Surge in Service Apartment Demand During Expo 2025 in Osaka
As the countdown to Expo 2025 begins, the Osaka area is witnessing a dramatic increase in service apartment contracts, driven by the anticipated influx of visitors for the international event. According to Unito, a leading operator of furnished service apartments in Japan, the number of monthly contracts in April 2025 has skyrocketed by 750% compared to January 2025. This report sheds light on the evolving travel landscape in Osaka as it prepares to welcome millions of tourists.
Context: A Thriving Osaka
The Osaka-Kansai Expo, scheduled for April 13, 2025, has already recorded approximately 1.37 million attendees by April 26, and expectations are set for around 28 million visitors over the next six months. The increase in travel demand is a vital part of Osaka's efforts to establish itself as Asia's premier international tourism and cultural city, with goals to attract 15 million foreign visitors by 2025.
Unito, recognizing this growing need, conducted a comprehensive survey of its service apartment offerings in the Osaka area, emphasizing the vital role of accommodation in facilitating tourism.
Findings: Rapid Growth in Short- to Medium-Term Stays
The data showed that the contracts for monthly stays in service apartments surged in April 2025. This spike can be attributed to several factors:
- - International Event-triggered Stays: The Expo is creating novel accommodation needs, particularly for project-oriented visits that traditional hotels struggle to address.
- - Preference for Flexible Living: Service apartments provide fully furnished, high-comfort living environments, appealing to various travelers looking for flexible accommodation solutions that cater to longer stays.
The report details various user attributes:
- - Corporate Use: Companies are increasingly utilizing service apartments, with notable demand from international firms, especially from countries like Saudi Arabia and France, which have increased by 28 times since January.
- - Workation Trends: The number of users taking advantage of workation opportunities has grown 20-fold, highlighting a shift in work culture influenced by the introduction of Japan's digital nomad visa.
Insights from Stay Data
Data from the report indicate significant increases in both the average length of stay and the diversity of nationalities among guests:
- - In January 2025, average stays were around 68.3 days, expanding to 152.4 days by April 2025, nearly doubling in duration as more guests look for longer-term accommodations.
- - The national composition of residents has also diversified markedly, with contributions from 17 countries noted between January and April 2025, and a broader occupancy from 44 countries during the same period.
Unito’s Vision: Flexible Living Solutions
Since launching in February 2020, Unito has successfully integrated a flexible living model into its service apartments, combining rentals with stays to optimize occupancy throughout the year.
The innovative rent system, “Relent,” allows those living in Unito properties to adjust their rent based on the days they spend away, catering to the modern needs of travelers. As Unito continues to expand its footprint with 113 facilities and 845 rooms across the Tokyo and Kansai regions, it aims to sustain high occupancy rates through this adaptable living approach.
Looking Ahead
The current trends are promising indicators of the changing landscape of travel as the Expo nears. The blend of living and accommodation is appealing not just to tourists but also to local residents drawn by new living styles post-pandemic. Unito aims to enhance its offerings further, providing high-quality and convenient living services as the demand for service apartments continues to grow in conjunction with event tourism and the advent of new work cultures.
In conclusion, as Osaka prepares for the Expo 2025, the evolution of the service apartment sector reflects broader shifts in the way people travel and live, marking a new era of flexible, comfortable stays in urban settings.