Renting vs. buying in Japan: How to cut your rent by up to 50%

Japan's real estate market offers relatively high rental yields. Coupled with a low cost of funds (1% floating interest rates from Japanese banks, although rates on investment loans may be higher) the net return is one of the most appealing features to many investors.

The typical gross rental yield for an apartment in central Tokyo is between 4-6%. This may be as low as 2~3% for a high-end luxury expatriate apartment, and over 10% for a studio or one-room type apartment in an older building.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Central Tokyo prices up 1.9% in 2010

On January 13th, 2011, Mitsui Fudosan announced the 2010 residential price movements. Prices in Tokyo rose 1.0% in 2010, compared with a 4.5% decline in 2009 after the Lehman Shock. This is the first increase since 2007. An improvement in economic conditions as well as the expansion in mortgage tax reductions were cited as reasons for the increase. For Tokyo's 23 Wards, the price increase was 1.9%. In Yokohama and Kawasaki, the prices increased by 0.4%.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Minato-ku apartment prices increased 61% over past decade

An apartment consulting company, Total Brain, has analyzed condominium apartment prices in Tokyo's central 6 wards (Minato, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Chiyoda, Chuo and Bunkyo ku) from the year 2000 to 2010.

The average apartment price in all of these areas has risen, but Shibuya had the lowest price increase. The area with the highest increase in average prices was Minato-ku with an increase of 61%.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Azabudai Parkhouse (Leasehold)

azabudai-parkhouse-ex2

Price when new: 65 - 840 million JPY
Size range: 45 - 325 sqm (484 - 3500 sqft)
Average price/sqm: 1,720,000 JPY

Note: This building in on leasehold land. 

Azabudai Parkhouse has a 51 year fixed land lease - the land is leased from the Tokyo American Club. At the end of the lease, the building must be demolished and returned to the landowner.Read more

by Zoe Ward

New Apartments in Tokyo in 2011

The following is a list of some of the residential apartments in central Tokyo that will be completed in 2011. Click on the links below for details on each unit.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Akasaka Prince Hotel Redevelopment Plans Announced

Akasaka Prince Hotel

Due to aging, increasing maintenance and competition from  foreign-owned hotels, the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka will close in March, 2011 and will be demolished. Of the three buildings on the site, the oldest building dating from 1930 will be kept.

The current 139m 40-storey hotel was designed by Kenzo Tange and opened in 1983. It was hugely popular during the bubble, but lack of adequate maintenance and the introduction of foreign hotels to the market in the last decade has greatly reduced its appeal.Read more

by Zoe Ward

Tokyo Tatemono ties up with HSBC Premier

Tokyo Tatemono will be working together with HSBC to market new and second-hand apartments to wealthy foreigners primarily in Japan.

They will introduce the Brillia Series of apartments, as well as second-hand and investment properties to the Premier clients (those with savings and assets of over 10,000,000 JPY held with HSBC).Read more

by Zoe Ward