As the demand for housing in Tokyo continues to surge, a notable trend has emerged among homebuyers: the shift toward suburban living. This movement reflects changing priorities, influenced by factors such as rising property prices in central Tokyo and the increasing appeal of suburban areas that offer more space and a quieter lifestyle. Surprisingly, condominiums…

This September, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced a significant rise in land prices, with commercial areas up by 8.4% and residential areas increasing by 4.6%. This marks the third straight year of growth for commercial land and the 12th consecutive rise for residential, reflecting Tokyo’s steady recovery from the pandemic. But what’s behind this surge,…

Finding a reliable, foreigner-friendly maid or cleaning service can be a challenge in Tokyo, especially for those without Japanese language skills. Though there are many cleaning services available, this guide will primarily focus on those that also offer foreign-language support. The rankings consider the services provided, pricing, and how expat-friendly each company is, helping international…

For decades, Japanese homeowners enjoyed some of the lowest mortgage rates in the world. The central bank’s near-zero interest rate policy, in place since the mid-1990s, led to a continuous lowering of mortgage rates as banks competed for loan business, allowing borrowers to secure floating-rate mortgages at as little as 0.3% and fixed rates just…