Akita Housing Market 2026: Japan's Fastest-Shrinking Prefecture
Data updated 2026-11-11 · Source: MLIT transaction price survey, 2005 Q3–2026 Q2 · Transactions in 2025: 1,495
In short
- 1Over 8% fewer people in five years
Akita lost 8.1% of its population between 2020 and 2025, the steepest decline in Japan in this analysis, and households fell too.
- 2One in ten homes abandoned
10.0% of Akita's homes are empty without being for rent, sale or holiday use, well above the national 5.9% (only a few prefectures in Shikoku, Kyushu and western Japan are higher).
- 3Condo prices are falling
Akita City's condo prices per m² are about 18% lower than five years ago, and the prefecture's condos now cost about a third of the national average per m², down from 60% a decade ago.
- 4Why anyone buys
Akita offers space and very low prices.
- 5What to plan for
Plan to hold long-term, because resale can be slow.
The answers, compared
What does a home cost?
¥11.0M
median used condo · ¥176k/m²
68% below the Japan median
44 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Are prices rising?
-17.7%
over 5 years
Slower than Japan (+33.4%)
46 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Can local earners afford it?
3.6× income
median price ÷ average taxable income
Easier than Japan (6.6×)
44 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Rent or buy?
21years of rent
median price ÷ a year of median rent
Shorter than Japan (38)
44 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Are people moving in?
-8.1%
population, 2020–25
Shrinking faster than Japan (-2.5%)
47 of 47 prefectures, highest first
How risky is it?
9%
chance of strong shaking (6-lower+) in 30 years
Lower than Japan (38%)
40 of 47 prefectures, highest first
Rent in Akita
The average private rental costs ¥48k a month (2023), +4.0% since 2018. Japan: ¥65k
| Floor area | Typical layout | Average rent / month | AkitaJapan |
|---|---|---|---|
| under 30 m² studio / 1K | studio / 1K | ¥39k vs 2018 +1.0% · Japan: ¥53k | |
| 30–49 m² 1LDK / 2DK | 1LDK / 2DK | ¥46k vs 2018 +3.4% · Japan: ¥64k | |
| 50–69 m² 2LDK / 3DK | 2LDK / 3DK | ¥54k vs 2018 +3.1% · Japan: ¥75k | |
| 70–99 m² 3LDK / family | 3LDK / family | ¥60k vs 2018 +9.3% · Japan: ¥88k | |
| 100–149 m² mostly houses | mostly houses | ¥52k vs 2018 +12.8% · Japan: ¥84k | |
| 150 m² + mostly houses | mostly houses | ¥49k vs 2018 +7.7% · Japan: ¥91k |
- Rent per m²
- ¥1,200
- median, per month · Japan: ¥1,598
- The median used condo (¥11.0M, 70 m²) costs about 15 years of average rent for a similar-sized home (¥60k a month).
- Excludes management fees, repair reserve, property tax and mortgage interest.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Housing and Land Survey 2023. Privately owned rentals (excluding rent-free homes), monthly rent without management fees. These averages include older homes, so they run below asking rents for newly listed units. 61,400 rented homes.
Over 8% fewer people in five years
Akita lost 8.1% of its population between 2020 and 2025, the steepest decline in Japan in this analysis, and households fell too. More than 3,800 more people left than arrived in 2025.
One in ten homes abandoned
10.0% of Akita's homes are empty without being for rent, sale or holiday use, well above the national 5.9% (only a few prefectures in Shikoku, Kyushu and western Japan are higher). Houses outside Akita City often sell for little more than the value of the land, which is itself low: about 16,000 yen per m² on the government's benchmark sites, down about 5% in a decade.
Condo prices are falling
Akita City's condo prices per m² are about 18% lower than five years ago, and the prefecture's condos now cost about a third of the national average per m², down from 60% a decade ago. Sales volume fell 21% in three years.
Why anyone buys
Akita offers space and very low prices. A median condo costs about 21 years of the local median rent, and many towns run akiya banks and relocation subsidies for families and remote workers. Lake Tazawa and Kakunodate attract visitors, but the second-home market is small.
