Foreign tourists are back and hotels are seeing record-high revenues
Despite the scorching summer temperatures, foreign tourists returned to Japan in droves in August and hotels are the first to benefit. The Nikkei Shimbun newspaper reported in early September that hotels in central Tokyo are seeing ADRs that are 30% higher than pre-pandemic levels, and the rate of increase has exceeded that of New York. The Palace Hotel Tokyo’s ADR has exceeded 100,000 Yen for the first time. Some city hotels in Osaka have seen their ADR increase by as much as 30% since the beginning of the year and over 100% from early 2022.
Developer acquires Gaetano Pesce-designed building in Osaka
A landmark office building in Osaka has been sold to Kintetsu Real Estate in June. Organic Building was designed by Gaetano Pesce and built in 1993. The facade is comprised of various red planter panels, with the 80 varieties of plants kept alive with a computer-controlled watering system. Read more
Historic Osaka office building demolished and sold to developer
A landmark heritage building alongside Dojima River in Osaka is under demolition by a local developer. Demolition started in April 2023 with completion expected by late October.Read more
Osaka office building sells at 3.5% cap rate
A 13-story office building in Osaka has been acquired by a J-REIT for 17.215 billion Yen (approx. US$121 million). Japan Real Estate Investment Corporation purchased Forecast Sakaisuji Hommachi on August 1 with delivery to take place by the end of the month. The seller was not named.Read more
Aldo Rossi-designed hotel sold
A long-closed Aldo Rossi-designed hotel in Osaka has been sold. According to the Nikkei Real Estate Market Report, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Panasonic Finance acquired the closed hotel late last year.Read more
Temple wins appeal over tax bill
A temple in Osaka has won an appeal trial over the taxation of land within the temple grounds, resulting in the cancellation of a 4.8 million Yen tax bill. Under the Religious Corporations Act, temple and shrine land is normally not taxed unless it is for commercial use.Read more
Expected yields on Japanese real estate remain at historic lows
Despite the turmoil happening in some overseas commercial real estate sectors, investors in Japanese real estate continue to anticipate record-low yields. That may be due in part to low interest rates which make it one of the few places with a positive yield spread over government bonds. The latest investor survey by the Japan Real Estate Institute in April shows expected yields have either remained the same or dropped, depending on the asset class and location.Read more