Understanding Sun Orientation in Osaka — And Why It Matters When Choosing a Home

In Japan — just like everywhere else — the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. But depending on Osaka’s urban layout and the orientation of your apartment, the quality, warmth, and timing of natural light can vary significantly.

Since natural light is one of the main criteria for many people when buying or renting a place, here is a simple breakdown of how orientation affects your daily life — especially in the Japanese real estate market.

🌤️ The Impact of Each Orientation

🌅 East-facing (東向き)

• Strong morning light
• Great for early risers
• Cooler in the afternoon — ideal for summer

🌞 South-facing (南向き)

• Brightest throughout the day
• Perfect for people who work from home or love sunny rooms
• Warmer in winter
• Most popular in Japan → higher rent and purchase price

🌇 West-facing (西向き)

• Soft morning light
• Warm afternoon and sunset glow
• Can get hot during summer evenings

🌤️ North-facing (北向き)

• Soft, indirect light all day
• No harsh direct sunlight
• Usually the most affordable option

🌗 Orientation Combinations Matter

Some apartments in Japan offer mixed orientations that combine the advantages of more than one direction. This can drastically improve the light quality even with identical floor plans.

☀️ South-East (南東向き)

• Morning sunlight
• Day-long brightness
• Comfortable balance of warmth and energy

Other useful combinations include:

• South-West — bright all day + beautiful sunsets
• North-East — gentle morning light, cooler overall

💴 How Orientation Affects Price in Japan

In the Japanese real estate market, orientation has a direct impact on pricing. South-facing properties (南向き) are the most desirable, leading to higher purchase prices and higher rent compared to other orientations.

• South-facing → highest price
• East-facing → moderate
• West-facing → similar to east but depends on building height & heat
• North-facing → generally the most affordable

🏠 My Personal Choice

My favorite is South-East (南東向き) — perfect bright mornings and good light throughout the day. It fits my lifestyle the best.

💬 Final Thoughts

These may seem like common-sense points, but they’re extremely useful to keep in mind before entering the Japanese real estate market.

What about you? Which orientation would you choose for your ideal home in Osaka?