Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Foreigners can legally purchase and own property in Japan without being a resident or having a visa. Ownership rights are generally the same as those of Japanese citizens.

No. Residency is not required. You can purchase, own, and later sell property while living abroad.

Yes. Many purchases can be completed remotely with the assistance of a trusted bilingual partner agency. Depending on the property and circumstances, certain documents may require notarization or additional verification.

Absolutely. Many of our subscribers purchase homes as vacation properties, future retirement homes, or investment properties while continuing to live overseas.

Some Japanese banks offer mortgages to foreign buyers, but eligibility depends on factors such as residency status, income, and financial profile.

Many international buyers purchase properties using cash, although financing options may be available through specialized lenders.

Annual costs vary depending on the property but may include:

• Fixed Asset Tax
• City Planning Tax, where applicable
• Utilities
• Property management fees, if applicable
• Maintenance costs
• Home insurance, optional but recommended

Certain managed villa properties may also include annual management fees or land lease fees.

In addition to the purchase price, buyers should expect acquisition costs such as registration fees, judicial scrivener fees, agency commissions, taxes, and other administrative expenses. These costs typically add around 8 to 12 percent on top of the purchase price.

As for annual property taxes, they are generally based on the government's assessed value of the property rather than its market value. In most cases, annual property taxes range between 1.4 percent and 2.1 percent of the assessed value. In rural areas especially, this often results in relatively modest yearly tax amounts compared to many Western countries.

Some managed villa properties may also have additional annual management fees, land lease fees, or maintenance charges, depending on the property's specific conditions.

Yes. Most properties can be renovated after purchase. Through the newsletter, subscribers have access to our trusted renovation partner, who specializes in assisting foreign buyers throughout Japan.

It depends on the property's location and local regulations. Some properties are suitable for Airbnb or short term rentals, while others may only allow long term rentals or personal use.

Our partner agency can help determine whether a specific property is suitable for Airbnb before purchase.

Our trusted bilingual partner agency assists international buyers throughout the purchasing process. Their services include:

• Property inquiries
• Property visits
• Virtual tours
• Negotiations
• Purchase contracts
• Administrative assistance
• Buying support for foreign clients

Access to the agency is available exclusively through the newsletter.

After subscribing, you receive via email every week:

• Weekly curated property listings
• Interactive Google Earth projects
• Exact property locations
• Original Japanese listing links
• English translations
• Foreign buyer guide
• Access to our trusted real estate partner
• Access to our trusted renovation partner

If you find a property you are interested in, simply complete the Partner Agency Request Form included in every newsletter.

The newsletter is the core of the Houses of Japan service. It provides much more than individual property listings, including:

• Weekly curated opportunities
• Interactive Google Earth maps
• Exact locations
• English translations
• Buying guides
• Direct access to our trusted partner agency
• Access to our trusted renovation partner

The subscription also allows us to continue researching, translating, and publishing new opportunities every week while supporting buyers throughout their journey.

My role is to discover, share, translate, organize, and present property opportunities across Japan. I do not personally conduct property visits or handle legal transactions.

Those services are provided by our trusted bilingual partner agency, who specializes in assisting foreign buyers from start to finish.

Yes. If the property is still available, our trusted partner agency may be able to assist with inquiries, negotiations, viewings, and the purchasing process, even if you discovered the property yourself.

Japanese real estate moves quickly. Some properties may already be sold, reserved, or withdrawn by the time you inquire. New opportunities are published every week, so there are always new properties becoming available.

A new newsletter is published every week. Each edition includes a fresh selection of over 20 affordable properties from across Japan, along with translated information, all photos, extra costs, and direct links to the original listings.

Yes. As the legal owner, you are free to sell your property whenever you choose. Our trusted partner agency can also assist you with the resale process if needed.