Minami Back on Top in Osaka Land Prices

Mar 17, 2026 | News On Japan

OSAKA - Osaka’s latest official land price survey highlights a significant shift in the city’s real estate landscape, with the Minami district reclaiming the top position for the first time in six years, overtaking Kita, the long-dominant commercial hub centered around Umeda.

A commercial property near Ebisu Bridge in Minami recorded the highest land value in the Kansai region, reaching approximately 25 million yen per square meter, reflecting the area’s strong recovery driven by inbound tourism. With Osaka welcoming a record number of foreign visitors last year, Minami—known for its shopping, dining, and entertainment—benefited more directly than Kita, which relies more heavily on office demand.

Beyond the rivalry between Kita and Minami, attention is increasingly shifting to Osaka’s eastern districts, where new developments are reshaping demand. The opening of a new Osaka Metropolitan University campus in September has triggered a surge in real estate interest, particularly from students and developers, leading to the emergence of student housing and condominium projects in areas that previously saw little such activity. Planned infrastructure improvements, including a new Osaka Metro station set to open in the coming years, are expected to further enhance accessibility and support continued growth.

Analysts note that rising prices in central Osaka are pushing demand outward, creating a spillover effect into neighboring districts such as Miyakojima, Higashinari, Joto, Tsurumi, and Asahi. These areas, especially those near train stations, are seeing increased attention as more affordable alternatives to the already high-priced inner zones within the Osaka Loop Line.

Meanwhile, the western part of the city is also gaining attention due to long-term development projects. Although the Expo has concluded, infrastructure built for the event—such as the extension of the Chuo Line to Yumeshima—has boosted connectivity and economic activity. Looking ahead, the planned integrated resort (IR) scheduled to open around autumn 2030 is expected to further elevate the Nishi area, with locations like Bentencho positioned as key transit and development hubs.

Overall, Osaka’s land price trends reflect a broader transition from a two-center dynamic focused on Kita and Minami to a more complex, citywide evolution, with growth spreading east and west as infrastructure, redevelopment, and tourism reshape demand patterns.

Source: YOMIURI

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