Own a home in JapanIn 90 Days or Less100% in English, from anywhere
Worried about fake listings, ghosting agents, and one-man shops that hand you off to “English-ish” brokers for a fee?
At AkiyaHub, our in-house & in-Japan team handles every Japanese text message, call, and document for you - then communicates with you in real English. No middleman handoff. No miscommunication. Just a true partner guiding you through every step to remove all the stress and guesswork.
Don't just take our word for it. Thousands of people are taking the journey to achieve their Japan dream through AkiyaHub.
🏡 Almost gave up - now they own their dream home!
"It's always been a dream for my wife and I to have a second home in Japan but with so many hiccups trying to get help from real estate companies on our own, we almost gave up!
Until we remembered seeing Shuo Matsuo's videos and decided to reach out to the AkiyaHub team.
The entire process from the initial video chat to the closing, assigning us a property manager, renovation team was ALL straightforward, incredibly easy, painless AND we felt very welcome.
Thanks to the AkiyaHub team, we bought our first house in Japan!!!"
Chris W.
Google Review
⚡️ Member to homeowner in just 4 weeks
"Once becoming a member, I wasted no time looking for potential properties to call my own in Japan. From my own experience, the path to purchasing my first house in Japan was easy through the step-by-step guidance of the AkiyaHub platform and staff. Within 4 weeks of becoming a member, I closed on my first house -- a beautiful property constructed by Panasonic Homes in a great neighborhood in beautiful (and greatly underrated, but let's keep it that way to hold back the horde of tourists) Shiga Prefecture; 20-minute walk to Seta River, and 30-minute walk to the southern portion of the great Biwa Lake. From Ishiyama train station, Kyoto is a quick 14-minute train ride, making this town a practical suburb of Kyoto, but without the overwhelming crowds.
After closing on the purchase of this property, AkiyaHub staff helped me get connected with an insurance agent (for home insurance coverage), a contractor (for installation of air conditioning units and whole-house wall paper), and a property manager (to get utilities connected, pay utility bills and taxes, and to look in on the house when I am not in Japan).
Also, after closing my first and second properties, AkiyaHub sent staff members to meet me each time to hand over the keys and documents to the houses once I am in Japan.
For me, the membership was worth every cent I paid.
Unreservedly, I can say this about AkiyaHub: what a great platform and staff!
Highly recommended!"
Joe P.
Google Review
🫶 So seamless, already recommending to friends
"I genuinely cannot express in a short, text-based review how incredible this entire process was. The website was super easy to sign up for and broken down into smaller commitments from exploration to closing that let me feel comfortable moving at my own pace. The property viewer was super easy to use and gave me quick snapshots of each property, with adjustable filters as we got closer to understanding what we were really looking for. And I'm sure I didn't dive into half of the features offered on the site.
Now for the important part, the whole team was absolutely incredible. Nicole was so nice for our first call, I'm sure I asked a lot of silly questions, but she made me feel comfortable and walked through everything in clear, manageable steps. As we found a house we loved and started to pick up the pace, Nicole was very patient with the higher frequency of messages and questions. Mogi was also very helpful, and I'm sure we're not even aware of half of the hoops he had to jump through to make it feel seamless on our side. He supported an identity verification call and coordinated closing day, taking the time to break things down for me when I have very little understanding of Japanese or home-buying.
Julie and Shu were both very nice in person, we met for the first time during the video interview. They seemed genuinely happy for us, and were super complimentary of the house. Videoing with them felt natural and like they tried to make it as stress-free as possible.
Again, cannot recommend this team and what Shu has built enough. I have already recommended them to a close friend who is also looking, and will be back when we have additional property needs in the future."
Melissa S.
