Why Buy a Showa-Era Danchi? Three Families Renovate 50-Year-Old Apartments Near Tokyo

In the first half of 2026, the average price of new condominiums in Tokyo's 23 wards reached 142.49 million yen, prompting some buyers to instead purchase and renovate aging "Showa-era" danchi apartments built around 50 years ago. One family bought a 66-square-meter unit in Yokohama's Tamapuraza Danchi, completed in 1968, after renting there for 7-8 years. They spent about 12 million yen renovating the 3LDK into a 2LDK, prioritizing the green view and preserving Showa-style tiles in the kitchen and bathroom. The couple valued the danchi's combination of nature and proximity to the station, which they found hard to achieve elsewhere. They also addressed known weaknesses like drafty windows and condensation by adding double-glazed inner windows and insulation, making the home quieter and more comfortable.