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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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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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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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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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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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Illegal Minpaku in Tokyo: A Silent Threat to Communities and Real Estate Value

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The Hidden Threat of Illegal Short-Term Rentals in Tokyo: A Growing Risk to Communities and Investors
Based on reporting by The Sankei Shimbun (June 24, 2025)

Tokyo is facing a serious and growing problem: illegal short-term rentals operating under the radar of authorities. According to a June 24 article by The Sankei Shimbun, violations of Japan’s lodging laws are rampant in the capital, with properties being used as “minpaku” (private lodgings) without proper registration, or exceeding the legal 180-day cap for annual use.

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