Japan Sees Continued Surge in Land Prices for Fifth Year
By Editor • September 15, 2026 • 1 min read
Japan's land prices have marked a notable rise for the fifth consecutive year, reflecting a gradual economic recovery across the nation. According to the land ministry's report released on Tuesday, as of July 1, the average land price nationwide has increased by 1.5% compared to the previous year.
The growth is largely attributed to a 1.0% increase in residential land prices and a significant 2.9% hike in commercial land prices. Among Japan's major metropolitan areas, both Tokyo and Osaka experienced faster growth in land prices, while Nagoya lagged behind.
In contrast, the four major regional cities—Sapporo, Sendai, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka—saw a slowdown in land price growth. This is largely due to homebuyers shifting their focus to more affordable suburban properties amidst rising prices and construction costs. Interestingly, outside these four cities, commercial land prices are increasing at a quicker pace.
Nationally, 20 prefectures reported higher residential land prices, maintaining the same figures as last year. Nagasaki saw its residential prices rise after remaining stable, while Tochigi and Yamaguchi halted their downward trends. Meanwhile, commercial land prices climbed in 34 out of 47 prefectures, reflecting an increase of four from the previous year.
Tokyo leads the country in both residential and commercial land price growth, marking a significant milestone as it recorded the highest increase in commercial land prices for the first time in 12 years. Notably, a residential plot in Akasaka, Minato Ward, retained its title as the most expensive land for the eighth year running, rising to ¥7.5 million per square meter from ¥6.43 million. Commercially, a site in Ginza, Chuo Ward, continued its reign as the priciest land for the 21st year, with prices escalating to ¥52.5 million per square meter from ¥46.9 million.
Source: www.japantimes.co.jp
