The Japan Real Estate Summit · Autumn 2026 · Tokyo

Two days in Tokyo on buying property in Japan, and what actually works.

On October 17 and 18, 2026, buyers, investors, operators and Japan-based professionals met at Tokyo International Forum for two days of practical talks and workshops on buying, owning, renovating and investing in property in Japan.

Here is the full programme, every speaker, and the two AkiyaHub sessions. Thank you to everyone who joined us in the hall and on the livestream.

Brett’s talk recording Create a free account

Emily Kuno and Brett Lee of AkiyaHub, smiling, dressed in black, Brett in an AkiyaHub cap

Emily Kuno and Brett LeeAkiyaHub, on stage Saturday 17 October

17 to 18

October 2026Saturday and SundayTokyo International Forum, Hall D5

Two AkiyaHub sessions · Saturday 17 October

Two sessions on the most expensive mistakes.

The costly errors in a Japan purchase happen early: expectations imported from another market, and a search that starts before the plan exists. Brett took the first on the main stage, and his talk was on the livestream. Emily took the second in the workshop room, in person.

AkiyaHubTalkMain RoomOn the livestream

Western Expectations vs Japanese Mentality: Who Wins?

Saturday, October 1711:30 to 12:15 JST

Buying property in Japan is not just a search problem. It is a translation problem between expectations, systems, customs, risk, and reality.

Foreign buyers arrive in Japan with expectations shaped by Western real estate markets. Japanese professionals operate inside systems, norms, and risk profiles that evolved for a domestic market. When those two forces meet, who actually wins, and at whose expense? Brett examines what happens at that collision point: where expectations clash, where they might align, and what really breaks down when foreigners try to buy and own homes in Japan.

What the session covered

Where Western buyer expectations and Japanese practice collide, and where they quietly agree
What actually breaks down when a foreigner buys and owns a home in Japan
How to walk into a Japanese transaction with expectations the other side can work with

Brett Lee

CEO and Co-Founder, AkiyaHub

Brett Lee is an entrepreneur and technologist who builds companies and systems around complex problems. As CEO and Co-Founder of AkiyaHub, he leads the company’s technology, product, and strategy. Originally from the United States and now based in Japan, Brett brings a systems-driven approach to making difficult, cross-border experiences simpler and more accessible for everyday people.

AkiyaHubWorkshopBreakout RoomIn person only

Step Zero: Before the Hunt

Saturday, October 1713:15 to 14:00 JST

Most people looking for a home in Japan start with listings. That is usually too early.

In this practical workshop, Emily Kuno leads attendees through Step Zero: deciding why you want a home in Japan, how you will actually use it, which regions fit that lifestyle, what to budget, and what ownership will require when you are away.

What the session covered

Why you want a home in Japan, written down before you open a single listing
How you will really use it, and which regions fit that life
What to budget, and what ownership asks of you while you are away

Emily Kuno

Advisor, AkiyaHub

Emily Kuno is an Advisor at AkiyaHub who has worked directly with hundreds of international buyers as they consider homes in Japan. She helps members turn broad ideas about living, spending time, or building a life in Japan into concrete criteria and a realistic plan, guiding them from their earliest “Should I do this?” questions through to a confident purchase decision.

Who is on stage

The team behind 65,000+ members.

AkiyaHub is an English-first platform for finding, buying, and owning a home in Japan. It brings together education, property search and market tools, purchase support, and long-term ownership services in one place, supported by a nationwide network of 300+ Japanese professionals and service partners. AkiyaHub’s mission is simple: make owning a home in Japan practical and accessible for people around the world.

On stage, Brett and Emily brought what that network sees every week: where foreign buyers lose money, where they lose months, and what the people who did it well decided before they started looking.

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300+: Japanese professionals and service partners in the network behind every member.
65,000+: Members around the world, most of them outside Japan, which is why the livestream matters.
1: Place for education, search tools, purchase support and long-term ownership services.

The Japan Real Estate Summit · Autumn 2026

Two days that replaced guesswork with people who do this work every day.

Mortgages, renovation budgets, holding structures, exit strategy, hospitality returns, condo financing, compliance and visas: the summit put the practitioners for each of them in one hall, with time for questions from the floor.

What the two days covered

Expert talks and panel discussions from top voices in Japanese real estate
Actionable guidance on purchasing, renovating, financing and managing property
Insights into akiya, family stays, rentals and retirement planning
Opportunities to connect with trusted service providers and fellow investors
Networking in an international, English-friendly environment

Who it was for

Foreign buyers and investors interested in Japan
Current property owners seeking better returns or smoother operations
Entrepreneurs, expats and future residents planning a move to Japan
Anyone curious about how Japan’s real estate market really works

Presented by RealEstate.jp, Nippon Tradings International, Tokyo Family Stays and Ark Reform, with speakers from 9 companies across two rooms.

