Foreign tourist numbers drop 25% in September

October 26, 2011Japan foreign tourists,Tourism JapanTravel & Tourist Information,All

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreign visitors to Japan in September, 2011, was 539,000. This was 24.9% lower than the number of visitors in September, 2010.

This is the 7th continuous month of decline following the March 11 Tohoku disaster. The JNTO said that the high yen and ongoing nuclear disaster has kept away wealthy visitors as well as those traveling with children and family.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Sendai's hillside houses still at risk of landslides

October 22, 2011Sendai City,LandslidesBuyer Beware!,Earthquake Information,All

The hillside residential areas in Sendai City suffered from serious landslides during the March 11 Tohoku earthquake and a recent survey by Kyoto University's Disaster Prevention Research Institute has shown that landslides are continuing in these neighborhoods.

While aftershocks and heavy rains were thought to be the main cause, the Institute said that it is unusual for landslides to continue for such a long period of time.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Tokyo apartment rent falls to lowest level in 4 years

October 21, 2011average rent tokyoReal Estate News,Rental Market,Market Information,All

According to Tokyo Kantei, the average rent for an apartment in greater Tokyo for the month of September fell 0.1% to 2578 Yen per square meter. In Tokyo's 23 wards, the average rent remained unchanged at 3,038 Yen/sqm, but is down 3.1% from September, 2010, and is currently at the lowest level seen in over 4 years. The average rent fell 0.2% in Kanagawa, 0.8% in Chiba and 2.6% in Saitama with Saitama City recording a fall of 4.2% from the month before. The aging apartment buildings in the City's Chuo and Urawa wards contributed to the decline.Read more

by Zoe Ward

[Foreclosed] 13 Apartments in Gotenyama Trust Court

October 20, 2011Foreclosed Tokyo,Mori Building,Japan Foreclosed Properties,Gotenyama Garden,Gotenyama Trust CourtForeclosed Properties,All

 

Court Evaluation: 543,200,000 Yen (7.05 million USD)

*Update: The winning bid was 548,000,888 Yen. Only 1 bid was made on the property and it was by a corporate entity.*

A group of 13 apartments have been foreclosed in Gotenyama Trust Court, near Shinagawa Station. The apartments range in size from 63.24 ~ 317.24 sqm (680 ~ 3413 sqft) and the total floor size is 1,552.83 sqm (16,708 sqft). The Court's evaluation of the value of the apartments is approximately 379,000 Yen/sqm.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Apartment prices in Tokyo down 10% in September

October 19, 2011Tokyo Land Prices,Tokyo apartment prices,Tokyo house pricesReal Estate News,Market Information,All

According to the latest data from the Real Estate Information Network for East Japan (REINS), the number of purchase contracts on houses and apartments sold on the secondary market in greater Tokyo in September fell over 3% from the previous year. The average selling price for both apartments and houses in greater Tokyo still remain lower than in 2010.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Home-builder to test new homes for radiation

October 17, 2011Real Estate News,All

Suzuki Kensetsu, a home-builder in Betsukai Village, Hokkaido announced that from October they will be testing all of their newly constructed homes for possible radiation contamination prior to delivering them to new owners.Read more

by Zoe Ward

What is the current market value of an apartment in Tokyo?

October 16, 2011Property Purchasing Guide,Real Estate News,Market Information,All

Real estate research and marketing company, Attractors Lab, have collected data from apartment sales in greater Tokyo and have made this data available for free through their new site called Sumai Surfing (www.sumai-surfin.com). Through the website, users can view the average apartment selling price when brand new and the current market price. Registered users are also able to view past sales history. Using the collected data, the current market value for almost any apartment can be estimated.Read more

by Zoe Ward