Nihonbashi expressway may be moving underground

The unsightly Metropolitan Expressway that runs above the historic Nihonbashi Bridge in downtown Tokyo may be shifted underground. On July 21, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced that they have started investigations into the relocation of the highway.

Construction would begin after the 2020 Summer Olympics and form part of the district's ongoing redevelopment. The project could cost as much as 500 billion Yen (4.5 billion USD).Read more


Average apartment rent in June 2017

According to Tokyo Kantei, the average monthly rent of a condominium-type apartment across greater Tokyo in June 2017 was 2,619 Yen/sqm, down 0.5% from the previous month but up 0.5% from last year. The average apartment size was 59.62 sqm and the average building age was 20.4 years.

In the Tokyo metropolitan area the average monthly rent was 3,128 Yen/sqm, down 0.4% from the previous month and down 0.1% from last year. The average apartment size was 56.51 sqm and the average building age was 18.5 years.

In Tokyo’s 23 wards the average monthly rent was 3,292 Yen/sqm, down 0.2% from the previous month but up 0.1% from last year. The average apartment size was 55.78 sqm and the average building age was 17.8 years.

Both Yokohama and Saitama cities saw a large increase in average rents due to a larger share of transactions on newer apartments in more central locations, and a smaller share of transactions for older buildings that generally command lower rents.

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New apartment supply in Tokyo down 25% in June

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, a total of 2,284 brand new apartments were released for sale across greater Tokyo in June, down 12.3% from the previous month and down 25.1% from last year.

1,534 apartments were sold, resulting in a contract ratio of 67.2%, down 5.0 points from the previous month and down 2.4 points from last year. Unsold inventory as at the end of June was 6,210 apartments, down 212 units from the previous month but up 80 units from June 2016.

The average price of a new apartment across greater Tokyo was 56,420,000 Yen, down 5.7% from the previous month and down 0.5% from last year. Thea average price per square meter was 840,000 Yen, down 2.4% from the previous month but up 2.1% from last year.

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Same-day sellout in Brillia Tower Yoyogi-Koen Classy

All apartments offered in the first round of sales in a new high-rise just west of Yoyogi Park have sold out on the first day. A total of 116 apartments were offered for sale in late May, and a further 15 were offered on June 11. A total of 210 applications were made on the 131 apartments, with the most popular apartment receiving 15 applications. The average price of an apartment sold was 120 million Yen (approx. 1.07 million USD). The building is now 67% sold.

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Kyoto’s most expensive rental apartments to open in 2018

Kyoto’s most expensive rental apartment building is scheduled open in May 2018. The 5-storey La Tour Kyoto Higashiyama residence is being developed by Sumitomo Realty in the Higashiyama ward. It will be part of Sumitomo’s 'La Tour' brand of high-end rental apartments. The developer currently operates 20 La Tour buildings in central Tokyo, but this will be their first one outside of the capital.

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12 Exclusive residences planned for Toranomon high-rise

A limited number of high-end penthouse condominiums are planned for the Tokyo World Gate development in central Tokyo’s Toranomon district.

The 12 luxuriously appointed residences will range in size from 150 ~ 400 sqm (1,614 ~ 4,304 sq ft). One of the residences will be a duplex-style apartment with ceiling heights of up to 6 meters. These exclusive residences are aimed at world-class business executives looking for one-of-a-kind sky homes in the heart of Tokyo.

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Tokyo apartment sale prices increase for 57th month

According to REINS, 3,333 second-hand apartments were sold across greater Tokyo in June, up 11.7% from the previous month and up 8.6% from last year. The average sale price was 31,620,000 Yen, down 0.3% from the previous month but up 4.8% from last year. The average price per square meter was 496,100 Yen, up 0.2% from the previous month and up 3.8% from last year. This is the 54th month in a row to record a year-on-year increase in sale prices. The average building age was 21.07 years.

In the Tokyo metropolitan area 1,750 second-hand apartments were sold, up 14.2% from the previous month and up 10.5% from last year. The average sale price was 38,640,000 Yen, down 1.7% from the previous month but up 3.2% from last year. The average sale price per square meter was 650,600 Yen, down 1.5% from the previous month but up 1.3% from last year. This is the 57th month in a row to record a year-on-year increase in sale prices. The average building age was 20.00 years.

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