Articles

Property Guide · 16 min read · Audio

Land vs House: When Buying Just the Plot Makes More Sense

Demolition costs, tax traps, building restrictions, and the financial framework for deciding when a vacant lot beats a standing structure in Japan.

March 8, 2026

Market Analysis · 15 min read · Audio

Suburban vs Rural Japan: Where Foreign Buyers Actually Buy

Our data reveals most serious akiya buyers want train access, convenience stores, and hospitals nearby — not remote mountain villages. Here's why suburban beats rural.

March 7, 2026

Property Guide · 14 min read · Audio

Akiya Bank vs Private Listing: Which Gets You a Better Deal in Japan?

Municipal akiya banks offer bargain prices and renovation subsidies. Private listings offer transparency and speed. Here's what each path actually costs and how the process works for foreign buyers.

March 6, 2026

Culture · 18 min read · Audio

Community Integration: How to Be a Good Neighbor in Rural Japan

Your guide to jichikai membership, seasonal duties, gift-giving customs, and the unwritten social rules that make or break life in rural Japan.

March 5, 2026

Buying Guide · 11 min read · Audio

Can You Really Buy a House in Japan for $5,000?

Yes, houses in Japan sell for under $5,000 — but the price tag is just the beginning. Here is what these properties actually look like, what they really cost, and how to avoid the most expensive mistakes.

March 3, 2026

Practical Guide · 13 min read · Audio

Best Time to Buy Property in Japan: A Month-by-Month Guide

How Japan fiscal year, tax calendar, weather patterns, and holiday shutdowns create buying windows — and pitfalls — for foreign property buyers. Month-by-month guide.

March 3, 2026

Practical Guide · 20 min read · Audio

Managing Your Japanese Property from Abroad: A Practical Guide

Managing Japanese property from overseas: tax representatives, management companies, decay prevention, and the real costs of remote ownership. Practical guide for foreign owners.

February 27, 2026

Practical Guide · 13 min read · Audio

The Akiya Inspection Checklist: What to Look for Before You Buy

The 12-point inspection checklist for buying akiya in Japan. Roof, foundation, termites, plumbing, earthquake codes — what to check before you sign.

February 26, 2026

Regional Guide · 14 min read · Audio

Niigata: Japan's Snow Capital Has the Cheapest Akiya You'll Find Near a Bullet Train

78,000 vacant houses, ¥1M akiya near ski resorts, and a 90-minute bullet train to Tokyo — Niigata's snow country is Japan's best-kept property secret.

February 25, 2026

Buying Guide · 7 min read · Audio

Can You Buy a House in Japan Without Visiting? What to Know

Buying a house in Japan without visiting is possible via power of attorney. Learn the full process, which steps require presence, and how to manage the risks.

February 24, 2026

Regional Guide · 16 min read · Audio

Why Chiba Is Japan Most Saved Prefecture for Foreign Property Buyers

Chiba dominates saved properties on Akiya Japan yet has virtually zero English-language coverage. We dig into the data to show why savvy buyers are looking east of Tokyo.

February 24, 2026

Legal Update · 7 min read · Audio

Finding an English-Speaking Judicial Scrivener in Japan: A Directory for Foreign Property Buyers

A practical guide to judicial scriveners (shiho-shoshi) and a curated directory of English-speaking firms across Japan that specialize in helping foreign property buyers with registration, inheritance, and title transfers.

February 22, 2026