Residential yields and vacancy rates in Minato-ku - June 2013

According to listing site Homes, the average yield on an apartment in Minato-ku as of June 2013 was 7.22%. The average yield across Tokyo was 8.3%. The vacancy rate was 9.9% in Minato-ku and 11.0% across Tokyo.Read more

by Zoe Ward

A forecast of Tokyo real estate prices (2013 ~ 2020)

Wondering where Tokyo apartment prices are heading in the next 7 years?

The Japan Real Estate Institute has published their forecast of real estate prices and rental values in Tokyo's 23 wards from 2013 to 2020.Read more

by Zoe Ward

April rental data - Tokyo Kantei

Tokyo Kantei announced the latest data on rental prices for condominium apartments across Japan. In greater Tokyo, the average monthly rent was 2527 Yen/sqm, down 0.6% from last month, but up 0.9% from April of 2012.

In Tokyo, the average rent did not change from the previous month but was up 1.6% from last year.

In the Kinki Region (Osaka, Hyogo Prefecture) rents are up by 5.8% from April 2012. In Osaka, the average rent of 1898 Yen/sqm in April saw little change from the month before but is 6.3% higher than last year. Rents in Kobe City are up by a staggering 9.5% from last year.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Village Vanguard launches real estate site

Kitsch store and burger joint Village Vanguard has launched a real estate portal to feature the quirky and offbeat apartments that you might not normally see in the window of a typical agency.

Visitors to the site (http://vv-realestate.com) can search for rental apartments, homes, shops, carparks or offices and can narrow down their search with special keywords including:

  • Retro / vintage style
  • Industrial style
  • Slow, organic west coast lifestyle
  • Japanese tea room style
  • Street art style
  • A room inspired by Oasis' first album (see below) Read more

by Zoe Ward

Former Yakuza arrested for squatting

A former Yakuza leader was arrested by police after allegedly squatting in an apartment in Tokyo's Itabashi-ku for 14 months. In early 2012, the 36-year old suspect had asked a real estate agency to view the apartment, which was advertised for rent, and was given a key to inspect it himself. He never returned the key, nor signed a rental contract.

Gas and electricity were connected by the suspect, and he had even installed a security camera.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Living allowances of university students falls to lowest level

The following article may be useful to those investing in student-oriented accommodation.

The average living allowance of a private university or college student living away from home and starting university in 2012 was 89,500 Yen/month (USD 917). This is the twelfth year of continuous decline.

The survey was conducted by the Tokyo Private University Teachers Union. A total of 5,349 students from 17 universities across Tokyo were surveyed between May and July in 2012. Of those students, 2,128 students were living away from home.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Tokyo company offers cat-rental along with apartment

One association in Tokyo has taken the concept of pet-friendly apartments to the next level by offering rental apartments that include a cat as part of their lease terms.Read more

by Zoe Ward