The full programme

Two days, two rooms, every session.

Main Room talks and Breakout Room workshops ran side by side, and the two AkiyaHub sessions are marked. Main Room talks on both days streamed live. Breakout Room workshops were in person only. Times are Japan Standard Time.

Saturday

17 October 2026

10:00 to 10:30

Registration and kick-off

10:30 to 10:45

Agenda review and orientation

10:45 to 11:30

Main RoomLivestream

50-Year Mortgages and 1% Interest Rates

Emil Gorgees, RealEstate.jp

Japan’s home loan market is constantly changing as rates and terms shift and new products become available. What do the numbers look like today, and is the new 50-year mortgage right for you and your family?

11:30 to 12:15

AkiyaHubMain RoomLivestream

Western Expectations vs Japanese Mentality: Who Wins?

Brett Lee, AkiyaHub

Foreign buyers arrive in Japan with expectations shaped by Western real estate markets, while Japanese professionals operate within systems, norms and risk profiles developed for a domestic market. Brett examines what happens when these two worlds collide, where expectations clash, where they align and what really breaks down when foreigners buy and own homes in Japan.

Breakout RoomIn person only

What Makes a Good House in Tokyo?

Emil Gorgees, RealEstate.jp

The features that make a good family home in Tokyo, and the value they bring, can be surprisingly difficult to assess. How do you judge a property and its suitability beyond what you see in the listing?

12:15 to 13:15

Lunch and free time

13:15 to 14:00

Main RoomLivestream

The Struggles of Renovating Older Japanese Homes

Blanka Kobayashi, Ark Reform

Japan has a huge selection of beautiful older traditional homes, often available surprisingly cheaply. But restoring them requires a clear understanding of what is possible, what is not, and how to budget realistically for the project.

AkiyaHubBreakout RoomIn person only

Step Zero: Before the Hunt

Emily Kuno, AkiyaHub

Most people looking for a home in Japan start with listings. That is usually too early. Emily leads attendees through Step Zero: deciding why you want a home in Japan, how you will use it, which regions suit that lifestyle, what to budget and what ownership requires when you are away.

14:00 to 14:45

Main RoomLivestream

Why You Should Not Put Your Multi-Unit Investment Under Your Own Name

Alicia Qin Wang, Axolotl Capital

Personal ownership can mean higher tax costs and greater exposure of your personal wealth to liabilities. Learn how an appropriate holding structure can help protect your wealth and improve your investment strategy.

Breakout RoomIn person only

Which Materials Should I Use for My Renovation?

Blanka Kobayashi, Ark Reform

Older and newer homes require different approaches and materials. Blanka examines how material costs, imports, domestic supply and labour have changed, and how to choose cost-effective materials for different renovation needs.

14:45 to 15:15

Free time

15:15 to 16:00

Main RoomLivestream

Japan’s Boutique Hospitality Market: A Regional Snapshot

Chai Kanda, Shiki Properties
Ben Howard, Shiki Properties

An update on Japan’s tourism and boutique hotel investment market, including a hotel case study, new financing options and leverage available to non-resident investors. Plus a practical look at Nagano’s ski property market, destinations gaining momentum and opportunities beyond Japan’s best-known alpine investment markets.

Breakout RoomIn person only

How to Leverage Bank Loans for Your Investment Properties

Alicia Qin Wang, Axolotl Capital

Case studies, deal analysis and market updates covering the financing options currently available to non-resident buyers and how they work in practice.

16:00 to 16:45

Experts Q&A panel

18:00 to 20:00

Gala dinnerSeparate ticket

Sunday

18 October 2026

10:00 to 10:15

Registration and orientation

10:15 to 11:00

Main RoomLivestream

Entering the Market with Exit in Mind

Ziv Nakajima-Magen, Nippon Tradings International

Most buyers spend far more time thinking about entering the Japanese property market than eventually leaving it. Ziv examines how location, building age, financing, buyer demand and asset type affect liquidity, and how to ask the critical question before buying: when it is time to exit, who will want this property and what options will I have?

Breakout RoomIn person only

Boutique Hotel Investment Case Studies: Using Leverage to Enhance Returns

Yi Zhang, Shiki Properties

Real-world boutique hotel case studies examining investment costs, operating performance and returns, including how appropriately structured financing can reduce equity requirements and generate attractive leveraged yields.

11:00 to 11:45

Main RoomLivestream

Booked in a Crowded Market

Tracey Northcott, Tokyo Family Stays

Japan remains one of the world’s most popular tourism markets, but the number of hospitality properties is growing too. Learn how current AI tools can help your property stand out in an increasingly crowded market.