What to plan for
Plan to hold long-term, because resale can be slow. Budget for heavy snow, roof maintenance and heating. Akita's earthquake risk is low (about 9% chance of 6-lower shaking in 30 years), but 11% of benchmark sites are in tsunami zones along the Sea of Japan coast.
Living in Akita: people, homes and risks
- Population 2025
- 882,100
- -8.1% since 2020
- Japan: -2.5%
- Net moves in 2025
- -3,836
- -4.35 per 1,000 residents
- Vacant homes (2023)
- 15.8%
- 10.0% empty and not for rent or sale
- Japan: 13.8%
- Median rent (2023)
- ¥44k
- per month, all rented homes
- Japan: ¥57k
- Strong earthquake risk
- 8.9%
- chance of shaking of intensity 6-lower or more within 30 years
- Japan: 38.4%
- Average income per taxpayer
- ¥3.0M
- taxable income in 2023
- Japan: ¥3.9M
- Foreign residents
- 0.6%
- 5,753 registered residents in 2024
- Japan: 3.0%
- Clinics
- 9.1
- per 10,000 residents; 66 hospitals, 431 dental clinics (2020)
- Japan: 8.5
- Official land price 2026
- ¥16k/m²
- +0.7% in a year · +0.8% in 5 years
- Japan: ¥74k/m²
- Flood exposure
- 45.4%
- of 185 benchmark sites in a worst-case flood zone (4.3% 3 m or deeper)
- Japan: 42.6%
- Tsunami exposure
- 11.4%
- of 185 benchmark sites in a tsunami inundation zone
- Japan: 7.8%
- Landslide exposure
- 1.1%
- of 185 benchmark sites in a landslide warning area
- Japan: 2.6%
Check flood, landslide and tsunami zones for a specific address on the government hazard map ↗
Sources: 2025 Census (preliminary), 2025 Internal Migration Report, 2023 Housing and Land Survey (Statistics Bureau of Japan); J-SHIS seismic hazard model (NIED, 2024); Land Price Publication (MLIT); recorded crime: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (Tokyo only); incomes: Ministry of Internal Affairs taxation survey via the Statistics Bureau's municipal indicators; foreign residents: Basic Resident Register; medical facilities and station passengers: MLIT National Land Numerical Information. Earthquake probability is measured at the municipal center.
Example sales in Akita
Real transactions from the last four quarters, picked near the lower (20th percentile), middle and upper (80th percentile) price points. Locations are shown at district level, as published by MLIT.
Condo
¥5.5M
¥110k/m²
- Omachi, Akita City
- Akita · 20 min walk
- Open floor · 50 m²
- Built 1990 (36 yrs) · SRC
¥11.0M
¥157k/m²
- Senshuyadomemachi, Akita City
- Akita · 18 min walk
- 3LDK · 70 m²
- Built 1989 (37 yrs) · SRC
¥21.0M
¥263k/m²
- Hodonosuwacho, Akita City
- Akita · 21 min walk
- 3LDK · 80 m²
- Built 2005 (21 yrs) · SRC
House
¥2.0M
¥11k/m²
- Jumonjimachi, Yokote City
- Jumonji · 14 min walk
- Land 320 m² · floor 185 m²
- Built 1975 (51 yrs) · Wood
¥9.5M
¥79k/m²
- Nishibonten, Yurihonjo City
- Ugo Honjo · 4 min walk
- Land 330 m² · floor 120 m²
- Built 1996 (30 yrs) · Wood
¥25.0M
¥179k/m²
- Tegata, Akita City
- Akita · 18 min walk
- Land 260 m² · floor 140 m²
- Built 1999 (27 yrs) · Light steel
Show data table
