Chuson-ji, Hiraizumi, Iwate
Photo: Chuson-ji, Hiraizumi, Iwate · Shino Nakamura / Unsplash

Kuji City Housing Market Report 2026

Data updated 2026-11-11 · Source: MLIT transaction price survey, 2005 Q3–2026 Q2 · Transactions in 2025: 39

In short

  1. 1
    Sales are thinning out

    Transactions are down about 55% on the previous three years.

  2. 2
    A shrinking population

    The population fell 10.3% between 2020 and 2025 (−7% for the wider area).

  3. 3
    Many abandoned homes

    21.3% of homes were empty in 2023 (17.3% for the wider area), and 14.1% were empty without being for rent, for sale or used as second homes.

  4. 4
    Moderate earthquake risk

    The government's seismic model gives a 49% chance of shaking of intensity 6-lower or stronger in the next 30 years (12% for the wider area).

The answers, compared

Are prices rising?

-4.3%

over 5 years

Faster than Iwate (-22.3%)

4 of 8 areas in Iwate, highest first

Are people moving in?

-10.3%

population, 2020–25

Shrinking faster than Iwate (-7.0%)

9 of 10 areas in Iwate, highest first

How risky is it?

49%

chance of strong shaking (6-lower+) in 30 years

Higher than Iwate (12%)

2 of 10 areas in Iwate, highest first

Key figures for 2025

Residential land per m² (sales)
¥11k/m²
-4.3% over 5 years
Transactions in 2025
39

Rent in Kuji City

The average private rental costs ¥39k a month (2023), +1.8% since 2018. Iwate: ¥49k

Floor areaAverage rent / month
30–49 m²
1LDK / 2DK
¥36k
vs 2018 -7.3% · Iwate: ¥48k
50–69 m²
2LDK / 3DK
¥44k
vs 2018 +6.0% · Iwate: ¥57k
Rent per m²
¥756
median, per month · Iwate: ¥1,223

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. 2,400 rented homes.

What the data says

Sales are thinning out

Transactions are down about 55% on the previous three years. Fewer sales mean less choice and slower resale, so allow more time to sell later.

A shrinking population

The population fell 10.3% between 2020 and 2025 (−7% for the wider area). More people moved out than in during 2025 (about 7.8 per 1,000 residents), which weakens long-term housing demand.

Many abandoned homes

21.3% of homes were empty in 2023 (17.3% for the wider area), and 14.1% were empty without being for rent, for sale or used as second homes. That is a high share of truly abandoned homes (akiya), a sign of weak demand. Cheap houses are easy to find, but resale can be slow.

Moderate earthquake risk

The government's seismic model gives a 49% chance of shaking of intensity 6-lower or stronger in the next 30 years (12% for the wider area). Post-1981 buildings are designed for this level of shaking, but check ground conditions and insurance.

Local incomes are close to average

Taxpayers here reported an average taxable income of ¥3.0m in 2023 (¥3.1m for the wider area). That is +14% since 2014. Averages are pulled up by a few very high earners, so a typical household earns less than this.

Official land prices are still falling

On the government's fixed benchmark sites, which are valued the same way every year, residential land prices changed -3% in the year to January 2026 and -12% over five years. Because these sites don't change, this is the cleanest measure of land value trends.

Living in Kuji City: people, homes and risks

Population 2025
29,645
-10.3% since 2020
Iwate: -7.0%
Net moves in 2025
-232
-7.83 per 1,000 residents
Iwate: -3.52
Vacant homes (2023)
21.3%
14.1% empty and not for rent or sale
Iwate: 17.3%
Median rent (2023)
¥35k
per month, all rented homes
Iwate: ¥46k
Strong earthquake risk
49.3%
chance of shaking of intensity 6-lower or more within 30 years
Iwate: 12.3%
Average income per taxpayer
¥3.0M
taxable income in 2023
Iwate: ¥3.1M
Daytime population
103
people here by day per 100 residents (2020 census)
Foreign residents
1.4%
423 registered residents in 2024
Iwate: 1.0%
Clinics
7.1
per 10,000 residents; 3 hospitals, 13 dental clinics (2020)
Iwate: 7.9
Official land price 2026
¥19k/m²
-2.8% in a year · -11.6% in 5 years
Iwate: ¥30k/m²
Flood exposure
100.0%
of 4 benchmark sites in a worst-case flood zone (75.0% 3 m or deeper)
Iwate: 38.2%
Tsunami exposure
100.0%
of 4 benchmark sites in a tsunami inundation zone
Iwate: 10.7%
Landslide exposure
25.0%
of 4 benchmark sites in a landslide warning area
Iwate: 5.1%

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 Kuji 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.

House

Lower-priced2025 Q3

¥3.3M

¥29k/m²

  • Osanaicho
  • Kuji(Iwate) · 12 min walk
  • Land 120 m² · floor 115 m²
  • Built 1975 (50 yrs) · Wood
Typical2026 Q1

¥8.3M

¥72k/m²

  • Aramachi
  • Kuji(Iwate) · 13 min walk
  • Land 230 m² · floor 115 m²
  • Built 1978 (48 yrs) · Wood
Higher-priced2025 Q3

¥11.0M

¥56k/m²

  • Niida
  • Kuji(Iwate) · 19 min walk
  • Land 260 m² · floor 195 m²
  • Built 2000 (25 yrs) · Wood
Median transaction price by year
¥0¥5.0M¥10.0M¥15.0M200820102012201420162018202020222024
Show data table
YearHouse
2008¥9.2M
2009–
2010–
2012¥5.0M
2013–
2014¥9.1M
2015¥7.8M
2016¥6.8M
2017¥5.6M
2018–
2019–
2020¥7.0M
2021¥6.0M
2022¥11.0M
2023¥5.0M
2024¥7.7M
2025–
Median price per m² by year
¥0¥50k¥100k200820102012201420162018202020222024
Show data table
YearHouseLand
2008¥65k/m²¥13k/m²
2009–¥15k/m²
2010–¥21k/m²
2012¥33k/m²¥14k/m²
2013–¥18k/m²
2014¥89k/m²¥16k/m²
2015¥62k/m²¥14k/m²
2016¥43k/m²¥16k/m²
2017¥45k/m²¥16k/m²
2018–¥14k/m²
2019–¥14k/m²
2020¥39k/m²¥12k/m²
2021¥40k/m²¥12k/m²
2022¥41k/m²¥11k/m²
2023¥42k/m²¥10k/m²
2024¥52k/m²–
2025–¥11k/m²

Prices near train stations in Kuji City

Sales from 2023–2025, grouped by nearest station.

StationMedian used condo priceCondo price per m²Median house price (land + building)Walk (min)SalesDaily passengers (2023)
Kuji(Iwate) (久慈)––¥7.0M1457795-24% vs 2019

Are property prices in Kuji City going up?

Over the five years to 2025, residential land prices changed -4.3%.

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.