“Living in the heart of Hong Kong had become an obligation—not a luxury.”

Said Mr. L, a Hong Kong-born entrepreneur (40s) who earns over ¥300 million annually.

As the head of multiple companies in the trade, logistics, and tech sectors, he made a surprising move in 2024: he purchased a luxury apartment in Tokyo’s Minato Ward.

Today, he is redefining Tokyo as his base for the future.

Why would some wealthy people like him turn attention to Tokyo real estate now?

The answer lies in the quality of life, which is unquantifiable. 

■ Living in Hong Kong felt like living in a box.

“In Central, I was living in a 50-square-meter high-rise flat, with ¥800,000 rental fee monthly. But there was no sense of peace.”

In Hong Kong, real estate prices are among the highest in the world. While property may hold value as an asset, its appeal as a place to actually live has been steadily declining.

Amid growing social and political tension, more wealthy individuals have begun seeking a quiet and secure base outside of Hong Kong.

“Tokyo can’t compete with Hong Kong in terms of numbers. I realized that only Tokyo has real estate that truly fulfills the heart. 

■ The Place I Truly Belong — Discovered in Tokyo’s Minato Ward

What he selected is a low-rise residence in Moto-Azabu, Minato Ward, with approximately 120 square meters.

Though located in central Tokyo, the neighborhood is a quiet residential area where hills and greenery blend harmoniously. It’s not a high-rise, but the quietness that feels rooted and real is what he valued.

“At night, it is unimageable not hearing the sound of cars. What I saw from the window wasn’t the lights of Roppongi, but the gentle sway of trees.”

For him, owning real estate in Tokyo was not just about property—it was a way to restore balance in a new chapter of life.

■ A New Definition of Living: Sharing Life with Family

“When my daughter turned three, I began to feel uneasy about the pace of education in Hong Kong. It was all about competition, with no room to nurture creativity or emotional development.”

After visiting international schools in Tokyo, Mr. L made his decision:

“Here, my child can grow up as herself.”

Education, water, food, healthcare, and a sense of security—To him, Tokyo is worth more than any investment — it’s a city where raising children is genuinely possible.

Today, he spends over four months a year in Japan, combining remote work and business travel with a Tokyo-based lifestyle that blends flexibility and quality of life.

■ “My home has become the place that reboots my energy.”

What surprised him most about living in Minato Ward was how calm he became.

• Taxis that arrive exactly on time.
• The respectful distance between strangers
• Perfectly organized shelves in convenience stores.
• Sidewalks with not a single piece of litter.
• Peaceful restaurants where conversations can flow uninterrupted

“Because everything was in order, I felt like I had more space inside myself to generate new ideas and soft emotions.”

The sense of calm and spaciousness is what Tokyo brought to him. 

■ A Property That Elevates Both Your Net Worth and Your Self-Worth

“If you regard Tokyo as an investment, it’s stable and relatively affordable. But that’s not enough. What matters to me now is whether it has meaning in my life.”

Mr. L explains that from now on, real estate is not just about asset, but rather a form of self-expression.

• Not just a place to live in, but about quality of life

• Not just location, but how you feel when you’re there

• Not just yield, but about inner richness

“Owning a home in Japan— to me, it’s an investment in realigning myself.”

■ Summary — The Real Reason Why Successful People Choose Tokyo

Why do wealthy individuals like Mr. L—who have already achieved remarkable success—choose real estate in Tokyo?

The answer lies in Tokyo’s ability to offer an environment that appeals to mature individuals: calmness, sincerity, and emotional richness.

Tokyo is selected by those who could own homes anywhere in the world.

This fact alone speaks more eloquently than anything else about the true appeal of Japanese real estate.