Den-en-Toshi Line Guide 2025: Family-Friendly Stops with Bigger Homes

The Tokyu Den-en-Toshi Line (東急田園都市線) stretches from Shibuya in central Tokyo to Chūō-Rinkan in Kanagawa, with 27 stations over 31.5 km. It's famed for linking quiet, green suburbs (following the Tama River and Setagaya's hills) with a direct ride into Shibuya. For families, this means more space and nature than inner Tokyo: typical apartment sizes are 60–80㎡ versus 40–50㎡ in Shibuya, often at lower rent per room. The line also connects with the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line (to Oshiage) and the Tobu Skytree/Nikko lines, and Tokyu has added early-morning expresses and earlier first trains to ease commutes. In sum, Den-en-Toshi offers a suburban feel (parks, riverside walks, quiet neighborhoods) with fast, reliable access downtown – a top choice for space-hungry families.

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Key Takeaways

• Space for Less Money: Get 60-80㎡ apartments on Den-en-Toshi vs 40-50㎡ in Shibuya, often at significantly lower rent per room
• Rent Savings: Family-friendly stops range ¥11.5-18.6万 for 1-2LDK vs ¥28.9-47.9万 in Shibuya
• Best Value Stations: Saginuma and Chūō-Rinkan offer the most space for budget-conscious families
• Premium Options: Futako-Tamagawa provides luxury riverside living with excellent amenities but at higher cost
• Commute Trade-off: Express trains reach Shibuya in 15-35 minutes depending on station - farther = cheaper + more space
• Family Amenities: All stops feature good schools, parks, shopping centers, and community facilities
• Investment Potential: Used condo prices have risen 30-40% over the last decade at key stations
• Transit Improvements: Tokyu continues adding early-morning express services to ease commutes

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Rent and Property Trends on the Den-en-Toshi Line (2025)

Along the Den-en-Toshi line, rents and home prices vary by distance from Shibuya. In general, family-sized rents (2LDK/3LDK) drop sharply outside the city center. For example, Shibuya Station's average rents (2025) are roughly ¥28.9 万 for a 1LDK and ¥47.9 万 for a 2LDK. By contrast, key suburban stops offer far more space for less money:

Station	Area Profile	Avg Rent (1LDK)	Avg Rent (2LDK)	Typical Size	Avg Condo Price
Futakotamagawa (二子玉川)	Upscale riverside, luxury shopping	¥18.6万	¥24.5万	~70㎡	~¥81M
Tama-Plaza (たまプラーザ)	Lush residential hub	¥15.1万	¥17.5万	~65㎡	~¥42.6M
Aobadai (青葉台)	Quiet family suburb	¥17.6万	¥18.2万	65–70㎡	~¥42.5M
Saginuma (鷺沼)	Affordable townhouse area	¥12.4万	¥17.7万	~65㎡	~¥40.7M
Nagatsuta (長津田)	End-of-line, affordable homes	¥12.4万	¥21.1万	~67㎡	~¥35.8M

Across these suburbs, renters get ~10–20㎡ more living area per yen than in central Tokyo. (For comparison, a Tokyo one-room in Shibuya is ~¥15–16万, even though it's smaller.) Purchase prices tell a similar story: central wards (e.g. Shibuya) average ~¥4,392万 for ~70㎡, while Den-en-Toshi locales range ~¥2,800–8,100万 depending on station. In short, lower rent and prices + bigger floor space make this line a great value for families (especially compared to sub-20㎡ studios downtown).

Best Family-Friendly Stops with Bigger Homes

Many stations on Den-en-Toshi combine spacious housing with family amenities. Below are highlights:

Futako-Tamagawa – Riverside Living & Upscale Shopping

Rent & Size

As above, about ¥186k for 1LDK. Futako-Tamagawa is one of Tokyo's priciest suburban stations, with average condos ~81M (70㎡), reflecting demand for luxury units. However, these come with large living spaces (some new complexes 80–100㎡).

Neighborhood & Lifestyle

Futako has a sleek riverfront park ("二子玉川公園") and sprawling Futako Rise shopping center by the station. The park (62,000㎡) has playgrounds, a Japanese garden and open lawns. The mall offers high-end shops, restaurants and cinema. Riverside bike/pedestrian paths and kids' amusement parks line the Tama River. This mix of riverfront nature + modern mall is unique.

Schools

Futako lies near notable schools. For expats, St. Mary's International School (boys' school in Setagaya) and other bilingual programs are reachable by bus/train. In addition, Tokyo public & private schools in Setagaya/Meguro wards serve the area, often with high academic reputations.

Tama-Plaza & Aobadai

Rent & Size

Tama-Plaza's rents (~¥150k for 1LDK, ¥205k for 3LDK) reflect its popularity. Aobadai is similar (¥176k for 1LDK). Many homes here are newer condos or detached houses 70–90㎡. Average used condo ~¥42M (65–70㎡).

Neighborhood & Amenities

Both stations have large shopping plazas. Tama-Plaza Terrace (directly above the station) is a multi-building complex with shops, eateries and theaters. Aobadai neighbors the park-like Aobadai Green Building complex and is close to the bigger Azamino & Center Kita shopping areas. These stations are quieter, primarily residential "bed towns," with supermarkets and family restaurants near the stations.

