Chuo Ward (Kobe) Housing Market 2026: Sannomiya's Rebirth
Data updated 2026-11-11 · Source: MLIT transaction price survey, 2005 Q3–2026 Q2 · Transactions in 2025: 619
In short
- 1Prices are accelerating
Chuo Ward covers Sannomiya, Motomachi, Kitano and the port.
- 2Kobe's growing ward
Population grew 3.1% between 2020 and 2025, the most of Kobe's wards, while Hyogo shrank 2.6%.
- 3Studios near Sannomiya
Half of condo sales are studios; the 20 m² 1K at about ¥17M is the most traded home, and 75 m² 3LDKs at about ¥43M come second.
- 4Good yields, low land prices
A median condo costs about 28 years of median rent, better than the Hyogo average.
- 5Risks and renewal
Earthquake probability is about 48% for 6-lower in 30 years.
The answers, compared
What does a home cost?
¥21.0M
median used condo · ¥800k/m²
2.0× the Hyogo median
2 of 19 areas in Hyogo, highest first
Are prices rising?
+42.9%
over 5 years
Faster than Hyogo (+30.0%)
4 of 38 areas in Hyogo, highest first
Can local earners afford it?
5.0× income
median price ÷ average taxable income
Easier than Hyogo (5.5×)
11 of 41 areas in Hyogo, highest first
Rent or buy?
28years of rent
median price ÷ a year of median rent
Shorter than Hyogo (32)
14 of 40 areas in Hyogo, highest first
Are people moving in?
+3.1%
population, 2020–25
Growing while Hyogo shrinks (-2.6%)
1 of 41 areas in Hyogo, highest first
How risky is it?
48%
chance of strong shaking (6-lower+) in 30 years
Higher than Hyogo (33%)
10 of 41 areas in Hyogo, highest first
Rent in Chuo Ward, Kobe City
The average private rental costs ¥73k a month (2023), +0.7% since 2018. Hyogo: ¥65k
| Floor area | Typical layout | Average rent / month | Chuo Ward, Kobe CityHyogo |
|---|---|---|---|
| under 30 m² studio / 1K | studio / 1K | ¥57k vs 2018 -0.6% · Hyogo: ¥50k | |
| 30–49 m² 1LDK / 2DK | 1LDK / 2DK | ¥76k vs 2018 +8.9% · Hyogo: ¥62k | |
| 50–69 m² 2LDK / 3DK | 2LDK / 3DK | ¥91k vs 2018 -2.0% · Hyogo: ¥75k | |
| 70–99 m² 3LDK / family | 3LDK / family | ¥132k vs 2018 +3.8% · Hyogo: ¥89k | |
| 100–149 m² mostly houses | mostly houses | ¥123k vs 2018 -1.6% · Hyogo: ¥91k |
- Rent per m²
- ¥2,277
- median, per month · Hyogo: ¥1,586
- The median used condo (¥21.0M, 35 m²) costs about 23 years of average rent for a similar-sized home (¥76k 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. 39,410 rented homes.
Prices are accelerating
Chuo Ward covers Sannomiya, Motomachi, Kitano and the port. Condo prices per m² rose about 7.4% a year over the past five years, almost twice the pace of the five years before. Condos now cost about ¥0.80M per m², nearly double the Hyogo average (1.9 times, up from 1.7 times ten years ago) and second among Kobe's 9 wards. The median condo sold for about ¥21M.
Kobe's growing ward
Population grew 3.1% between 2020 and 2025, the most of Kobe's wards, while Hyogo shrank 2.6%. Households grew 7%, and more people moved in from the rest of Japan than left. Sales rose 14% in 2025.
Studios near Sannomiya
Half of condo sales are studios; the 20 m² 1K at about ¥17M is the most traded home, and 75 m² 3LDKs at about ¥43M come second. Sannomiya is by far the busiest station. Prices are similar across most stations (about ¥0.7–0.8M per m²), and distance to a station makes little difference in this compact ward. Condos lose value fast after about 20 years.
Good yields, low land prices
A median condo costs about 28 years of median rent, better than the Hyogo average. Benchmark residential land is still about two-thirds below its 1991 level, a large gap, partly because of the long recovery after the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake.
Risks and renewal
Earthquake probability is about 48% for 6-lower in 30 years. About a quarter of benchmark sites are in a shallow flood zone, and about 13% on the steep Rokko slopes are in landslide zones. Two renewal areas, Sannomiya–Waterfront and Port Island West, are reshaping the ward, with Sannomiya Station being rebuilt.
