Buying Real Estate Archives - Yamamoto Property Advisory

Buying Real Estate

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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Central Tokyo Is Becoming a Playground for Global Capital—But Where Should Smart Buyers Look Next?

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From SUUMO

Tokyo vs Coastal Japan: Condo Prices Across Key Cities in 2025

The latest SUUMO Greater Tokyo New Condo Price Map (2025) provides a striking snapshot of average condominium prices across Tokyo’s 23 wards and the surrounding prefectures. For overseas investors and expatriates, the map is a valuable guide to understanding where capital is flowing, where affordability is collapsing, and where opportunities remain.

＊SUUMO is one of Japan’s largest real estate information platforms, operated by Recruit Holdings. It provides extensive listings for new condominiums, second-hand apartments, houses, land, and rental properties across Japan. Beyond property search, SUUMO also offers market data, price maps, and housing guides, making it a widely used tool for both homebuyers and investors.The numbers shown in its Greater Tokyo Price Map represent the average prices of new condominiums, converted to a standard 70㎡ unit. This makes it easier to compare across wards and cities.

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The New Face of Urban Homeownership: Why “Pencil Houses” Are Rising in Tokyo

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Affordable Today, Uncertain Tomorrow — The Rise of Narrow Homes in Central Tokyo

Tokyo’s housing market is undergoing a structural shift. As condominium prices in the city’s most desirable areas surge beyond the reach of average buyers, a growing segment of households is turning to ultra-compact detached homes — known as “pencil houses” — as the last affordable foothold in central Tokyo.

Condo Prices Are Racing Ahead

According to Tokyo Kantei’s July 2025 data, the average price of a 70 sq.m. used condominium in the Tokyo 23 wards reached ¥103.33 million in June, up 2.4% month-on-month and nearly 40% year-on-year. In the central 6 wards (Chiyoda, Chuo, Minato, Shinjuku, Bunkyo, and Shibuya), prices averaged ¥164.15 million, marking 29 consecutive months of increases.

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Licensed Kyoto Machiya for Sale – Prime Location near Heian Shrine & Nanzen-ji

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New Listing: Licensed Kyoto Machiya – Steps from Heian Shrine, Nanzen-ji & the Scenic Shirakawa Canal

This rare Kyoto Machiya offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of Japan’s living heritage—complete with a fully transferable Hotel Business License (旅館業許可). Perfectly situated in the heart of Higashiyama, the property is just a short stroll from the serene Shirakawa Canal, a beloved walking spot that reflects Kyoto’s timeless charm. Here, lush greenery, tranquil waterways, and centuries-old streetscapes create an atmosphere where nature and history coexist in perfect harmony.

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Is the Tokyo Market Overheating? Central 6 Wards Now Average Over ¥160 Million

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Tokyo Condo Market Soars Again in June — Driven by Core Wards and Luxury Segment

Source: Based on Tokyo Kantei Report (Released July 24, 2025)

1. Greater Tokyo Area Sees 11th Straight Month of Price Increases

According to the latest market data from Tokyo Kantei, the average asking price for a 70 sq.m. used condominium in the Greater Tokyo Area rose to JPY 58.51 million in June 2025 — up +3.0% from May and continuing the strong upward trend seen over the past year.

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The Dark Side of Japan’s Special Zone Minpaku: Osaka’s Struggle with Regulation, Displacement, and Foreign Ownershi

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As Osaka’s Deregulated Minpaku Booms, Residents Are Forced Out—Is Japan Trading Its Cities for Short-Term Gains?

Introduction

Japan’s post-COVID tourism recovery has been dramatic. With a record 36.87 million foreign visitors in 2024 and a national goal of 60 million by 2030, the demand for lodging has skyrocketed. To meet that demand, Japan introduced Special Zone Minpaku—a deregulated short-term rental scheme allowed only in government-designated areas.

But as the number of these properties explodes—particularly in Osaka, where over 90% of Special Zone Minpaku facilities are concentrated—so do the complaints, legal concerns, and social frictions. What began as a creative hospitality solution is now raising urgent questions about housing stability, governance, and even immigration abuse.

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Tokyo Property Prices, Foreign Capital, and the Policy Void: What the Experts Are Saying

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Freedom, Fairness, and the Future of Japanese Real Estate

A Deep Dive into the PIVOT Debate between Norihiko Sasaki and Tomohiro Makino

Introduction: Japan at a Tipping Point

As residential property prices in Tokyo and other major cities surge to historic highs, a fundamental question has entered public discourse: Should Japan begin to regulate foreign ownership of its real estate?

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No Residency, No License: What Japan’s New Driver Rules Mean for Foreign Home Seekers

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Driving in Japan Now Requires Proof of Residence – What It Means for Foreign Residents and Property Buyers

Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) will implement stricter rules for converting foreign driver’s licenses into Japanese licenses (commonly called gaimen kirikae) starting October 1, 2025. This move is aimed at improving road safety and ensuring that foreign drivers fully understand Japanese traffic regulations.

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Chiyoda Ward Moves to Curb Speculative Buying: A New Era for Tokyo Condos?

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No More Flipping: Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward Bans Resales for 5 Years

Introduction: The First of Its Kind

On July 18, 2025, Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward took a groundbreaking step in Japan’s real estate policy: it formally requested cooperation from the Real Estate Companies Association of Japan to curb speculative condominium transactions. This marks the first time a Japanese local government has directly asked the real estate industry to limit short-term resale activity due to housing price inflation and supply pressure.

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