Google Review
🇺🇸 US Real Estate Agent: Even I needed their expertise
"Because I am a Real Estate Agent in the United States, we initially attempted to facilitate our purchase through an Agent in Japan. We quickly realized that wasn’t going to work because of the language difficulties and that our search area would be limited to an agent’s area of expertise. We made the decision to place our trust in Shu and his skilled team and our expectations were exceeded. We are visiting our new home in Minamiashigara and couldn’t be happier!
Subscribe to AkiyaHub and let them guide you to your new home!"
Thomas I.
Google Review
💰 Two income properties closed successfully
"We recently closed on our first two properties in Japan and we absolutely couldn’t have done it without the support and guidance of AkiyaHub. Navigating Japanese real estate as a foreign investor comes with its own set of challenges, including cash only transactions, language barriers, and complex regulations, but the AkiyaHub team made the entire process smooth and manageable.
They connected us with trustworthy local brokers, agents, and legal professionals and provided ongoing support that gave us confidence every step of the way. Their insight into the market and willingness to guide us through everything from due diligence to closing was truly invaluable.
Thanks to their help, we’re now proud owners of two income generating properties in Japan and are excited about contributing to the economic growth and social revitalization of regional neighborhoods. We highly recommend AkiyaHub to anyone seriously considering investing in Japanese real estate."
Wency B.
Google Review
💼 Multiple properties purchased with confidence
"Shu, and his team at Akiya Hub have been so wonderful. I have truly experienced what it is like purchasing properties (now multiple with Akiyahub) In Japan. It is incredibly dofficult navigating the Japanese culture with no experience. Shu and Akiya Hub made it possible. Hands down. I have even seen people balk at the expense of what this program offers but understand this isn’t a discount service. They offer a premium bespoke experience tailored to each purchase. Believe me, If you are involved in Real estate in USA currently. You know how difficult that is. The process in Japan is tenfold and it is archaic 🤭. In my honest opinion. If you think you are going to come to Japan with 30k in your pockets….. this is a reality check. No matter what purchase point you are looking at I would anticipate spending 100k to obtain any home worth living in, all expenses (including remodel and travel expenses, lawyers, assistants [like Akiya Hub], scriveners etc.) If you are serious about buying an Akiya in Japan. Shu and Akiya Hub. Did such an amazing job. I’m blown away. I have also made some new friends. Thanks guys. 🙏😌 Arigato Gozaimasu."
Marcus P.
Google Review
🔁 Multiple properties purchased, planning more
"I have known Shu from when he first started as an individual helping people to buy property in Japan. I have watched him grow to what he is today with the founding of AkiyaHub, helping people worldwide to fulfill their dream of owning property in Japan. His honest and caring approach to helping people is what has made him the success that he is today. You can be sure that he will do his best for you in finding the property that suits your needs. Having bought a couple of properties with his help, I have been more than happy with his honesty and superb service. I look forward to purchasing more properties with his help!! Thank you very much, Shu for all that you have done for me, and I look forward to working with you in the near future."
B. A.
Google Review
💭 Lifelong dream realized: Simple & stress-free
"The team at AkiyaHub were amazing in helping me purchase my property in Japan. It’s been my dream for a long time to have a home there and they really made the process streamlined and simple. The team is very responsive and great at answering questions (big thanks to Nicole for being so informative).
They really take you step by step during the process from initially looking at houses all the way through to contracts and walking through the house once you’re there in Japan. It’s a very well oiled team and I cannot stress how simple and stress free the process was with their help."
Prashneveet I.
Google Review
15,000+ members have joined AkiyaHub to make their Japan dream real. Your story could be next.
Have questions? Scroll to see how we've helped others just like you.
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
The Big Questions Everyone Asks Us
You’re not alone. The benefit of having over 15,000 members is we’ve heard (and answered) everything. Chances are, your questions sound a lot like these…
Akiya Hunting
“How do I actually FIND these houses?”
We provide you with 4 great options. Pick your speed and comfort level.
📱 Property Feed - AI✨ driven recommendations based on your inputs.
🔍 Quick Search - Fast area snapshots based on your preferences.
