Seibu to sell hotels for US$1.3 billion

Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC has emerged as the potential buyer for the majority of Seibu Holdings’ hotel portfolio. Around 30 of Seibu’s hotels are expected to be sold for somewhere around 150 billion Yen (approx. US$1.3 billion).

Read more


Nintendo hotel in Kyoto to open this April

The conversion of the historic former Nintendo headquarters in Kyoto will open as a boutique hotel this April. Called ‘Marufukurō’, it is named after Marufuku, the name of the previous corporate incarnation of Nintendo.

Read more


How has Tokyo's rental market changed since the pandemic

News reports are still coming out about an exodus from Tokyo as the coronavirus pandemic continues, but has this had any effect on the real estate market in Tokyo’s 23 wards?

Read more


Same day sellout in Brillia Tower Dojima

One of the most luxurious apartment towers to be built in Osaka is already proving a hit with buyers with all apartments released in the first round of sales receiving purchase applications.

Read more


155m tall tower for Dogenzaka, Shibuya

On January 19, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government approved the formation of the redevelopment committee for the Dogenzaka 2 Chome South District Redevelopment. This will see a 155-meter tall tower built near the west exit of Shibuya Station on the Inokashira Line.

Read more


Kyoto may be first city in Japan to introduce a tax on empty homes

Kyoto City is looking at introducing a special tax on vacant ‘akiya’ homes, in what could become the first akiya tax in Japan.

Read more


Second-hand apartment transactions reach record high in 2021

According to REINS, a total of 39,812 second-hand apartments were reported to have sold across greater Tokyo in 2021, up 11.1% from 2020 and the highest level on record. Second-hand apartment transactions have exceeded those of new apartments, with the total supply of brand-new apartments in 2021 at 33,636 units. The myth of buyers only preferring new construction is well and truly ancient.

Read more