Never waste a good crisis: Where are the current opportunities in Japan’s real estate market?
We have been receiving quite a few inquiries over the past couple of months from buyers looking to pick up some bargains amidst the current turmoil. After several years of being a strong sellers' market, the real estate market in Japan has made an abrupt about-turn and has shifted into a buyers' market from around mid-March onwards.
And yes, while there are some bargain sales out there, buyers need to know where to look.
Tokyo office vacancy rate increases for first time in 9 months
In March, the office vacancy rate across Tokyo’s central five business districts increased for the first time in 9 months. The vacancy rate reported by Miki Shoji was 1.50%, up 0.01 points from the previous month, but down 0.28 points from last year.
Ueno hotel closes in order to preserve historic home
At the end of May, a historic ryokan founded around the former home of novelist Ogai Mori will shut its doors after 80 years of operations. The hotel has suffered from a spate of cancellations for both its rooms and restaurant as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak and is unable to continue to remain open.
Tokyo secondhand apartment prices see first drop in 15 months
According to REINS, 3,642 second-hand apartments were reported to have sold across greater Tokyo in March, down 2.9% from the previous month and down 11.5% from last year. The average sale price was 34,890,000 Yen, down 0.03% from last year. The average price per square meter was 540,500 Yen, up 0.2% from last year.
Tsukiji machiya demolished
The traditional machiya-style townhouse in Tsukiji we featured back in February 2019 when it was listed for sale, has, sadly, been demolished. It will be replaced with a 5-story hotel covering the adjoining vacant lots. Completion is scheduled for February 2021.
How to follow Japan's real estate market in a rapidly changing environment
Real estate price indexes tend to be published 3 months after the fact, so anyone looking for up-to-the-minute details on the impact that the coronavirus is having on Japan’s real estate market needs to consider other sources of information.
Announcing 1 month office closure
We wish to inform our clients and readers that we are going to be temporarily closing our office from April 11 through to May 6 as we join those who are voluntarily staying home to help slow the spread of this pandemic. This has been a difficult decision, but we feel it is the most responsible thing to do at this time.