Breakout RoomIn person only

JRE Deal Analysis Studio: Product Updates and Demo

Ziv Nakajima-Magen, Nippon Tradings International
Jerome Marley, JRE Deal Analysis Studio

The JRE Deal Analysis AI platform returns with new features. See how it can generate a market feasibility report for virtually any property listed for sale, including rent projections for vacant properties, comparable market analysis and its investment grade ranking.

11:45 to 12:30

Main RoomLivestream

What AI Operations Actually Do to the Bottom Line

Sana Bhandari, SympleHost

AI is already changing how short-term rentals are managed, but does it actually improve profit? Sana examines real examples from Japan and across Asia-Pacific to show where AI creates measurable financial impact, where it does not, and how operators can apply those numbers to their own businesses.

Breakout RoomIn person only

The 30-Minute AI Makeover

Tracey Northcott, Tokyo Family Stays

Live listing analysis, review and amendment designed to improve occupancy and profitability.

12:30 to 13:30

Lunch and free time

13:30 to 14:15

Main RoomLivestream

Any Purpose. Any Residency Status. Any Major City. Financing Your Japan Condo

Wyatt Beck, YEN LOANS

Yen Loans provides a market update and explains financing options for condo purchases across Japan’s major cities, covering personal use, investment and hybrid use for residents and non-residents alike. Wyatt will also explain equity release loans using an existing property as collateral.

13:30 to 15:00

Breakout RoomIn person only

Introduction to GoMinpaku

Max Delvita, SympleHost
Dave Singh, SympleHost

GoMinpaku is a free compliance reporting tool for hosts that automates guest information collection, passport processing, 180-day tracking and government reporting. The workshop includes a live demo and discussion of real-world reporting cases brought by attendees.

15:00 to 15:30

Free time

15:30 to 16:15

Main RoomLivestream

Beyond the Business Manager Visa: Entrepreneur Solutions

Hiroto Senda, Immigration lawyer

Updates, practical solutions and alternative approaches from an immigration lawyer for foreign entrepreneurs looking to establish businesses in Japan while navigating changing residency requirements.

Breakout RoomIn person only

Your Individual Borrowing Scenario

Wyatt Beck, YEN LOANS

An interactive session where Wyatt helps attendees evaluate their individual borrowing capacity and map out potential purchases or equity withdrawals from existing properties.

16:15 to 17:00

Experts Q&A panel

17:00 to 17:45

Goodbyes and photo ops

18:00 to 20:00

The afterparty

16 people on the programme

Learn directly from the people doing the work every day.

Agents, lenders, renovators, hosts, operators and platform builders who work with foreign buyers and owners in Japan every day. Here is everyone, with AkiyaHub first.

Brett LeeAkiyaHub

Emily KunoAkiyaHub

Emil GorgeesRealEstate.jp

Blanka KobayashiArk Reform

Tracey NorthcottTokyo Family Stays

Ziv Nakajima-MagenNippon Tradings International

Alicia Qin WangAxolotl Capital

Chai KandaShiki Properties

Wyatt BeckYEN LOANS

Sana BhandariSympleHost

Max DelvitaSympleHost

Dave SinghSympleHost

Brett LeeAkiyaHub

Emily KunoAkiyaHub

Emil GorgeesRealEstate.jp

Blanka KobayashiArk Reform

Tracey NorthcottTokyo Family Stays

Ziv Nakajima-MagenNippon Tradings International

Alicia Qin WangAxolotl Capital

Chai KandaShiki Properties

Wyatt BeckYEN LOANS

Sana BhandariSympleHost

Max DelvitaSympleHost

Dave SinghSympleHost

AkiyaHub

Brett Lee

CEO and Co-Founder, AkiyaHub

Read bio

AkiyaHub

Emily Kuno

Advisor, AkiyaHub

Read bio

Emil Gorgees

Founder and CEO, RealEstate.jp

Read bio

A Tokyo real estate agent who specializes in helping foreign and mixed families find their perfect family home. Emil is an Australian, and has been living in Japan for the past two decades, 11 years of which he has been actively buying, selling and managing real estate properties in the city, on behalf of his own family and a great many happy clients. Emil also acts as a mortgage broker on behalf of his clients.

Blanka Kobayashi

CEO and Co-Founder, Ark Reform

Read bio

Blanka Kobayashi is the CEO and Co-Founder of ARK Reform, a bilingual renovation and remodeling company serving the Kanto region. She leads the company’s vision and client strategy, helping homeowners and business owners navigate renovation projects with clarity, transparency, and confidence.

Tracey Northcott

Founder, Tokyo Family Stays

Read bio

Australian Tracey Northcott of Enfour, Tokyo Family Stays and Tracey Northcott Consulting is a serial entrepreneur based in Tokyo, Japan. She is one of the most successful Airbnb hosts in Tokyo. She also runs the software development company Enfour with her family, as well as Tracey Northcott Consulting, where she helps other hosts discover the true potential of their short-term rental or Airbnb business, maximizing their investment, enjoyment and hospitality standards.

