Do You Care About Sunlight in Your Home? [Survey Results Revealed]

Philia Corporation (Head Office: Itabashi-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Naoyuki Koshikawa) conducted a survey targeting 500 men and women across Japan on the topic of whether people care about sunlight in their homes. The survey was carried out through their website supporting the revitalization of problematic real estate.

Full details are published in a column ▶ https://philia-co.com/media/other/question-hiatari/

"Sunlight exposure" is one of the key factors many people consider important when searching for a comfortable home or managing daily life. Whether purchasing or renting a new home, or evaluating the value of an inherited family home, the quality of sunlight is a significant factor.

This time, we conducted an "awareness survey on sunlight in homes" targeting 500 men and women nationwide. We will thoroughly explain the genuine opinions revealed by the survey, along with expert insights from real estate professionals on how sunlight affects property value and what countermeasures can be taken.

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[Survey Overview]

Target: Men and women across Japan

Survey Period: May 20–21, 2026

Survey Organization: In-house survey

Method: Internet-based voluntary responses

Valid Responses: 500 (256 women / 244 men)

[Survey Summary]

・84.3% of respondents care about sunlight in their homes

・Top reason: "Want to wake up naturally to morning sunlight" (31.4%)

・Good sunlight affects not just room brightness, but also impacts "health," "household chores," "economics," and "comfort"

Do you care about sunlight in your home?

Do you care about sunlight in your home?

The survey results showed that 45.5% answered "yes, I care," and 38.8% answered "somewhat care," meaning 84.3% of all respondents prioritize sunlight.

On the other hand, those who answered "do not care" (3.0%) and "somewhat do not care" (13.0%) totaled only 16.0%, highlighting that for most people, good sunlight is either a must-have condition or a highly important factor in choosing a home.

Reasons for Caring About Sunlight

Why do so many people care about sunlight?

We delve into the top five reasons identified in the survey and provide expert insights on each.

1st: Want to wake up naturally to morning sunlight (31.4%)

The top reason was related to circadian rhythms and mental/physical well-being, such as "It's hard to wake up in a dark room" or "I want to start the day refreshed by bathing in sunlight as soon as I wake up."

[Expert Insight] East- or south-facing rooms that receive morning sunlight are consistently popular in both rental and sales markets. Properties with east- or south-facing windows and layouts that help regulate daily life rhythms serve as strong selling points. Scheduling viewings (inspections) from morning to midday allows potential buyers or tenants to fully experience the property's potential, a key rule for securing early contracts.

2nd: Want to dry laundry under the sun (27.4%)

Many responses cited household convenience, such as "Laundry doesn't dry well if the balcony or terrace doesn't get sunlight" or "I'm concerned about musty odors from indoor drying, so I prefer outdoor drying under sunlight."

[Expert Insight] South-facing balconies or gardens that receive ample sunlight during the day are highly attractive features for family-oriented households prioritizing household efficiency. Conversely, north-facing properties or those blocked from direct sunlight by surrounding tall buildings may struggle in the general brokerage market due to difficulties in drying laundry and increased humidity.

3rd: Want to save on winter heating costs (18.1%)

Economic reasons ranked third: "Rooms with sunlight remain warm even in winter" and "If sunlight is poor, I have to keep the heating on high from daytime, increasing electricity and gas bills."

[Expert Insight] Sunlight directly impacts a building's "energy efficiency" and "operating costs." South-facing rooms, in particular, benefit from lower winter sun angles, allowing sunlight to penetrate deep into the room and providing natural heating (solar heat gain).

4th: Want the room to feel spacious and open (14.3%)

Respondents expressed a desire for spatial comfort: "Even with the same floor area, a bright room with sunlight feels larger" and "Sunlight creates depth indoors and reduces feelings of confinement."

[Expert Insight] Visual brightness greatly influences first impressions of a room. Well-lit spaces make viewers feel "comfortable" and "want to live here" during inspections, increasing property liquidity. It's important to tailor presentation methods to each property's unique characteristics.

5th: Want to live without turning on lights during the day (8.8%)

Comments included: "It feels gloomy to spend daytime with curtains closed or lights on" and "I'd love a room where I can read or work using only natural light."

[Expert Insight] Properties with sufficient daylight to eliminate the need for artificial lighting during the day tend to maintain higher asset value. In particular, mid-to-high floor condominiums or single-family homes with south-facing roads ("south-facing road properties") are less likely to have sunlight blocked in the future, making them more valuable.

Summary of the Survey on "Do You Care About Sunlight in Your Home?"

Sunlight is a top priority in home selection: 84.3% of respondents answered "care" or "somewhat care" about sunlight in their homes. For most people, good sunlight is a non-negotiable condition.

Background of sunlight's importance: The top reason is "want to wake up naturally to morning sunlight" (31.4%), followed by "want to dry laundry under the sun" (27.4%), directly linked to maintaining healthy routines and household convenience. Economic reasons like saving on winter heating costs were also prominent.

Sunlight directly impacts real estate "asset value": East- or south-facing properties, mid-to-high floor units, and south-road single-family homes attract more buyers and tend to retain higher asset value.

Sunlight is a crucial factor in housing. If you're currently worried about poor sunlight in your family home or vacant property you own—concerned about future maintenance and management, or fearing the dark room won't attract buyers—it's essential to first accurately assess the current condition of the property. Consult a professional with specialized knowledge about sunlight limitations and physical challenges.