90+ year old home in Yokohama being restored
The new owner of a historic home in Yokohama is carrying out a full restoration. The Yamate 133 Ban-Kan residence was built sometime around 1930 and initially occupied by the Rising Sun Oil Corporation (a predecessor of Shell).
Mita Garden Hills selected as name of new luxury project in central Tokyo
Mita Garden Hills is now the official name of the large-scale luxury condominium project being developed by Mitsui Fudosan Residential and Mitsubishi Estate Residence in Minato's Mita neighborhood. This is the second ‘Garden Hills’ since Hiroo Garden Hills was developed in the 1980s.
Parco department store to expand into residential real estate
The Parco chain of department stores is expanding into residential real estate development, with three projects already underway.
Takanawa Gateway City plans announced
On April 21, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) announced the construction plans for the area around the recently opened Takanawa Gateway Station. A total of four high-rises and one low-rise building will be completed by 2024 ~ 2025.
Japan's tallest tower tops out in Toranomon
The 64-story skyscraper in the Toranomon-Azabudai Project topped out at 330 meters on April 21. This is now the tallest building in Japan, exceeding Osaka’s 300-meter tall Abeno Harukas building.
Apartment asking price in Tokyo climbs for 21st month
According to Tokyo Kantei, the average asking price of a 70 sqm (753 sq.ft) second-hand apartment in Tokyo’s 23 wards climbed for the 21st month in a row to 67,840,000 Yen as of March 2022. This is a 1.2% increase from February and a 10.5% increase from last year.
A brief background of land ownership in Tokyo
Tokyo has origins of inhabitation dating back to 3000 BC. In fact, the Yoyogi-Hachiman Shrine just west of Yoyogi Park in Shibuya has traces of a historic settlement from the middle Jomon period (2500~1500 BC).
By 1800, this was the largest city in the world with a population of over 1 million. The city’s growth and frequent rebuilding over the years, especially during the 20th century, helps to explain why Tokyo is the way it is and how it differs from other international metropolises.