| Year | Condo | House |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ¥9.4M | ¥11.0M |
| 2008 | ¥11.0M | ¥10.0M |
| 2009 | ¥8.5M | ¥9.5M |
| 2010 | ¥8.7M | ¥10.0M |
| 2011 | ¥8.6M | ¥10.0M |
| 2012 | ¥8.8M | ¥11.0M |
| 2013 | ¥7.8M | ¥9.5M |
| 2014 | ¥10.5M | ¥9.6M |
| 2015 | ¥12.0M | ¥9.8M |
| 2016 | ¥12.0M | ¥11.0M |
| 2017 | ¥12.0M | ¥10.0M |
| 2018 | ¥8.3M | ¥11.0M |
| 2019 | ¥13.0M | ¥13.0M |
| 2020 | ¥14.0M | ¥12.0M |
| 2021 | ¥12.0M | ¥10.0M |
| 2022 | ¥6.7M | ¥9.7M |
| 2023 | ¥11.5M | ¥8.5M |
| 2024 | ¥11.5M | ¥9.6M |
| 2025 | ¥11.0M | ¥9.5M |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥11.0M | ¥9.8M |
Show data table
| Year | Condo | House | Land |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ¥162k/m² | ¥76k/m² | ¥21k/m² |
| 2008 | ¥171k/m² | ¥75k/m² | ¥16k/m² |
| 2009 | ¥139k/m² | ¥67k/m² | ¥17k/m² |
| 2010 | ¥138k/m² | ¥72k/m² | ¥15k/m² |
| 2011 | ¥142k/m² | ¥68k/m² | ¥16k/m² |
| 2012 | ¥137k/m² | ¥71k/m² | ¥16k/m² |
| 2013 | ¥140k/m² | ¥71k/m² | ¥16k/m² |
| 2014 | ¥177k/m² | ¥64k/m² | ¥14k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥200k/m² | ¥70k/m² | ¥14k/m² |
| 2016 | ¥181k/m² | ¥68k/m² | ¥12k/m² |
| 2017 | ¥185k/m² | ¥68k/m² | ¥15k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥171k/m² | ¥77k/m² | ¥13k/m² |
| 2019 | ¥189k/m² | ¥80k/m² | ¥14k/m² |
| 2020 | ¥214k/m² | ¥81k/m² | ¥13k/m² |
| 2021 | ¥168k/m² | ¥68k/m² | ¥14k/m² |
| 2022 | ¥147k/m² | ¥68k/m² | ¥15k/m² |
| 2023 | ¥189k/m² | ¥59k/m² | ¥11k/m² |
| 2024 | ¥166k/m² | ¥63k/m² | ¥15k/m² |
| 2025 | ¥176k/m² | ¥61k/m² | ¥14k/m² |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥163k/m² | ¥68k/m² | ¥21k/m² |
Show data table
| Building age (years) | Condo | House |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | – | ¥267k/m² |
| 1 | – | ¥264k/m² |
| 2 | – | ¥267k/m² |
| 3 | – | ¥270k/m² |
| 4 | – | ¥222k/m² |
| 5 | – | ¥223k/m² |
| 6 | – | ¥226k/m² |
| 7 | – | ¥200k/m² |
| 8 | – | ¥180k/m² |
| 9 | – | ¥135k/m² |
| 10 | – | ¥186k/m² |
| 11 | – | ¥142k/m² |
| 12 | – | ¥182k/m² |
| 13 | – | ¥143k/m² |
| 14 | – | ¥129k/m² |
| 15 | – | ¥133k/m² |
| 16 | ¥286k/m² | ¥107k/m² |
| 17 | ¥300k/m² | ¥113k/m² |
| 18 | – | ¥119k/m² |
| 19 | ¥267k/m² | ¥81k/m² |
| 20 | – | ¥88k/m² |
| 21 | – | ¥83k/m² |
| 22 | – | ¥76k/m² |
| 23 | ¥214k/m² | ¥58k/m² |
| 24 | – | ¥65k/m² |
| 25 | – | ¥81k/m² |
| 26 | – | ¥71k/m² |
| 27 | – | ¥63k/m² |
| 28 | – | ¥76k/m² |
| 29 | ¥112k/m² | ¥64k/m² |
| 30 | – | ¥47k/m² |
| 31 | ¥131k/m² | ¥58k/m² |
| 32 | ¥139k/m² | ¥60k/m² |
| 33 | ¥151k/m² | ¥55k/m² |
| 34 | ¥142k/m² | ¥54k/m² |
| 35 | ¥142k/m² | ¥40k/m² |
| 36 | – | ¥44k/m² |
| 37 | – | ¥38k/m² |
| 38 | – | ¥36k/m² |
| 39 | – | ¥43k/m² |
| 40 | – | ¥30k/m² |
| 41 | – | ¥32k/m² |
| 42 | – | ¥36k/m² |
| 43 | – | ¥36k/m² |
| 44 | – | ¥38k/m² |
| 45 | – | ¥26k/m² |
| 46 | – | ¥28k/m² |
| 47 | – | ¥21k/m² |
| 48 | – | ¥30k/m² |
| 49 | – | ¥24k/m² |
| 50 | – | ¥18k/m² |
Each line follows buildings from one construction period over time. 1981 is when Japan's current earthquake-resistance standard (shin-taishin) took effect.
