Much has been said about the recent turn around in land prices in Japan over the last couple of years. Since the burst of the bubble land prices have been going down for 15 years but recently there has been an upswing in values in the major cities of Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka although values in other regions continue to fall. In Tokyo much of the focus has been on major redevelopments of central city areas amidst a general trend towards central city living. Shiodome is one such area, and the over-hyped and under-berated Roppongi Hills complex another. However, outside of the central city areas one suburb in particular is going through some dramatic changes.
Located in the Nakahara ward of Kawasaki, Musashi Kosugi is a fair hike from central Tokyo. However, for the salaryman who cannot afford to live in the inner suburbs, or does not wish to, the daily commute can be a big factor in deciding where to live and this has been fundamental to Musashi Kosugi’s present building boom.
Situated where the Tokyu Toyoko and JR Nambu lines cross it is only 15 minutes to Yokohama, Kawasaki and the Tokyo hub of Shibuya, but its convenience has also been greatly improved since 2000 when the Mita and Namboku subway lines were both extended through to Meguro with trains continuing all the way to Musashi Kosugi along the Tokyu Meguro line. Moreover, public transport will get even better once the planned station on the JR Yokosuka line is completed in March 2010 about 300m east of the existing Tokyu & JR stations. It will give a direct route through to Tokyo in just 20 minutes, less than half the time it takes now. With such a choice of commuting routes, it no surprise that the area is gaining popularity.
The area to the southeast of Musashi Kosugi Station is undertaking changes of immense proportions. The skyline is to be transformed with the construction of 5 apartment buildings in excess of 45 storeys, including one as high as 59, another of 24 storeys, and a 21 storey hotel.
Such a transformation will have a profound effect on the region. Obviously the demands on the local infrastructure will increase with the sudden rise in population once the 3615 apartments fill up. The department store FROM is being demolished to allow the narrow alley that runs between the Toyoko and JR Musashi Kosugi stations to be widened and the St. Marianna University’s Toyoko Hospital, located just 2 minutes walk from the station, has also been torn down to be rebuilt. On the other hand, one cannot help thinking that retailers such Ito Yokado, who operate a large store nearby, are eagerly awaiting the influx.
For locals that already live in the area the increased congestion on those rush hour trains is something that we may just have to put up with. Though, hopefully we will get one of those maid cafes to help ease the pain.
A new station in 2010. Hmmm…. Does that mean I should be buying land in Musashi Kosugi now?
I hope they build a skyscraper of Maid cafes! thousands of wee frilly girlies just waiting to please…ooo..i get sweaty palms just thinking about it…ooo I cant wait….!
Hmmm… I will be moving next year from my current location in Saitama (On the Tobu Tojo line) as marriage means twice as much stuff to hold onto. While not planning to move until late summer, I’ve already started looking at places to live, that is closer to work (Ebisu). I’ve been at a loss actually because it’s just frustrating to find anything good, but perhaps I should take a look at Musashi-Kosugi, if it is as cheap as to be believed. Heck, if I could sit down on a train in the morning, I wouldn’t mind an 45~60 minute commute so much.
Being a fan of central city living I could think of nothing worse than living ‘only 15 minutes from shibuya’ because as everyone knows, you need to double any train journey times that property developers are spouting…
However, the author sounds like a bit of a local boy, are you for are against these massive new places? Not that I have enough money to go investing in any places, but I think if you’re clever enough and know the city well enough,. there is definitely plenty of money to be made in real estate in Tokyo.
The trains are not getting any longer or any more frequent. The Toyoko line is already packed to the brim in the morning rush and the Meguro Line is also heading that way. I expect it’s the same for the Yokosuka line and Shonan-Shinjuku Express. Sheesh, they may as well have done with trains altogether and build a long moving walkway instead! Local authorities should issue planning permission to build these huge complexes after it’s been ascertained that there is – or will be – sufficient capacity in the support infrastructure (trains, schools, hospitals, etc.) to handle the expected surge. However I suspect they are too busy having their palms lined with gold to think of such things.
Well, part of reason commuting in Tokyo is such a B now is that few people live close to where they work. More residential development in the center city is a great idea.
Yeah, but… the reason why there isn’t more residential homes and mansions and what not in central Tokyo is because of two things, 1, no space, they can only build up now, and 2, cost. Hell, if I could leave by my office here in Ebisu that’d be great, but that ain’t happening, because rent here is two/thirds my salary if I want to leave in anything bigger then a 1 room apartment. That’s the main reason why people move out of Tokyo, it’s hard to afford to leave in the inner city!
I am actually moving into one of those buildings in Musashi Kosugi come this May.
I can tell you that the trains are going to be a nightmare…already pretty packed now, but by the time all of those condos are finished going up, it is going to be absolutely crazy.
If you are planning to open a restaurant, this would be a GREAT opportunity (would do it myself if all my money wasn’t going into the condo itself). The area is going to boom…its close to the Tama River…near enough to Yokohama (one of the underrated getaway areas when you need to escape the cramp and dirt of Tokyo)…and there are about 7 different lines that are accessible (add Hibiya Line and Mita Line to the before listed).
I know you want to ask but probably think its too personal, so I will just tell you:
My condo is about 47 Million for 70sq. m on the 29th floor of the Mid-Sky Tower (about 2 minutes from lobby to ticket gate). I saw a couple of the other condos out there that are being built and the ones we saw ranged from about 37M – 85M (65sq. m – 120). The main difference was floor number and distance from station.
A little side about Musashi Kosugi is that the Kawasaki Frontale Soccer Team’s stadium is about a 15 minute walk away (near Shin Maruko station; which is a great area…and hoping Musashi Kosugi follows suit in building up the area).
Hope this helps give more insight into this area.