Living in Chuo Ward, Kobe City: people, homes and risks
- Population 2025
- 152,124
- +3.1% since 2020
- Hyogo: -2.6%
- Net moves in 2025
- +464
- +3.05 per 1,000 residents
- Hyogo: -0.39
- Vacant homes (2023)
- 13.3%
- 3.8% empty and not for rent or sale
- Hyogo: 13.8%
- Median rent (2023)
- ¥62k
- per month, all rented homes
- Hyogo: ¥57k
- Strong earthquake risk
- 48.0%
- chance of shaking of intensity 6-lower or more within 30 years
- Hyogo: 33.0%
- Average income per taxpayer
- ¥4.2M
- taxable income in 2023, citywide figure
- Hyogo: ¥4.0M
- Daytime population
- 193
- people here by day per 100 residents (2020 census)
- Foreign residents
- 10.8%
- 15,125 registered residents in 2024
- Hyogo: 2.6%
- Clinics
- 21.8
- per 10,000 residents; 24 hospitals, 175 dental clinics (2020)
- Hyogo: 10.1
- Official land price 2026
- ¥348k/m²
- +4.5% in a year · +16.7% in 5 years
- Hyogo: ¥102k/m²
- Flood exposure
- 26.3%
- of 38 benchmark sites in a worst-case flood zone (0.0% 3 m or deeper)
- Hyogo: 46.1%
- Landslide exposure
- 13.2%
- of 38 benchmark sites in a landslide warning area
- Hyogo: 4.3%
Urban renewal zones
Areas designated by the national government for priority redevelopment, with relaxed planning rules and financial support for large projects.
- Port Island West, Kobe · 273 ha · designated 2002
- Central Kobe and Waterfront (Sannomiya) · 215 ha · designated 2002 · Specified zone (highest priority)
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 Chuo Ward, Kobe City
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
¥17.0M
¥680k/m²
- Asahidoori
- Sannomiya(JR) · 7 min walk
- 1K · 25 m²
- Built 2010 (16 yrs) · RC
¥22.0M
¥629k/m²
- Hamabedoori
- Sannomiya(JR) · 10 min walk
- 1DK · 35 m²
- Built 1998 (28 yrs) · SRC
¥50.0M
¥667k/m²
- Isobedoori
- Sannomiya(JR) · 9 min walk
- 3LDK · 75 m²
- Built 2005 (21 yrs) · SRC
House
¥22.0M
¥367k/m²
- Dainichidoori
- Nada · 5 min walk
- Land 45 m² · floor 60 m²
- Built 2015 (10 yrs) · Wood
¥60.0M
¥387k/m²
- Nunobikicho
- Sannomiya(JR) · 4 min walk
- Land 35 m² · floor 155 m²
- Built 1976 (50 yrs) · Steel
¥160M
¥552k/m²
- Nakayamatedoori
- Sannomiya(JR) · 5 min walk
- Land 60 m² · floor 290 m²
- Built 2005 (21 yrs) · Steel
Show data table
| Year | Condo | House |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | ¥17.0M | ¥42.0M |
| 2007 | ¥17.0M | ¥37.0M |
| 2008 | ¥17.0M | ¥53.5M |
| 2009 | ¥19.0M | ¥35.0M |
| 2010 | ¥18.0M | ¥40.0M |
| 2011 | ¥17.0M | ¥39.0M |
| 2012 | ¥17.0M | ¥36.0M |
| 2013 | ¥18.0M | ¥40.0M |
| 2014 | ¥15.5M | ¥43.0M |
| 2015 | ¥14.0M | ¥40.0M |
| 2016 | ¥14.0M | ¥34.0M |
| 2017 | ¥18.0M | ¥47.0M |
| 2018 | ¥18.0M | ¥40.5M |
| 2019 | ¥17.0M | ¥37.0M |
| 2020 | ¥20.0M | ¥38.0M |
| 2021 | ¥21.0M | ¥42.0M |
| 2022 | ¥20.0M | ¥49.0M |
| 2023 | ¥19.0M | ¥53.0M |
| 2024 | ¥23.0M | ¥53.0M |
| 2025 | ¥21.0M | ¥58.5M |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥26.0M | ¥73.0M |
Show data table
| Year | Condo | House | Land |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | ¥308k/m² | ¥267k/m² | ¥250k/m² |
