Ticket sales for Osaka Expo exceed 25 Million. Thanks to positive word of mouth, ticket sales gradually started to pick up after a sluggish start.That’s not to say that everything has run smoothly. There were many complaints, particularly in the opening weeks, regarding long wait times for pavilions and transport, confusing reservation systems and a lack of basic amenities.
“The ¥23 billion to ¥28 billion (161,000,000 USD)profit is certainly welcome, but what makes me happiest is that… everyone is enjoying themselves safely, and nearly 80% of visitors said they’d like to come again,”Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said.
Now it’s all over, the pavilions will be dismantled. While many will be demolished, the organizers are attempting to reuse or repurpose materials and even some structures, with the principle being minimal waste.
Japan has no restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate, making it attractive to foreign investors.Major infrastructure projects are sweetening the deal. A multibillion-dollar casino resort opening in 2029 at the same place is expected to drive tourism numbers even higher. Demand for short-stay accommodation in Osaka will reach “an all-time high” sometime soon.
Osaka alone welcomed 14.6 million visitors last year, with the government targeting more than 16 million arrivals for this year. The recent World Expo, which concluded in October, brought a massive influx of 27 million domestic and international visitors to the city over six months. Osaka is expected to undergo a significant upgrade in its urban functions even after the Expo.
Some of foreign buyers are hunting for investment properties, particularly short-term rentals catering to tourists, while others are purchasing retirement or holiday homes.
Osaka is rapidly gaining ground for all of them. It offers a compelling value proposition: property prices roughly 30 per cent lower than Tokyo, higher rental yields and fewer restrictions on short-term rental operations. The rental yields in Osaka are around 5 per cent, compared with Tokyo’s 3 per cent. Osaka's realtors are always in the know about what’s happening in the community. It's booming now.
Koji Kitada
Licensed real estate agent
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