Central Kyoto
京都市中心部
KyotoInvestment Index
Declining
Kyoto attracts cultural tourism investors seeking long-term capital preservation. Transaction volume is thin but prices hold steady.
What buyers actually paid vs listing site prices
Listing sites
~¥896,000/m²
Actual price
¥800,000/m²
-11%
* Listing price estimated based on typical asking-to-transaction gaps.
Market Trends
Prices have risen 100% over the displayed period. Check whether current momentum is sustainable.
Median price per m² and transaction volume from MLIT government data. Tap data points for details.
Price vs Building Age
A 40-year-old building trades at roughly half the price of a new one. Building age is one of the biggest price drivers in this area.
Investment Guide by Building Age
Recommendations for foreign investors based on seismic standards, depreciation, and financing.
| Age | Median/m² | Count | Seismic | Tax Life | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–10 yrs | ¥833,333 | 19 | ✓ Modern | 37–47 yrs remaining | ● Recommended |
| 11–20 yrs | ¥830,000 | 4 | ✓ Modern | 27–36 yrs remaining | ● Recommended |
| 21–30 yrs | ¥785,714 | 13 | △ Post-1981 | 17–26 yrs remaining | ◐ Caution |
| 31–40 yrs | ¥633,333 | 5 | △ Post-1981 | 7–16 yrs remaining | ○ High Risk |
| 40+ yrs | ¥354,500 | 8 | ✗ Pre-1981 | 0–6 yrs remaining | ○ High Risk |
● Recommended = Post-2000 seismic standard, financeable, strong resale · ◐ Caution = Post-1981, verify repair history · ○ High Risk = Pre-1981, limited financing, higher insurance
Market Evidence
Recent transaction samples from MLIT
All transactions from MLIT Q3 2025 release
These are actual sale prices recorded by the government — typically 5-15% below listing site prices.
| Date | Price | Area | Price/㎡ | Built | Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | ¥13,000,000 $81,802 | 40.0 m² | ¥325,000 $2,045 | 1972 54 years | Nijo |
| Q3 2025 | ¥21,000,000 $132,142 | 25.0 m² | ¥840,000 $5,286 | 2019 7 years | Saiin |
| Q3 2025 | ¥18,000,000 $113,265 | 20.0 m² | ¥900,000 $5,663 | 2019 7 years | Saiin |
| Q3 2025 | ¥19,000,000 $119,557 | 25.0 m² | ¥760,000 $4,782 | 2016 10 years | Saiin |
Showing 4 of 50 transactions.
Why the full dataset matters
These 4 records are a sample. Averages hide the range — a 25㎡ studio and a 90㎡ family unit in the same area have very different price points. Building age changes everything too.
The full dataset lets you filter by size, age, and exact location to find transactions that match your criteria — not just the area average.
Get Full Transaction Records
All 50 records with address, size, price, and building age.
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* Data sourced from MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) public records. Sample transactions may not represent all market activity.
Who Invests in Central Kyoto
Typical Investor
Cultural tourism investors, machiya renovation enthusiasts, patient capital
Investment Thesis
Irreplaceable cultural location. Strong tourism demand supports short-term rental income.
Key Risk
Strict zoning and minpaku regulations. Limited residential inventory. Thin liquidity.