According to a recent announcement by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan, Saga Prefecture has experienced a remarkable surge in land prices, particularly in industrial areas, achieving a year-on-year increase of 12.4%. This significant rise marks Saga as the top region in Japan for the increase in industrial land prices for the first time in two years. The commercial area near Saga Station has also seen significant growth, ranking first in the Kyushu region, highlighting an overall upward trend in land prices across the prefecture.

The land price assessments are based on figures from January 1st, covering a total of 134 locations across 10 cities and 6 towns within Saga. Among the 130 locations with comparable data from the previous year, 86 reported price increases while 21 experienced declines. Notably, the highest residential land price recorded in Saga City was in Hyogo North 5-chome at ¥95,300 per square meter, reflecting a 7.1% increase. Meanwhile, the area in Jonai 1-chome topped the list with a 9.8% increase at ¥90,700, indicating strong demand in urban residential locations.

Moreover, while Saga City dominates the highest land prices, Kiyama Town recorded the highest average increase of 6.4%, surpassing Saga City by 1.8 percentage points. The proximity of Kiyama to Fukuoka City, especially with commute times as short as 22 minutes, is driving interest from those looking to settle in more affordable areas. Real estate appraiser Masatoshi Kiyohara noted that rising land prices in Fukuoka have pushed buyers to seek properties in Kiyama, illustrating a shift in housing demand patterns toward outlying areas that offer more accessible options for young families and new residents in search of a balanced lifestyle.