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AkiyaHub Team
All Your Japan Property Questions, Answered!
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The BasicsQ&AStart Here!Author:
AkiyaHub TeamLast Updated:
2/5/2026All Your Japan Property Questions, Answered!
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!
Information & Inspiration
🏚️ What exactly is an akiya, and what makes them so interesting?
🌸 What makes Akiya homes a special opportunity for buyers?
🤔 Why do Japan’s abandoned homes keep piling up? What does it mean for buyers?
🔍 How can you find reliable akiya listings in Japan?
📉 What’s driving Japan’s growing number of empty homes?
💵 Why do some akiya homes cost a fraction of what you’d expect elsewhere?
🆓 Can you really get an akiya house for free? What’s the catch?
✨ How have buyers turned abandoned houses into amazing homes?
Money & Technicalities
✍️ How can you make a successful offer on an akiya in Japan?
🗂️ What steps should you take to buy an akiya house in japan?
💴 How much does an akiya house really cost in Japan?
🛡️ How can you protect your home investment in Japan?
🚉 How can data on walking distance to stations help you spot better-value properties?
🏠 How do Japan’s construction eras shape what homes cost today?
📅 How much time do you really have before a good listing disappears?
🧠 What does “psychological defect” mean, and how does it affect buying a home in Japan?
🌏 What are the rules and realities for foreign buyers?
✈️ Can you complete a property purchase remotely?
💰 How much does it really cost to keep a property in Japan running smoothly?
🏠 What’s it like renting out your Japanese home from start to finish?
⏳ From offer to keys, what’s the typical timeline for buying?
🏦 What are the rules and realities of borrowing money in Japan?
🏡 How can owning an Akiya help you live debt-free?
🏨 Is short-term rental really worth the trouble in Japan?
Making the Move
🏠 How do you go from browsing akiya listings to buying a home in Japan?
🏦 What is an akiya bank, and is it the best way to buy a house in Japan?
🛂 What do new property owners need to know about Japanese visas?
📝 Who qualifies for skilled worker or investor visas in Japan?
💼 Can owning property help you qualify for these business visas?
🛂 Will buying a house in Japan give you the right to live there?
Construction & Renovation
🔨 What are the steps to renovate a vacant house and make it livable?
🏡 How do you find move-in-ready akiya houses in Japan?
🚪 Why do these iconic sliding doors matter for your home?
🪵 How do tatami rooms change the feel and function of a house?
📏 How do Japanese land measurements affect your buying decisions?
Places & People
🌏 Can foreigners really buy akiya in Japan?
🗾 Where can you find valuable, under-the-radar vacant homes around Tokyo?
🏙️ Why are akiya houses rare in Tokyo, and what can buyers expect?
🌆 Where should buyers look inside Osaka City for livability, access, and value?
🚉 How do Osaka’s inner commuter cities compare with Tokyo for space, access, and price?
✅ How do you identify legitimate akiya listings in Japan?
🌄 Can you find vacant homes close to cities?
🚗 Can foreigners legally drive in Japan long-term?
🎋 How does O-Bon affect property use, rentals, or renovations?
🕯️ Is it bad to live near a graveyard in Japan?
🏘️ How do community meetings shape your experience as a homeowner?
🎌 What Japanese phrases and practices will make owning property easier?
✍️ How does knowing Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji help you navigate property documents?
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