Finding a rental in Chitose | Why rents are rising, choosing a district, and checking airport noise and winter conditions
The first thing people looking for a place in Chitose notice is that “there are fewer vacancies than I expected” and “rents are going up.” Since semiconductor-related businesses located here, more people have come from outside the city to work, and demand for rentals has continued to exceed supply. This article explains how to choose a district, how to search by condition, and what to check that is specific to Chitose.
Why rentals in Chitose move so fast
In the 2026 official land price survey, all 19 residential survey points in Chitose were at least 1.5 times higher than five years earlier. Sakaemachi 2-chome, close to the station, is ¥112,000 per m², 2.55 times higher than five years ago. When land prices rise, rents for new buildings rise, and rents for existing properties are pulled up too.
In addition, a considerable number of people are thought to be staying in Chitose without moving their resident registration here. They do not appear in population statistics, but they are real housing demand. As a result, the rental market looks tighter than the official population growth suggests.
As a result, good properties are taken shortly after they are advertised. If your move-in date is fixed, we recommend starting 1 to 2 months ahead.
How to choose a district
| District | Typical neighborhoods | Features | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Around the station | Chiyodacho, Sakaemachi, Saiwaicho, Nishikicho, Shinonomecho | Rents are the highest in the city. Plenty of shops and restaurants | People who live without a car, JR commuters |
| North | Hokuto, Hokuyo, Yubu, Osatsu Ekimae, Toko | Many newer rentals. Close to schools and shopping facilities | Families, JR commuters toward Sapporo |
| West and hills | Tomioka, Shinano, Sumiyoshi, Midorimachi, Seiryu | Established residential area. Quiet environment | People who put a quiet environment first and have a car |
| South and suburbs | Midoridai, Sakuragi, Asahigaoka, Katsuragi, Koyodai, Hakuyo | Rents are lower. You will need a car | People focused on budget or wanting more space |
| Around the airport | Bibi, Heiwa, Shikannai | Close to airport jobs. Limited number of properties | People working at the airport or the industrial park |
From Chitose Station to Sapporo takes about 30 minutes by JR rapid train. Some people live in Chitose and work in Sapporo. On the other hand, some people work at Chitose’s industrial park and live in Eniwa or Tomakomai. A realistic way to choose is to weigh commuting time against rent.
Searching by layout
1LDK and 1K (single people and transferred workers)
This is the layout in highest demand in Chitose. Companies sometimes reserve many units at once as leased company housing, so at some times few units are advertised to individuals. They are common around the station and in the north, and the newer they are, the faster they are taken.
2LDK
This layout is common for couples and for single people who want more space. There is supply in Hokuto, Yubu and Midoridai.
3LDK and family layouts
People choose by school district and parking for two cars. Newer properties are concentrated in the north (Hokuto, Yubu, Hokuyo).
Maisonettes and rented houses (detached houses for rent)
Some people search for “Chitose rental detached house” or “Chitose rented house.” Reasons include a garden, pets, and not having to worry about noise. There are few, and they are mainly older houses in the south and suburbs. Many people also look for single-story rented houses, which are taken quickly.
What to check in Chitose
Aircraft noise
There is noise under the takeoff and landing routes of New Chitose Airport and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Chitose Air Base. Self-Defense Force aircraft are louder than civilian aircraft and fly at different times. Schedule your viewing on a weekday during the day, and also check with the windows open. Some buildings have had soundproofing work.
Winter conditions
- Snow clearing: Whether the management company or the tenants clear snow from the parking area and paths
- Heating: Kerosene, gas or electric. Kerosene usually costs ¥20,000 to ¥40,000 a month during the four winter months
- Water draining: Protecting pipes from freezing. You need it when you leave the home empty for a long time
- Where snow goes: If the grounds are small, one parking space may become unusable in winter
Parking
Chitose is also a car-based city. One space per unit is standard, but some properties have no space for a second car. Please check before applying.
Contract terms
When demand is strong, terms such as key money and renewal fees favor landlords. If you check the total move-in costs first (security deposit, key money, advance rent, brokerage fee, fire insurance, guarantee company fee, lock change), it is easier to compare properties.
Rent or buy?
In Chitose, rents are rising, but land prices are rising too. If you expect to live here for a long time and are unlikely to move within a few years, it is worth calculating the option of buying. However, land prices have risen 1.5 to 2.5 times in the last few years, so if you use past market prices as your benchmark, you may make the wrong decision. Calculate with current prices.
Banana House has its head office in Honkocho, Tomakomai, and also handles sales brokerage in the Chitose and Eniwa area. We also accept consultations such as “I was planning to rent, but I want to know how much it would cost to buy.”
Related articles: Buying land in Chitose / Land prices in Chitose / Real estate information for Chitose
This page was machine-translated. The Japanese original prevails.
Frequently asked questions
Why are rents in Chitose rising?
Construction and operation of semiconductor-related facilities have brought more workers from outside the city, and housing demand has grown, including people who stay without moving their resident registration. Supply has not kept up, so vacancies continue to fill quickly. In the 2026 official land prices, residential land also rose by an average of +6.77%, and this is reflected in rents for new buildings.
Will airport noise bother me if I live near the airport?
In districts on the extended lines of the runways, there is aircraft noise. Self-Defense Force aircraft are louder than civilian aircraft, so if you are concerned, schedule your viewing on a weekday during the day. Some buildings have had soundproofing work.
Are there properties that allow pets?
Yes. However, when demand is strong, the choices are limited. Check the conditions (type, number and weight of pets) and whether the security deposit is increased. If you have several pets, a rented house is easier to find.
Which has cheaper rent, Chitose or Eniwa?
Some properties in Eniwa are cheaper. However, if you work at Chitose's industrial park or the airport, many people choose to live in Chitose because of winter commuting times. You can also search both cities side by side.
Rental inquiries
Tell us the district, layout, budget and move-in date. We also look for homes with special conditions, such as pets allowed.
Banana House Inc., 1-1-1 Honkocho, Tomakomai. We never use pushy sales. Please write in English or Japanese.
Sources and data
- Data retrieved: 2026-10-05. All prices are official public data and do not include our own estimates.
Yuki Nakazawa (President, Banana House Inc.) reviewed the Japanese original of this article. As a licensed real estate broker, we follow the Japanese rules for real estate advertising.