Show data table
| Year | 1981-2000 | 2001-2010 |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ¥157k/m² | – |
| 2008 | ¥133k/m² | ¥288k/m² |
| 2009 | ¥109k/m² | ¥263k/m² |
| 2010 | ¥113k/m² | ¥294k/m² |
| 2011 | ¥120k/m² | – |
| 2012 | ¥120k/m² | – |
| 2013 | ¥125k/m² | ¥297k/m² |
| 2014 | ¥143k/m² | – |
| 2015 | ¥142k/m² | ¥286k/m² |
| 2016 | ¥138k/m² | ¥300k/m² |
| 2017 | ¥144k/m² | ¥277k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥152k/m² | – |
| 2019 | ¥130k/m² | ¥250k/m² |
| 2020 | ¥130k/m² | ¥290k/m² |
| 2021 | ¥133k/m² | – |
| 2022 | ¥137k/m² | – |
| 2023 | ¥150k/m² | ¥271k/m² |
| 2024 | ¥151k/m² | – |
| 2025 | ¥138k/m² | ¥243k/m² |
Each line follows buildings from one construction period over time. 1981 is when Japan's current earthquake-resistance standard (shin-taishin) took effect.
Show data table
| Year | 1971-1980 | 1981-2000 | 2001-2010 | 2011-2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ¥52k/m² | ¥75k/m² | ¥209k/m² | – |
| 2008 | ¥42k/m² | ¥73k/m² | ¥200k/m² | – |
| 2009 | ¥42k/m² | ¥67k/m² | ¥189k/m² | – |
| 2010 | ¥39k/m² | ¥64k/m² | ¥186k/m² | – |
| 2011 | ¥36k/m² | ¥66k/m² | ¥152k/m² | ¥192k/m² |
| 2012 | ¥39k/m² | ¥63k/m² | ¥109k/m² | ¥211k/m² |
| 2013 | ¥36k/m² | ¥67k/m² | ¥120k/m² | ¥216k/m² |
| 2014 | ¥35k/m² | ¥56k/m² | ¥114k/m² | ¥210k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥29k/m² | ¥63k/m² | ¥109k/m² | ¥219k/m² |
| 2016 | ¥35k/m² | ¥60k/m² | ¥117k/m² | ¥226k/m² |
| 2017 | ¥36k/m² | ¥58k/m² | ¥78k/m² | ¥232k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥30k/m² | ¥59k/m² | ¥119k/m² | ¥237k/m² |
| 2019 | ¥33k/m² | ¥55k/m² | ¥97k/m² | ¥238k/m² |
| 2020 | ¥28k/m² | ¥56k/m² | ¥98k/m² | ¥230k/m² |
| 2021 | ¥32k/m² | ¥53k/m² | ¥118k/m² | ¥219k/m² |
| 2022 | ¥28k/m² | ¥50k/m² | ¥105k/m² | ¥200k/m² |
| 2023 | ¥22k/m² | ¥55k/m² | ¥107k/m² | ¥200k/m² |
| 2024 | ¥27k/m² | ¥52k/m² | ¥107k/m² | ¥177k/m² |
| 2025 | ¥21k/m² | ¥59k/m² | ¥100k/m² | ¥191k/m² |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥21k/m² | ¥54k/m² | – | – |
Prices by area in Akita
Median prices for 2025. Sorted by condo price per m² (or house price per m² where there are few condo sales).
