In Shibuya-ku's exclusive Nishihara neighborhood, this freehold residence offers something nearly impossible to find in central Tokyo: a complete house with land. Priced at $11.1 million, the property sits on 397.68 square meters of Category 1 exclusively low rise residential zoned land with 692.30 square meters (7,448 square feet) of living space. Built in September 2009 with reinforced concrete construction across three stories above ground and one below, the eight bedroom, one and a half bathroom home sits just a five minute walk from Yoyogi Uehara station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. This is rare real estate: actual land ownership in one of Tokyo's most desirable residential neighborhoods, protected by strict zoning that prevents high rise development and preserves the area's quiet, low density character.

The Category 1 zoning designation is crucial to understanding this property's value. This is Tokyo's most restrictive residential zoning category, limiting building heights, commercial activity, and density to maintain neighborhood tranquility. Properties in these zones trade at significant premiums because the zoning protections ensure your surroundings won't change dramatically, a rare guarantee in constantly rebuilding Tokyo. Nishihara sits in one of Shibuya's most established residential pockets, where diplomats, business leaders, and wealthy families have maintained homes for generations. The tree lined streets and genuine neighborhood feel create an atmosphere completely different from the intensity of nearby Shibuya crossing and Harajuku.

Access to central Tokyo is excellent despite the residential setting. Yoyogi Uehara station connects you to the Chiyoda Line, which runs directly to major business and shopping districts. You're minutes from Shibuya, Omotesando, and Shinjuku, yet the neighborhood itself offers local shops, cafes, and schools that create daily life convenience. The building coverage ratio of 60% and floor area ratio of 150% provide room for potential expansion or rebuilding in the future, adding long term flexibility. For families or anyone seeking space and privacy in central Tokyo, freehold houses like this represent the ultimate luxury.

Tokyo's freehold house market in central wards reveals fascinating dynamics about Japanese real estate and wealth preservation strategies. Only approximately 2.8% of properties in Shibuya-ku are detached houses with freehold land, making them exceptionally rare compared to the dominant condominium market. Category 1 exclusively low rise residential zones cover less than 4% of Tokyo's 23 special wards but command the highest per square meter land values for residential property, currently averaging $18,500 per square meter in prime locations. Japanese inheritance tax reaches 55% for estates over 600 million yen (approximately $4 million), creating incentives for wealthy families to hold real estate long term rather than liquidate, which further constrains supply of premium freehold houses. Interestingly, the 2009 construction date positions this property perfectly in Tokyo's market: new enough to meet current earthquake standards and energy codes, old enough to have passed the steepest depreciation curve that affects Japanese buildings in their first five years. Houses with land in these protected zones have shown remarkable value stability, appreciating by about 67% since 2013 while providing the flexibility to rebuild to current tastes, a key consideration in Japan where building lifespans are culturally shorter than in Western markets.