expensive in Tokyo. Azabu, Hiroo and Roppongi command the highest rents in the city, with a mix of modern luxury apartments, serviced residences favoured by corporate transferees, and a smaller number of houses on the quiet backstreets. Families pay a clear premium for the proximity to the international schools, embassies and English-speaking services, and demand from the diplomatic and corporate community keeps the market tight. Beyond rent, central Tokyo's cost of living is high, and international school fees add a further substantial line to the budget. Model the full picture, housing, schooling and the day to day, with our relocation cost calculator, and read the wider Tokyo relocation guide for visas, healthcare and setting up logistics. Treat any specific rent figure you see as indicative, because the market moves, so verify current asking rents before you budget.
Family life
Daily life in Minato is convenient, safe and thoroughly international, which is why relocating families value it so highly. The Azabu and Hiroo neighbourhoods have international supermarkets stocking familiar brands, English-speaking clinics and paediatricians, and family parks such as Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park for everyday outdoor time, while the dining, shopping and culture of Roppongi, Azabudai Hills and the museums of Roppongi Hills are close at hand. The established expat community means newcomers find ready made networks through the schools and community groups, which eases the transition into a city that can feel daunting at first. Tokyo is exceptionally safe and clean, public transport is reliable, and even young children move around the city with confidence. The main consideration is cost, so families should weigh the unmatched convenience of Minato against the premium they pay to live in it.
Budget your move to Minato
Model rent, school fees and transport together before you commit to the area.
Open the relocation cost calculatorLiving in Minato: FAQ
Minato holds the densest concentration of international schools in Tokyo, clustered in the Azabu, Hiroo and Roppongi areas. They include Nishimachi International School in Moto-Azabu, Tokyo International School in Minami-Azabu, the International School of the Sacred Heart in Hiroo, the British School in Tokyo and the Early Learning Center of the American School in Japan. See the Tokyo schools directory for curricula, stages and admissions detail.
Minato is widely considered the best ward in Tokyo for expat families. Its Azabu, Hiroo and Roppongi neighbourhoods combine the highest concentration of international schools with embassies, international supermarkets, English-speaking clinics and family parks, all within short walking or taxi distance. The trade is cost, because it is also the most expensive part of the city.
One of Minato's main attractions is that many international schools are within walking distance or a short taxi ride of the family neighbourhoods, so commutes are unusually short by Tokyo standards. The ward is served by several metro lines, including the Hibiya, Namboku and Oedo lines, and schools that draw from further afield typically run their own bus services.
Minato is the most expensive ward in Tokyo, and Azabu, Hiroo and Roppongi command the highest rents in the city. Families pay a premium for proximity to the international schools, embassies and English-speaking services. Once you add international school fees, model the full picture with the relocation cost calculator before you commit.
Family life in Minato is convenient and international. The Azabu and Hiroo neighbourhoods have international supermarkets, English-speaking clinics, family parks such as Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park, and a large established expat community, alongside the dining and shopping of Roppongi and Azabudai. Tokyo is exceptionally safe and clean, which makes daily family life with children straightforward.