Seeing the news, I couldn't help but feel a little excited: "So the East Exit is finally getting a real makeover!" A new 29-story residential and commercial high-rise has officially been approved right in front of Kita-Senju Station's East Exit. How will this historic neighborhood, with its charming retro vibes, transform? And what will it mean for your rent and daily life? As a real estate professional who has lived here for a decade, I’ll share my honest predictions alongside some wonderful new local spots I’ve recently discovered.
📋 Contents
- What’s Happening at Kita-Senju East Exit? The 29-Story Station-Linked Tower Redevelopment
- Rents and Livability: A Real Estate Pro’s Forecast
- Local Recommendations: Discovering the Charm of Senju-Higashi's Newest Spots
- How to Avoid Regrets When Choosing a Home in Kita-Senju
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s Happening at Kita-Senju East Exit? The 29-Story Station-Linked Tower Redevelopment
For a long time, we’ve heard whispers that "the East Exit is going to change," and now we finally have a concrete schedule and plan. On June 15, 2026, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government officially announced the city planning approval for the "Kita-Senju Station Area Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project." Before looking at the newly announced details, you can find the background and timeline of the decision in our post: "29-Story Mixed-Use Building at the East Exit! How the 2026 City Planning Decision Shapes the Future of this Popular Area."
The real eye-catcher is the massive 29-story, 123-meter-tall tower that will stand right in front of the East Exit. The layout is set: the first four floors will house commercial shops and childcare support centers, the middle section (floors 5–9) will host a hotel, and the upper floors (floors 10–29) will be dedicated to a new residential community of about 250 condominiums.
Personally, what I'm looking forward to most is the new pedestrian deck connecting the station ticket gates directly to the third floor of the tower. Being able to pop into the shops on a rainy day without even opening an umbrella is going to make life so much easier! The station plaza and bus terminal—which always felt a bit cramped—are also getting a clean, spacious redesign, making the whole area much easier to navigate. Construction is scheduled to start in fiscal 2028, with the entire project wrapping up in fiscal 2031.
Rents and Livability: A Real Estate Pro’s Forecast
Now, the question on everyone’s mind: "What is going to happen to our rent?"
To be completely honest, rents around the East Exit are highly likely to go up. Historically, the East Exit was known as a student-friendly district surrounding Tokyo Denki University, offering cheaper apartments compared to the bustling West Exit with its Lumine and Marui department stores. In fact, East Exit rents have typically been 10% to 15% more affordable.
But once the new station-linked tower and modern decks open, the East Exit’s reputation will change completely. We expect a surge of interest from working professionals, couples, and international residents commuting into central Tokyo, which will likely push average rent prices up by 5% to 10% over the next few years. That means paying an extra 5,000 to 10,000 yen a month—or up to 120,000 yen more a year. That’s money you could otherwise spend on weekend getaways or dining out, making it a very real budget consideration.
On the bright side, the living environment is going to get much safer. The East Exit historically had many narrow alleys with older wooden houses, raising concerns about emergency access during natural disasters. The new redevelopment will widen these roads and add public spaces, significantly improving local fire and disaster safety. With a new childcare facility on the way, the neighborhood is also set to become even more welcoming for families, blending new energy with its local community feel.
Our bilingual team will search the real-time databases and send you pre-screened properties directly on LINE.
Local Recommendations: Discovering the Charm of Senju-Higashi's Newest Spots
While the new tower is still a few years away, you can already feel the growing excitement in the backstreets of the East Exit.
A great example is "Chowa," a cozy dining pub that just opened on June 29, 2026. Tucked away in a narrow alley just a two-minute walk from the station, this hidden gem is a beautifully renovated traditional house (kominka) turned into a chic, modern dining spot. Their charcoal-grilled yakitori and the seasonal six-dish obanzai platter are incredible. It’s the kind of place where you just want to slip under the entryway curtain and relax after work.
There’s also some big news for food lovers: in Autumn 2026, the famous steamed bun shop "Rake Tokyo Buman" is opening on the B1 level of Kita-Senju Marui. Run by the grandchild of the founder of Osaka's legendary "551 Horai," this is their very first shop in East Tokyo. I can’t wait to grab some of their freshly hand-wrapped, piping-hot pork buns on the way home.
If you want to stretch your legs, head down toward the Arakawa River near Senju-Shinbashi bridge. Under the highway bridge, a new riverfront community spot called "Senju Engawa Project - Hashinoshita" has started. (You can read more about what these events are like and how to spend a relaxing weekend by the river in our guide to the Senju-Shinbashi underpass project.) What used to be a dark underpass has transformed into a breezy, open communal space where neighbors gather to chat. Senju-Higashi is full of these wonderful contrasts between old-school Tokyo charm and new community ideas, making it a lovely area just to wander around.
How to Avoid Regrets When Choosing a Home in Kita-Senju
If you are looking for an apartment in a rapidly changing hub like Kita-Senju, deciding on a place simply because it’s "close to the station" or "convenient" can be risky.
First, keep in mind the impact of the redevelopment construction. When major work starts in fiscal 2028, you can expect more heavy vehicles around the station, which will inevitably bring some noise and vibration at times. Additionally, once the high-rise tower is built, it might affect the sunlight and create wind-tunnel effects for nearby properties. When you go for a viewing, be sure to check how quiet the room is with the windows closed (double-glazed windows are a big plus) and pay attention to light and wind.
Secondly, as the area grows in popularity, apartment hunting becomes a race against time. Many properties listed on major portal sites are actually already rented out (often called "outdated listings" or ghost listings). To help you avoid this, we query the real-time industry database (REINS) directly, ensuring we only introduce apartments that are truly available. For international students and professionals, we also assist with landlord screening and help secure guarantor-free options so you can apply with peace of mind.
Lastly, higher local popularity means upfront move-in costs are also rising. For comparing rental prices and application tips across the surrounding area, our Kita-Senju and Ayase Rental Guide is a very helpful resource. That is why we recommend choosing a service like Sorai Tokyo, which offers transparent pricing with no hidden add-ons or unnecessary fees, ensuring your total initial cost is kept as low as possible. If you want to check out properties or have questions, feel free to drop us a message on LINE anytime!
Construction is set to start in fiscal 2028, with completion planned for fiscal 2031.
Rents here are still relatively affordable compared to the West Exit. However, as the station-linked pedestrian deck and surrounding roads are completed, we expect rents to rise by about 5% to 10%. If you find a place you like, it's a good idea to reach out early.
Absolutely. We specialize in helping international residents find apartments, helping you navigate landlord screenings and guarantor-free options. We keep upfront costs as low as possible by offering transparent pricing with no hidden add-on fees. Feel free to contact us in English via LINE anytime!
