Go Beyond Towers and Yields – Invest in a Story That Lasts.
Global investors who look at Japan often focus on the same things: central Tokyo towers, branded residences, and mainstream hotel flags in the obvious locations.
Tag Archive for real estate investing
From “Greed” to “Scarcity”—and a Quiet Shift from Towers to Turnkey House
It is not greed. It is geometry—of scarce land, tighter codes, and sticky demand… with a growing taste for turnkey urban houses.
This brief draws in part on recent reporting by Nikkei on Tokyo condominium dynamics and the rise of high-end “turnkey” detached houses, alongside public datasets (Tokyo Kantei, MIC Housing & Land Survey, MLIT) and developer disclosures.
A Rare Freehold Hospitality Asset in Japan’s Premier Ski Resort – Niseko Hirafu
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.
Who Can Still Afford to Buy in Tokyo? Income Thresholds Skyrocket Across the City
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.
Central Tokyo Is Becoming a Playground for Global Capital—But Where Should Smart Buyers Look Next?
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.
The New Face of Urban Homeownership: Why “Pencil Houses” Are Rising in Tokyo
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.
Licensed Kyoto Machiya for Sale – Prime Location near Heian Shrine & Nanzen-ji
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.
Trash, Noise, and Chaos: Why Neyagawa Said No to Special Zone Minpaku
Is This the End for Minpaku? Neyagawa City Says “No More” to Special Zone Short-Term Rentals
Source: Sankei Shimbun, August 12, 2025
On August 12, Neyagawa City in Osaka Prefecture made a decisive move: it will withdraw from Japan’s “Special Zone Minpaku” program. This scheme, designed to boost tourism by allowing private homes and condos to operate as short-term rentals under relaxed rules, is now facing growing backlash.
Is the Tokyo Market Overheating? Central 6 Wards Now Average Over ¥160 Million
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.
The Dark Side of Japan’s Special Zone Minpaku: Osaka’s Struggle with Regulation, Displacement, and Foreign Ownershi
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.