Aoshima is Kyushu's latest real estate hotspot

The small beachside area of Aoshima, in the southern end of Miyazaki City, is experiencing what local reporters are calling a real estate bubble.

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Land prices continue to recover in 2021

Land prices are on the rise again, according to the latest quarterly LOOK Report published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). In the fourth quarter of 2021, a total of 55 of the 100 surveyed locations saw land prices increase. This is up from just 15 locations in the fourth quarter of 2020.

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Buying property in an Urbanization Control Area

If you are looking at purchasing property in the outskirts of cities, you may come across land that is in an Urbanization Control Area. This land comes with a very different set of building limitations than other classifications. Here’s why you need to pay careful attention to this difference.

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How to better understand the market price of land

Looking to buy land to build on but a little unsure if you're paying the right price? The best way to determine land prices is to take the time to look at various real estate listings and talk with your agent. With a little research, you will work out how much you can expect to pay in a certain neighborhood.

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Before buying land: take note of this notice

Ever noticed a sign like this placed on a vacant block of land? It's there for a reason, and something a buyer would want to be extremely aware of.

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Looking for land? You might need to knock down a house first

A former Geisha house in Shibuya. Sold last year for the land, with the house demolished shortly after.

If you are looking for land to build a house or other building on in Japan, particularly in a city, you may find lots are small in size while supply is limited. Of Japan’s total land size of 37,800,000 hectares, 66% is forest and 12% is farmland. Land for building purposes comprises 1,960,000 hectares or just 5% of the total - and that includes land that is already built on. The remainder is roads, rivers and waterways, and fields.

In an urban location, most of the land is already occupied, so domestic buyers will also consider lots with existing buildings that they can demolish. This is unavoidable in an area with a short supply of listings. If you limit yourself only to vacant lots, you may find very few options. 

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Osaka sees steepest drop in rosenka land values in 2021

Sanmachi Historical House Preservation District, Gifu Prefecture

On July 1, the National Tax Agency (NTA) released the rosenka land tax values for 2021. Not surprisingly, Osaka’s heavily tourist-oriented Shinsaibashisuji Street saw the biggest decline nationwide, with a 26.4% drop in 2021.

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