Ziv Nakajima-Magen

Co-founder, Nippon Tradings International

Read bio

Ziv Nakajima-Magen and his partner, Chikako, have co-founded and been operating Nippon Tradings International (NTI) since 2011, a firm specializing in assisting foreigners research, source, acquire and manage real estate property anywhere in Japan, with a focus on investment properties and holiday homes. He is also co-founder and COO of Nippon Bridge, assisting non-resident foreigners conducting other business in and relocating to Japan.

Alicia Qin Wang

Managing Partner, Axolotl Capital

Read bio

Alicia is a seasoned real estate investor in both the US and Japan. She has been helping foreign investors acquire cash-flowing investment properties and obtain loans from Japanese banks, as well as providing creative financing options to help clients purchase properties, identifying investment properties, profitability analysis, loan application and processing, and property management. She holds law degrees from both Japan and the US, and is also a licensed attorney, real estate agent and loan officer in the US.

Chai Kanda

Founder and CEO, Shiki Properties

Read bio

Chai Kanda is a Kyoto-based real estate expert and serial entrepreneur dedicated to helping foreigners invest in and manage traditional Japanese properties. Born in Sydney to an Australian father and Japanese mother, he moved to Japan in 2007. Following a successful professional career, Chai leveraged his deep understanding of Japanese culture to found Shiki Properties in 2014. Today, his company is renowned as one of Kyoto’s most internationally friendly real estate and property management firms. With extensive experience in domestic tourism and strong government connections, Chai is committed to preserving Japan’s architectural heritage while making property investment seamless and profitable for global buyers.

Wyatt Beck

Head of Sales, YEN LOANS

Read bio

Wyatt E. Beck heads sales at YEN LOANS, where he leads loan origination and execution for borrowers investing in Japanese real estate. Prior to joining YEN LOANS, he worked as a broker specializing in residential and hospitality investment sales. He is a US Navy veteran and a graduate of Temple University Japan.

Sana Bhandari

Co-Founder, SympleHost

Read bio

Sana Bhandari is the co-founder of SympleHost, an AI co-host for short-term rentals. A UX leader with over a decade of experience at foodpanda, DBS, and GovTech, she now works directly with hosts across Japan and Southeast Asia to improve operational efficiency and grow revenue through AI-powered strategies.

Max Delvita

CEO and Co-Founder, SympleHost

Read bio

Max is CEO and co-founder of SympleHost. He is a senior product leader with 15+ years of experience across fintech, hospitality technology, and startups, including as Chief Product Officer at MoneySmart and founder of AI startups.

Dave Singh

Co-Founder and CTO, SympleHost

Read bio

Dave is co-founder and CTO of SympleHost. A seasoned technology leader with fourteen years of experience building and architecting complex software systems, he leads the engineering behind SympleHost’s AI operations platform, including channel connections, automation, reporting and government-format compliance outputs. His work helps short-term rental operators replace manual processes with reliable, scalable systems built for real-world hosting.

Also leading sessions

Ben HowardShiki Properties
Yi ZhangShiki Properties
Jerome MarleyJRE Deal Analysis Studio
Hiroto SendaImmigration lawyer

Inside the Glass Building at Tokyo International Forum: the curved timber wall, the glass roof and the walkways above the atrium — The Glass Building atrium, seven storeys of glass under a ship-hull roof

The glass facade of Tokyo International Forum from the street, with trees and flags in front — The Glass Building from the street, one block from Yurakucho Station

Venue

Tokyo International Forum, Hall D5.

Glass, steel and a five-minute walk from Tokyo Station, in the middle of Marunouchi. Hall D5 is on the fifth floor of Hall D.

Address: Tokyo International Forum, Hall D (D5, 5th Floor)
3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005
Hours: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026
10:00 to 18:00 JST.

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Oct 17 to 18, 2026 · Tokyo International Forum

The summit is over. The expensive mistakes are the same.

A wrong region. A budget built from listing prices. A renovation scoped from photographs. An ownership plan with nobody to open the door while you are away. Most of them are decided before the search starts, and that is where AkiyaHub members start too.

Create a free account Brett’s talk recording

Western Expectations vs Japanese Mentality: Who Wins?: Brett Lee · Saturday 11:30 to 12:15 JST · Main Room
Step Zero: Before the Hunt: Emily Kuno · Saturday 13:15 to 14:00 JST · Breakout Room

Photo credits

Tokyo International Forum photographs by Kakidai, MaedaAkihiko and MaedaAkihiko via Wikimedia Commons, used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Speaker portraits courtesy of the summit organisers and the speakers.