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The End of “Cheap Tokyo”: Why the Entry Price for Luxury Has Doubled in 5 Years

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The End of “Cheap Tokyo”: A Deep Dive into the 5-Year Structural Shift of Japan’s Real Estate Market

Introduction: The Sleeping Giant Has Awoken

For the past decade, global investors have whispered about Tokyo as the world’s last great “undervalued” metropolis. While real estate prices in New York, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore skyrocketed to stratospheric levels, Tokyo remained surprisingly stable. A luxury apartment in Minato-ku could be acquired for a fraction of the cost of a comparable unit in Manhattan or Kensington.

However, new data released by Tokyo Kantei suggests that this era of price stagnation is emphatically over.

We have analyzed the “Required Annual Household Income for New Condominiums” in the Greater Tokyo Area, comparing the landscape of 2019 against 2024.

The results are not merely an update on inflation; they represent a fundamental structural shift in the Japanese property market.

In just five years, the “entry ticket” for Tokyo’s premier districts has effectively doubled. For international investors and expatriates residing in Japan, understanding this shift is no longer optional—it is critical for wealth preservation and strategic acquisition. But beyond the charts and graphs, this shift forces us to ask a deeper question: What is the true purpose of a home in post-pandemic Tokyo?

From ¥0.5M to ¥2.8M per m2: How Tokyo’s Fukutoshin Line Became an Ultra-Prime Condo Corridor

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From Wako-shi to Shibuya: How Kitasando Joined Tokyo’s Ultra-Luxury Condo Club

Tokyo Kantei has released its latest station-by-station data for used condominiums along the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, using transactions registered in its database up to 14 October 2025.

The dataset covers family-type resale units, and shows:

  1. Average asking prices per station in units of “ten-thousand yen per tsubo” (3.3 m²)

  2. Average building age

  3. Average exclusive floor area

For international readers, I translate the key prices into approximate yen per square metre (¥/m²), while keeping the original Tokyo Kantei figures in the background.

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A Rare Freehold Hospitality Asset in Japan’s Premier Ski Resort – Niseko Hirafu

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Turnkey Hospitality Investment in the Center of Niseko Hirafu

Located in the heart of Hirafu Lower Village in Kutchan Town, Hokkaido, this hotel and lodge property offers a rare opportunity to acquire a high-performing hospitality asset in one of Japan’s most globally recognized ski destinations. Combining stable income with long-term growth potential, this offering is ideal for investors seeking a foothold in Asia’s premium resort market.

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Who Can Still Afford to Buy in Tokyo? Income Thresholds Skyrocket Across the City

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FROM DREAM TO LUXURY　TOKYO HOMES NOW START AT ¥20M+/YEAR INCOME

Based on Tokyo Kantei’s July 2025 report on income requirements for new condo purchases

Introduction: The Era of Extreme Affordability Gaps

The Tokyo condominium market is undergoing a dramatic transformation. While Japan’s national wages remain relatively flat, the cost of buying a new 70m² condominium in Greater Tokyo is rising at an unprecedented rate. According to Tokyo Kantei’s July 2025 report, the number of train stations where buyers must earn over ¥10 million per year has surged. In fact, income thresholds for central locations now reflect a level of exclusivity once reserved only for the super-rich.

This is not just about real estate prices. It is about what kind of city Tokyo is becoming.

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Japan’s Land Values in 2025: Winners, Laggards, and What Global Investors Need to Know

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Tokyo Isn’t the Hottest Market Anymore — Land Prices Are Soaring Elsewhere

Introduction

On July 1, 2025, Japan’s National Tax Agency released its latest rosenka land valuation data. While often misunderstood as a purely tax-related figure, rosenka provides a critical signal for identifying momentum in the Japanese real estate market—from redevelopment corridors in Tokyo to rising secondary cities like Saitama and Chiba.

This article is based on the July 2025 Rosenka report published by Mitsubishi Estate Real Estate Services.

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Japan Gets Tough: Stricter Business Manager Visa Renewals from July 2025

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Japan Redefines Business Management — Passive Investment No Longer Counts

Introduction

From July 10, 2025, the renewal process for Japan’s Business Manager Visa has become significantly stricter. In addition to financial statements, applicants are now required to submit a detailed written report explaining their actual management and business activities during their period of stay.

This shift reflects the government’s growing concerns about abuses of the system and will have direct implications for foreign entrepreneurs and investors.

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Luxury Meets Tradition: Why This Riverside Machiya Townhouse in Kyoto Is a Unique Global Asset

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A Riverside Machiya (町家、Traditional Kyoto Townhouse) – A 400-Year Legacy, A Modern Investment

1. Introduction – Kyoto as a Global Destination

Kyoto is not only Japan’s ancient capital but also one of the world’s most celebrated cities.
It has repeatedly ranked at the very top of international travel surveys. In 2020, Condé Nast Traveler readers named it the Best Big City in the World, surpassing Tokyo. In 2024, National Geographic included Kyoto in its “Top 20 Travel Experiences,” while Architectural Digest placed it among the “Most Beautiful Cities in the World.”

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