| 2007 | ¥364k/m² | ¥276k/m² | ¥270k/m² |
| 2008 | ¥327k/m² | ¥291k/m² | ¥245k/m² |
| 2009 | ¥359k/m² | ¥267k/m² | ¥250k/m² |
| 2010 | ¥365k/m² | ¥217k/m² | ¥230k/m² |
| 2011 | ¥385k/m² | ¥250k/m² | ¥250k/m² |
| 2012 | ¥394k/m² | ¥233k/m² | ¥290k/m² |
| 2013 | ¥400k/m² | ¥236k/m² | ¥250k/m² |
| 2014 | ¥463k/m² | ¥274k/m² | ¥280k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥417k/m² | ¥260k/m² | ¥270k/m² |
| 2016 | ¥500k/m² | ¥295k/m² | ¥200k/m² |
| 2017 | ¥483k/m² | ¥249k/m² | ¥250k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥523k/m² | ¥318k/m² | ¥275k/m² |
| 2019 | ¥507k/m² | ¥316k/m² | – |
| 2020 | ¥560k/m² | ¥340k/m² | ¥280k/m² |
| 2021 | ¥600k/m² | ¥333k/m² | ¥355k/m² |
| 2022 | ¥650k/m² | ¥300k/m² | ¥350k/m² |
| 2023 | ¥720k/m² | ¥389k/m² | ¥400k/m² |
| 2024 | ¥725k/m² | ¥360k/m² | ¥550k/m² |
| 2025 | ¥800k/m² | ¥377k/m² | ¥430k/m² |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥808k/m² | ¥359k/m² | – |
Show data table
| Building age (years) | Condo | House |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ¥900k/m² | ¥490k/m² |
| 1 | ¥1.0M/m² | ¥533k/m² |
| 2 | ¥900k/m² | – |
| 3 | ¥900k/m² | – |
| 4 | ¥865k/m² | – |
| 5 | ¥850k/m² | – |
| 6 | ¥763k/m² | – |
| 7 | ¥814k/m² | – |
| 8 | ¥838k/m² | – |
| 9 | ¥840k/m² | – |
| 10 | ¥850k/m² | – |
| 11 | ¥873k/m² | – |
| 12 | ¥800k/m² | – |
| 13 | ¥750k/m² | – |
| 14 | ¥749k/m² | – |
| 15 | ¥720k/m² | – |
| 16 | ¥700k/m² | – |
| 17 | ¥680k/m² | – |
| 18 | ¥654k/m² | – |
| 19 | ¥680k/m² | – |
| 20 | ¥650k/m² | – |
| 21 | ¥628k/m² | – |
| 22 | ¥591k/m² | – |
| 23 | ¥582k/m² | – |
| 24 | ¥560k/m² | – |
| 25 | ¥528k/m² | ¥283k/m² |
| 26 | ¥511k/m² | – |
| 27 | ¥449k/m² | – |
| 28 | ¥484k/m² | ¥284k/m² |
| 29 | ¥400k/m² | ¥291k/m² |
| 32 | ¥320k/m² | – |
| 33 | ¥307k/m² | – |
| 34 | ¥320k/m² | – |
| 35 | ¥280k/m² | – |
| 36 | ¥328k/m² | – |
| 37 | ¥335k/m² | – |
| 38 | ¥309k/m² | – |
| 39 | ¥273k/m² | – |
| 40 | ¥222k/m² | – |
| 41 | ¥293k/m² | – |
| 42 | ¥238k/m² | – |
| 43 | ¥250k/m² | – |
| 44 | ¥292k/m² | ¥207k/m² |
| 50 | – | ¥206k/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 | 2011-2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | ¥267k/m² | ¥720k/m² | – |
| 2007 | ¥283k/m² | ¥640k/m² | – |
| 2008 | ¥240k/m² | ¥475k/m² | – |
| 2009 | ¥236k/m² | ¥565k/m² | – |
| 2010 | ¥217k/m² | ¥550k/m² | – |
| 2011 | ¥264k/m² | ¥476k/m² | – |
| 2012 | ¥267k/m² | ¥440k/m² | ¥845k/m² |
| 2013 | ¥300k/m² | ¥440k/m² | ¥800k/m² |
| 2014 | ¥320k/m² | ¥486k/m² | ¥760k/m² |
| 2015 | ¥283k/m² | ¥480k/m² | ¥809k/m² |
| 2016 | ¥339k/m² | ¥520k/m² | ¥733k/m² |
| 2017 | ¥350k/m² | ¥550k/m² | ¥725k/m² |
| 2018 | ¥323k/m² | ¥580k/m² | ¥672k/m² |
| 2019 | ¥333k/m² | ¥576k/m² | ¥709k/m² |
| 2020 | ¥332k/m² | ¥632k/m² | ¥720k/m² |
| 2021 | ¥375k/m² | ¥600k/m² | ¥727k/m² |
| 2022 | ¥400k/m² | ¥650k/m² | ¥765k/m² |
| 2023 | ¥378k/m² | ¥680k/m² | ¥825k/m² |
| 2024 | ¥400k/m² | ¥700k/m² | ¥850k/m² |
| 2025 | ¥438k/m² | ¥733k/m² | ¥900k/m² |