Schools & Families

Tama-Plaza/Aobadai are famous family enclaves. Several good public elementary and junior high schools serve the neighborhood. There are also private schools in adjacent areas of Yokohama. Parks and playgrounds are plentiful (e.g. cherry-tree-lined streets and small neighborhood parks). This area often ranks highly in surveys of preferred family suburbs in Kanagawa.

Saginuma

Rent & Size

Saginuma is more affordable: ~¥124k for 1LDK and ~¥216k for 3LDK. Many 2-3LDK apartments here range 70–80㎡, plus detached homes on larger lots. Condos average ~¥40M (65㎡).

Neighborhood

A mix of mid-rise apartments and older houses, Saginuma offers a quiet local vibe. There's a small Tokyu store and shops by the station, plus the large Tsukushino Culture Center and tennis courts a few stops away. The commute to Shibuya by express is ~15–20 min. Saginuma appeals to families who want space on a budget – rent is roughly half of Shibuya's for similar room count.

Schools/Parks

Local elementary schools here have good reputations. The area isn't known for big malls, but Komazawa Olympic Park (with sports fields and kids' play areas) is a few stops back at Komazawa-daigaku, and the Ooka River greenbelt provides jogging/walk paths nearby.

Nagatsuta & Beyond

Rent & Size

The end-section stations (Nagatsuta, Chūō-Rinkan) are cheapest: ~¥124k for 1LDK and ~¥211k for 2LDK at Nagatsuta (Chūō-Rinkan ~¥115k/1LDK, ¥160k/2LDK). You get large 3LDKs (80–100㎡) and even single-family homes for these rents. Condo prices ~¥35–40M for 70㎡.

Neighborhood

These are full-on suburbs/edge of metro. Nagatsuta has a pleasant plaza with shops and greenery (Aoba Ward Museum of Art nearby), but no express trains here. Commute to Shibuya ~30–35 min by express. Chūō-Rinkan straddles Kanagawa, with small downtown and bus lines (near Odakyu Enoshima Line) – it's often chosen by families needing a standalone house. Lifestyle here is very laid-back; it's a trade-off of 20–30 extra minutes in train for extra space and yard in many cases.

Schools, Parks, and Daily Life Along the Line

Education

Every stop along Den-en-Toshi has local public elementary/middle schools (often high-performing) and kindergartens. Several international schools are accessible by short bus/train ride (e.g. St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Catholic in Setagaya). Some private academies in Yokohama (Aobadai/Tama areas) cater to international curricula. Overall, you'll find a mix of bilingual and Japanese options, a plus for expat families.

Green Spaces

The line is rich in parks and river paths. Futakotamagawa Park (世田谷区立二子玉川公園) is a 6ha oasis with playgrounds, a Japanese garden and lawns. Komazawa Olympic Park (near Komazawa University station) has trails, sports fields and deer. At Machida end, Tsuru no Oka and Sakai parks provide large wooded areas. Even smaller stations (e.g. Saginuma, Aobadai) have neighborhood parks with playgrounds. The Tama River's riverside trail runs alongside much of the line, perfect for family walks and cycling.

Shopping & Community

Each family hub features a shopping center or station mall. Futako Rise and Tama-Plaza Terrace are full-service complexes (groceries, fashion, entertainment). Aobadai/Azamino have multiple malls. Saginuma and Nagatsuta have smaller centers with supermarkets and clinics. These make daily errands easy. Communities along Den-en-Toshi often host festivals (e.g. Futako summer festivals on the riverfront) and have active parent-teacher associations. In short, you can expect suburban conveniences (supermarkets, healthcare clinics, community centers) plus a quieter pace than central Tokyo.

Long-Term Outlook: Why Families Pick Den-en-Toshi

The Den-en-Toshi Line continues to grow in attractiveness for families and investors. Major redevelopment projects have reshaped key hubs: Futako-Tamagawa Rise (opened 2015 on a former industrial site) and continuing "grand design" around the station; plans for new mixed-use towers on old military land near Tama-Plaza; and incremental infill along the line. These efforts have kept demand high. In fact, used condo prices soared ~30–40% over the last decade at Futako and Tama-Plaza, outperforming broader Tokyo. Long-term forecasts predict further gains (e.g. Futako +39% by 2032).

Transit improvements also support families: Tokyu is gradually easing peak loads with more trains (e.g. adding two extra early-morning express services from Nagatsuta/Chūō-Rinkan into Shibuya) and promoting bus alternatives. As Tokyo housing tightens, many Japanese and expat families seek Den-en-Toshi's blend of space, schools and commutability. Lower rents mean more rooms for children or home offices – a balance central wards struggle to offer. Overall, the line is regarded as a stable, long-term choice for family living in 2025, with relatively affordable suburbs and planned growth.

Conclusion

For families relocating in Tokyo, the Den-en-Toshi Line represents excellent value and lifestyle. Stations like Futako-Tamagawa, Tama-Plaza, Aobadai and Saginuma each offer larger apartments or houses at lower cost than inner-city neighborhoods, alongside parks, good schools and convenient shopping. Even farther-out stops (Nagatsuta, Chūō-Rinkan) yield huge space for tight budgets, if one can tolerate a longer commute. In this guide we've seen that rents run roughly ¥12–18万 for 1–2LDK at family-friendly stops (vs ~¥30万+ in Shibuya), and that planned developments continue to bolster these areas.