All 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 is an Akiya? (And Why You Might Want One)

🌸 What makes Akiya homes a special opportunity for buyers?

• Akiya Homes: Unique Opportunities in Japanese Real Estate

🤔 Why do Japan’s abandoned homes keep piling up? What does it mean for buyers?

• Why Are There So Many Akiya?

📉 What’s driving Japan’s growing number of empty homes?

• The Akiya Trend: Why are so Many Homes Vacant?

💵 Why do some akiya homes cost a fraction of what you’d expect elsewhere?

• Why are houses in Japan so cheap?

🆓 Can you really get an akiya house for free? What’s the catch?

• The Truth About “Free” Akiya Homes: Are They Really Free?

✨ How have buyers turned abandoned houses into amazing homes?

• Success Stories: Akiya Homes Transformed into Dream Homes & Getaways

Money & Technicalities

🌏 What are the rules and realities for foreign buyers?

• Can a Foreigner Buy Property in Japan?

✈️ Can you complete a property purchase remotely?

• Do I Need to be In Japan to Buy a House?

💰 How much does it really cost to keep a property in Japan running smoothly?

• What are the Ongoing Costs of Owning a Property in Japan?

🏠 What’s it like renting out your Japanese home from start to finish?

• Listing to Lease: A Renter’s Perspective

⏳ From offer to keys, what’s the typical timeline for buying?

• How Long Does it Take to Close on a House Purchase?

🏦 What are the rules and realities of borrowing money in Japan?

• Can I Get a Mortgage in Japan as a Foreigner?

🏡 How can owning an Akiya help you live debt-free?

• Living Mortgage-Free in Japan: Akiya as Primary Residence

🏨 Is short-term rental really worth the trouble in Japan?

• Airbnb: Short-Term Hype, Long-Term Headache

Making the Move

🛂 What do new property owners need to know about Japanese visas?

• Japan Visa Basics for New Property Owners

📝 Who qualifies for skilled worker or investor visas in Japan?

• Japan’s HSP & J-Skip Visas Explained

💼 Can owning property help you qualify for these business visas?

• Business Manager & Startup Visa Essentials

🛂 Will buying a house in Japan give you the right to live there?

• Does Owning Property Grant Residency?

Construction & Renovation

🔨 What are the steps to renovate a vacant house and make it livable?

• How to Bring an Akiya Back to Life

🚪 Why do these iconic sliding doors matter for your home?

• What Is a Shōji Door?

🪵 How do tatami rooms change the feel and function of a house?

• What Is a Tatami Room?

📏 How do Japanese land measurements affect your buying decisions?

• What is a Tsubo? (And Why You Should Actually Care)

Places & People

🗾 Where can you find valuable, under-the-radar vacant homes around Tokyo?

• Discover Akiya Homes: Hidden Gems in Greater Tokyo Area

🌄 Can you find vacant homes close to cities?

• Are the Properties Only in Rural Areas?

🎋 How does O-Bon affect property use, rentals, or renovations?

• O-Bon in Japan: Plan Around It

🏘️ How do community meetings shape your experience as a homeowner?

• What to Expect at Japanese Neighborhood Meetings (Jichikai)

🎌 What Japanese phrases and practices will make owning property easier?

• Japanese for Daily Life: A Practical Guide

✍️ How does knowing Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji help you navigate property documents?

• Unpacking the Three Writing Systems

Ready to explore?

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