Lessons from a Real Property Tour from Shu Matsuo Post featuring Shiki Properties
In recent years, Osaka is becoming increasingly recognized as one of Japan’s most accessible and practical cities for property ownership. Compared with many global metropolitan areas, it offers a rare combination of affordability and diverse housing options. From compact entry-level homes to high-end residences, its real estate market allows buyers to align their purchase with clear lifestyle or investment goals, but how true is that in 2026?
To get to the bottom of it, a recent property tour by Shu Matsuo of Akiya Hub on his YouTube channel Shu Matsuo Post, in collaboration with Shiki Properties, compared homes priced at approximately $60,000, $121,000, $318,000 and $2 million USD. The video highlights how wide the range of choices can be within the same city while providing insights into the reality of real estate within the Kansai area in an interview with our Founder & CEO Chai Kanda.
Shu Matsuo Post with Chai and Yi in Osaka
Here’s a breakdown of those price points, and how to think about value at each level.
$60,000 Home in Osaka: Entry-Level Ownership
The first property shown represents the most affordable entry point into Osaka’s housing market. While these types of homes are modest, they demonstrate how accessible ownership can be in a major Japanese city.
Yi with Shu looking inside a $60,000 Home in Osaka
What This Price offers
- A compact home, on the older side
- Simple layout and basic finishes
- In this case: Located near Kyobashi station
- Low overall purchase cost
As highlighted in the video, when it comes to cheaper properties, they are rarely about luxury and instead prioritize function, location, and ownership at minimal cost.
Key Considerations
- Renovation or maintenance may be required
- Often non-rebuildable due to narrow alleyways
- Living space is limited (e.g. 56sqm / 606qft)
- Resale appeal is narrower than newer homes
- Better suited for long-term rental rather than short-term
While not shown as the most ideal property, the point made in the video is to be careful in choosing who to work with for your project and not to hesitate to rely on experts to avoid potential pitfalls.
$121,000 Home in Osaka: Middle Point between Comfort and Value
While still on the more budget-friendly side, this home shows significant improvements compared to the previous one.
What This Price Offers
- Noticeably more interior space (e.g. 78sqm / 839 sqft)
- Improved structural condition and layout
- In this case: Garage / Car Park included
- Closer to Center Osaka
- More suitable for long-term rental or as a vacation home
Why This Range Works Well
- Stable rental demand
- Fewer maintenance surprises
- Strong balance between affordability and livability
While rental yields may be slightly lower on average than entry-level properties (e.g. 6.4%), they are often more consistent and predictable due in part to their location, making this tier attractive for buyers seeking stability, provided the property remains well maintained.
$318,000 Home in Osaka: The Best Overall Flexibility
Properties within this price range represent one of the most versatile segments of the Osaka market, which makes them the perfect asset for most projects.
What this Price Offers
- Prime location
- Suitable home for short-term rentals as well as long-term
- Turnkey and move-in ready
- Modern equipment and facilities
One thing to keep in mind though is the more compact layout (e.g. 67sqm) and licensing requirements such as the Minpaku license, restricting stays up to 180 days per year. Therefore, it remains important to look for advice and do your research in advance if you are planning to do short-term rentals.
$2 Million Home in Osaka: Premium Living
At the top end of the market, $2 million USD properties deliver a significantly different experience.
What defines luxury homes in Osaka
These properties are typically located in desirable neighborhoods and are designed for long-term residence rather than short-term investment performance.
Investment vs Lifestyle
As such, this tier is best viewed as a lifestyle-driven purchase rather than a yield-focused one.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Osaka Property as an Overseas Buyer
All in all, it begs the question: Is Osaka a good place to buy property? For overseas buyers, the city indeed stands out and offers several structural advantages:
- Relatively accessible purchase prices, especially compared to Tokyo
- Lower price volatility than many Western cities
- Strong tenant demand supported by public transport
- No extreme scarcity pricing like London or Vancouver
- Diverse housing stock across many price levels
These factors make it possible to approach property ownership with clear intent and manageable risk. Thankfully, one of Osaka’s defining characteristics is choice. Buyers are not forced into a single strategy by price pressure alone:
- Lower-priced homes prioritize accessibility and yield
- Mid-range homes balance comfort and flexibility
- Luxury homes deliver lifestyle and long-term living quality
The right choice depends not on budget alone, but on how the property will be used over time. Whether your goal is income, personal use, or long-term holding, taking the time to understand these distinctions can make a significant difference in both satisfaction and long-term outcomes. Whether you’re buying your first home in Japan, expanding an investment portfolio, or relocating for lifestyle reasons, if you’re considering buying in Osaka, working with professionals who understand both Japanese real estate and overseas buyer needs can make all the difference.
This is where Shiki Properties can help. We guide buyers through Osaka’s or Kyoto’s property landscape with a focus on livability, long-term value, and a purchase process that feels straightforward, even from abroad. For buyers exploring lifestyle-led homes specifically, Akiyahub complements this approach by highlighting properties chosen for how they support day-to-day living, not just price or yield, helping buyers evaluate homes through a long-term, practical lens.
