Sapporo sees drop in vacant homes for first time
The number of vacant homes in Sapporo City is on the decline. In 2018, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported 125,400 vacant homes and apartments within the city, resulting in a ratio of 11.9%. This was the first year since 1993 to see a decline. What is causing it?
Apartment prices along Tokyo’s Chiyoda Line in 2019
The southern half of the Chiyoda Subway Line runs through some of the most expensive real estate in Tokyo, including Harajuku, Omotesando, Akasaka, and the Otemachi/Marunouchi business district.
According to Tokyo Kantei, the average price of a second-hand apartment alongside this train line was approximately 929,000 Yen/sqm in 2019, showing no change from last year. The average apartment size was 57.82 sqm and the average building age was 23.7 years.
Tokyo second-hand apartment sale prices increase for 9th month in a row
Total second-hand apartment sales in the Tokyo metropolitan area dropped 6.5% from last year to 1,421 units in October. This was the first year-on-year decrease seen since February.
According to REINS, the average sale price was 716,700 Yen/sqm, up 1.4% from the previous month and up 5.9% from last year. This is the 9th month in a row to see a year-on-year increase.
140m tall apartment tower planned for Shirokane
Tokyu Land Corporation has been chosen to lead the Shirokane 1 Chome North-Central Redevelopment Project. This will see a 140-meter tall, 900-unit apartment tower built on the western side of Shirokane AER City.
Awaji’s abandoned Kannon statue awaits uncertain fate
A 100-meter tall Kannon statue on Awaji Island has become a curse rather than a blessing as the city struggles to find a solution to the rapidly deteriorating building. The crumbling structure is too costly to maintain, too costly to demolish, and too costly to sell. Local residents are also feeling increasingly concerned about their towering neighbor.
Tokyo Apartment Sales in October 2019
The following is a selection of apartments that were reported to have sold in central Tokyo during the month of October 2019:
Jiro Osaragi’s former residence in Kamakura on the market
On October 9, the Kanagawa Shimbun newspaper reported that the former residence of author Jiro Osaragi (1897-1973) in Kamakura is for sale. The 100-year old traditional thatched roof house is designated by the city as an important scenic structure. The owners are hoping to find a buyer that will continue to preserve the culturally significant and historic home.