H2 Christie’s International Real Estate, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, has announced its expansion into Tokyo, opening a new office in the Hibiya district as it seeks to capitalise on rising international demand for prime residential property in Japan’s capital.
The move comes three and a half years after the Christie’s International Real Estate brand was introduced in Japan. Headquartered in Hokkaido, the firm has built its reputation in luxury lifestyle markets such as Niseko and Furano, and is now extending its footprint into one of Asia’s most dynamic metropolitan property markets.
Located in Hibiya within Chiyoda, the new office will be staffed by a dedicated team of real estate professionals supported by a centrally based administrative team. The area, situated close to the Tokyo Imperial Palace, is widely regarded as one of Tokyo’s historic business districts, reinforcing the brand’s positioning in the premium segment of the residential market.
Expansion into Tokyo’s prime property market
Sunny Chen has been appointed Managing Director of the Tokyo office. With a professional background spanning real estate, private banking and asset management, Chen brings experience working with high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors in both domestic and international markets.
According to the company, the expansion reflects increasing global interest in Tokyo’s high-end residential sector. The Japanese capital, the centre of the world’s fifth-largest economy, has attracted growing attention from overseas buyers in recent years. A comparatively weaker yen against major currencies, including the US dollar, British pound and euro, has enhanced purchasing power for international investors from markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Europe and the United States.
“Tokyo is today one of the most compelling luxury real estate markets globally,” Chen said. “Clients increasingly value the level of service and marketing sophistication associated with the Christie’s International Real Estate brand. With a dedicated Tokyo team supported by our wider network, we are able to offer highly tailored partnerships that connect clients to global opportunities.”
Building on Hokkaido’s luxury real estate success
The firm was founded by Simon Robinson and Michael Chen, who together bring more than two decades of experience in Japan’s resort property sector. Drawing on their work in Niseko and Furano, the pair established the H2 Group five years ago and developed a portfolio focused on luxury lifestyle real estate in Hokkaido.
Their expansion gained momentum in 2022 after joining the Christie’s International Real Estate network, allowing the company to leverage the brand’s global marketing platform and international client base. The Tokyo office marks the next phase of that strategy, applying the firm’s experience in resort-driven luxury markets to the capital’s increasingly international residential sector.
“Tokyo represents a strategic opportunity for us,” said Michael Chen, co-founder of H2 Christie’s International Real Estate. “By combining our personalised service model with the global reach of Christie’s International Real Estate, we aim to enhance property visibility, connect clients with a broader luxury ecosystem and elevate the market positioning of prime residential assets.”
As an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, the firm’s clients and agents gain access to global marketing exposure for luxury properties as well as partnerships linked to Christie’s, the historic auction house known for fine art and high-value collectibles. In recent years, the Christie’s International Real Estate network has expanded its presence across the Asia-Pacific region, opening new offices in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand as part of a broader regional growth strategy.