Many people who move to Meguro end up buying a bicycle within the first month. Stations are close together, shopping streets are easy to reach, and a bike makes errands much faster. If you are looking at apartments in Meguro and plan to ride, a few rules and practical details will save you trouble.
Every bicycle in Japan must have crime prevention registration (防犯登録). Bike shops do it when you buy, for a small fee. Keep the registration slip, because police sometimes stop riders to check that the bike matches its owner. If you buy a used bike from a friend, register it again in your own name.
Bikes ride on the left side of the road. Riding on the sidewalk is allowed only where signs permit it, and pedestrians always have priority. Using your phone or holding an umbrella while riding can lead to fines. Helmets are now strongly encouraged for all ages, and many residents wear one.
Meguro looks flat on a map, but many streets climb and dip between the river valleys and the higher residential areas. Ask yourself whether the ride from the station to your door has a steep slope. Some residents choose an electric-assist bike (電動自転車) for this reason, especially families with child seats.
When you view apartments in Meguro, check the building’s bike parking (駐輪場). Some buildings include it free, some charge a monthly fee, and some have no space at all. At stations, use official bike parking. Bikes left on the street near stations are often removed, and getting yours back costs money.
The path along the Meguro River is a favorite for slow evening rides, though it gets very crowded in cherry blossom season. Cafes and small shops in Nakameguro make it a good weekend stop. Our Nakameguro neighborhood walk-through shows the streets around the river in more detail.
If cycling is part of your daily plan, filter for bike parking when you compare listings. You can find apartments in Meguro by station, layout and features, or widen your search with apartments for rent across Japan.
A-Realty works with landlords who welcome foreign tenants and offers English support from viewing to contract, so you can ask about bike parking and building rules before you apply for apartments in Meguro.