| 2026 (partial) | ¥495k/m² | ¥800k/m² | ¥890k/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 | 2011-2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | – | ¥238k/m² | – |
| 2007 | – | ¥257k/m² | – |
| 2008 | – | ¥280k/m² | – |
| 2009 | – | ¥274k/m² | – |
| 2010 | ¥135k/m² | ¥282k/m² | – |
| 2011 | – | ¥209k/m² | ¥357k/m² |
| 2012 | – | ¥209k/m² | – |
| 2013 | – | ¥212k/m² | – |
| 2014 | – | ¥245k/m² | – |
| 2015 | – | ¥244k/m² | – |
| 2016 | – | ¥356k/m² | – |
| 2017 | – | ¥235k/m² | – |
| 2018 | – | ¥245k/m² | ¥433k/m² |
| 2019 | – | – | ¥430k/m² |
| 2020 | – | – | ¥415k/m² |
| 2022 | – | ¥300k/m² | – |
| 2023 | – | ¥259k/m² | – |
| 2024 | – | ¥317k/m² | – |
| 2025 | – | ¥290k/m² | – |
Prices near train stations in Chuo Ward, Kobe City
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 | Daily passengers (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sannomiya(JR) (三ノ宮(ＪＲ)) | ¥25.0M | ¥818k/m² | ¥140M | 9 | 469 | 231,870-7% vs 2019 |
| Kasuganomichi(Hankyu) (春日野道(阪急)) | ¥18.0M | ¥760k/m² | ¥45.0M | 5 | 196 | 24,553-8% vs 2019 |
| Shin Kobe (新神戸) | ¥20.5M | ¥686k/m² | ¥46.0M | 4 | 194 | 42,820-35% vs 2019 |
| Nishi Motomachi (西元町) | ¥22.0M | ¥750k/m² | ¥77.0M | 2 | 124 | 4,634+4% vs 2019 |
| Kenchomae(Hyogo) (県庁前(兵庫)) | ¥38.0M | ¥724k/m² | ¥40.0M | 6 | 120 | 11,192-1% vs 2019 |
| Hanakuma (花隈) | ¥18.0M | ¥720k/m² | ¥55.5M | 3 | 115 | 6,687-6% vs 2019 |
| Kobe(Hyogo) (神戸(兵庫)) | ¥22.0M | ¥760k/m² | – | 5 | 105 | 103,098-29% vs 2019 |
| Kasuganomichi(Hanshin) (春日野道(阪神)) | ¥18.0M | ¥673k/m² | – | 3 | 102 | 24,553-8% vs 2019 |
| Motomachi(JR) (元町(ＪＲ)) | ¥35.0M | ¥775k/m² | ¥135M | 5 | 102 | 89,808-11% vs 2019 |
| Okurayama(Hyogo) (大倉山(兵庫)) | ¥17.0M | ¥850k/m² | ¥22.0M | 5 | 50 | 11,422-2% vs 2019 |
| Kosoku Kobe (高速神戸) | ¥20.0M | ¥840k/m² | – | 3 | 48 | 25,567-5% vs 2019 |
| Minatojima (みなとじま) | ¥17.0M | ¥215k/m² | – | 4 | 35 | 14,037-13% vs 2019 |
| Naka Koen (中公園) | ¥16.0M | ¥229k/m² | – | 4 | 24 | 7,566-8% vs 2019 |
| Nada (灘) | ¥20.0M | ¥900k/m² | – | 6 | 23 | 30,920-25% vs 2019 |
| Oji Koen (王子公園) | – | – | ¥52.0M | 13 | 15 | 15,411-14% vs 2019 |
Used condo prices by layout in Chuo Ward, Kobe City
Sales from 2023–2025.
| Layout | Median used condo price | Typical size | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1K | ¥17.0M | 20 m² | 506 |
| 3LDK | ¥43.5M | 75 m² | 228 |
| 2LDK | ¥42.0M | 60 m² | 170 |
| 1LDK | ¥31.5M | 45 m² | 108 |
| 1DK | ¥20.0M | 27.5 m² | 72 |
| 4LDK | ¥42.0M | 90 m² | 29 |
| 2DK | ¥18.0M | 50 m² | 19 |
| Open floor | ¥8.0M | 25 m² | 11 |
How much does an apartment cost in Chuo Ward, Kobe City?
The median used condo (mansion) in Chuo Ward, Kobe City sold for ¥21.0M in 2025, about ¥800k/m², based on 505 recorded sales.
How much does a house cost in Chuo Ward, Kobe City?
The median house sale, including the land, was ¥58.5M in 2025 across 92 sales.
Are property prices in Chuo Ward, Kobe City going up?
Over the five years to 2025, condo prices per m² changed +42.9% and residential land prices changed +53.6%.
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.