| Area | Condo price per m² | Median used condo price | Median house price (land + building) | Residential land per m² (sales) | Condo 5-yr change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akita City | ¥176k/m² | ¥11.0M | ¥15.0M | ¥34k/m² | -17.7% |
| Katagami City | – | – | ¥8.0M | ¥10k/m² | – |
| Yurihonjo City | – | – | ¥12.0M | ¥15k/m² | – |
| Yokote City | – | – | ¥12.0M | ¥11k/m² | – |
| Daisen City | – | – | ¥12.0M | ¥10k/m² | – |
| Odate City | – | – | ¥5.6M | ¥12k/m² | – |
| Nikaho City | – | – | ¥4.0M | – | – |
| Yuzawa City | – | – | ¥3.0M | ¥9k/m² | – |
| Noshiro City | – | – | ¥3.5M | ¥8k/m² | – |
| Oga City | – | – | ¥2.5M | – | – |
| Kazuno City | – | – | ¥3.3M | – | – |
| Kitaakita City | – | – | ¥1.7M | ¥4k/m² | – |
Prices near train stations in Akita
Sales from 2023–2025, grouped by nearest station.
| Station | Median used condo price | Condo price per m² | Median house price (land + building) | Walk (min) | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akita (秋田) | ¥11.0M | ¥182k/m² | ¥19.0M | 18 | 594 |
| Odate (大館) | – | – | ¥6.0M | 22 | 143 |
| Yokote (横手) | – | – | ¥11.0M | 16 | 139 |
| Ugo Honjo (羽後本荘) | – | – | ¥10.5M | 14 | 124 |
| Tsuchizaki (土崎) | – | – | ¥12.0M | 19 | 119 |
| Ugo Ushijima (羽後牛島) | – | – | ¥13.0M | 18 | 114 |
| Omagari(Akita) (大曲(秋田)) | – | – | ¥15.0M | 15 | 99 |
| Noshiro (能代) | – | – | ¥4.2M | 15 | 94 |
| Yuzawa (湯沢) | – | – | ¥4.8M | 10 | 90 |
| Izumisoto Asahikawa (泉外旭川) | – | – | ¥26.0M | 11 | 72 |
| Araya(Akita) (新屋(秋田)) | – | – | ¥12.0M | 14 | 62 |
| Kazunohanawa (鹿角花輪) | – | – | ¥4.5M | 10 | 51 |
| Takanosu(JR) (鷹ノ巣) | – | – | ¥3.5M | 14 | 50 |
| Jumonji (十文字) | – | – | ¥6.0M | 13 | 45 |
| Kami Iijima (上飯島) | – | – | ¥13.5M | 10 | 40 |
Used condo prices by layout in Akita
Sales from 2023–2025.
| Layout | Median used condo price | Typical size | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3LDK | ¥17.0M | 70 m² | 53 |
| 2LDK | ¥13.0M | 60 m² | 31 |
| 4LDK | ¥20.5M | 90 m² | 14 |
| 2DK | ¥6.3M | 40 m² | 12 |
How much does an apartment cost in Akita?
The median used condo (mansion) in Akita sold for ¥11.0M in 2025, about ¥176k/m², based on 52 recorded sales.
How much does a house cost in Akita?
The median house sale, including the land, was ¥9.5M in 2025 across 787 sales.
Are property prices in Akita going up?
Over the five years to 2025, condo prices per m² changed -17.7% and residential land prices changed +7.7%.
About this data
Figures are medians of real transactions reported to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) through its quarterly price survey. House prices per m² divide the total price (land and building) by the floor area. Medians based on fewer than 20 sales are not shown. The latest quarters are preliminary and are revised as more survey responses arrive.
Information only, not investment advice.