🗺️ Map Search - Dynamic map based search, with our 📡🏡 Property Radar that helps rank and score by different algorithms.
🤝 Done‑for‑You - Our team will search for you! We scour through on & off‑market deals for you and presents you options that match your criteria.
Our bilingual team attends every meeting, handles all communication, and gets deals done. They don't just speak Japanese, they ARE Japanese, so they understand the culture as well.
Speaking of language, if you want to learn the basics 📚 try our Language Wizards.
AkiyaHub isn’t just a property search platform - it’s a global community helping people like you turn the dream of owning a home in Japan into something real. Here’s how members make it happen.
1
Join the Community
Connect with thousands of members who share your passion for Japan. Learn from real success stories, ask questions freely, and see how people just like you are finding their way home here.
2
Learn the Process
Buying in Japan can feel impossible from the outside - but inside AkiyaHub, you’ll find clear guides, step-by-step resources, and expert insights that demystify the entire process. From understanding the cutural rules, to adding transparency around hidden fees, to renovation tips after you buy, it’s all here.
3
Explore Tools & Take the Next Step
Use our 3 different property search tools, comprehensive cost calculators, and even a visa wizard to explore your residency options - OR connect directly with our team for guidance when you’re ready. Whether you want to live here, invest here, or just start learning, AkiyaHub gives you a clear path forward.
FREE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Still Have Questions? We've Got You Covered!
Thinking about buying, renovating, or renting out property in Japan?
This page covers 99% of questions new members ask. Each question links to a detailed article, so you can dive in as much as you like. Bookmark this guide and check back: we'll keep adding new insights as we go!
What You'll Find Inside:
Complete basics breakdown - Everything you need to know about Akiya properties, buying process, and legal requirements
Money & rules deep dive - What are the rules and realities for foreign buyers?
Making the move to Japan - Visa requirements, residency options, and practical relocation guidance
Construction & renovation mastery - What are the steps to renovate a vacant house and make it livable?
Places & people insights - Regional differences, local communities, and cultural considerations for your decision making.
We’re not another property listing site - we’re a movement built by people who believe owning a home in Japan shouldn’t be impossible, but it is also NOT for everyone. We are your cutural guides as much as we are your property experts.
🇯🇵
An In-House & In-Japan Team... We Stay The Whole Way.
You’ll never be passed off to a random “English-ish” agent. Our bilingual team lives and works in Japan - attending meetings, translating every document, going in-person to the properties, and catching the details others miss. When we say full support, we mean our people, our responsibility. You will work with us the entire time, in english.
✅
True Due Diligence & Trusted Connections
Every property and partner in our ecosystem gets thoroughly vetted by our in-house experts. No fake listings. No ghosting agents. We've built a transparent, trusted process, to verify all the data and people for you - so every move you make is based on truth, not guesswork.
🌏
15,000+ Members Who Have Your Back
You’re not alone here. Our community is filled with people walking the same path - buyers, renovators, investors, and dreamers. Learn from real stories, get help fast, and celebrate your wins together. Maybe even make some new friends along the way.
💬
Pay for What You Need - Nothing Hidden
No vague fees. No hidden costs. Our done-with-you programs are pay-as-you-go, which gives you total control over cost, pace, and commitment. Our done-for-you programs for vacation and investment properties have full up-front transparent fees so you know exactly what you're getting, and they come with a full money back guarentee if you're unhappy for any reason.
“Owning in Japan used to feel impossible - until AkiyaHub made it real.”
Own a home in JapanIn 90 Days or Less100% in English, from anywhere
Worried about fake listings, ghosting agents, and one-man shops that hand you off to “English-ish” brokers for a fee?
At AkiyaHub, our in-house & in-Japan team handles every Japanese text message, call, and document for you - then communicates with you in real English. No middleman handoff. No miscommunication. Just a true partner guiding you through every step to remove all the stress and guesswork.
