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Buying Guide · 13 min read · Audio

Akiya for Business: Turning Abandoned Houses into Guesthouses and Cafés

The minpaku law, fire code requirements, business registration, and visa rules for foreigners turning akiya into guesthouses and cafés.

April 12, 2026

Buying Guide · 7 min read · Audio

Can Foreigners Buy Property in Japan? The Definitive Answer

Yes — Japan places zero restrictions on foreign property ownership. Here is everything you need to know about buying land, houses, and apartments in Japan as a non-citizen.

March 18, 2026

Buying Guide · 6 min read · Audio

Your Grandparents Left Japan — Here Is How to Buy Back In

Brazil has 2.7 million people of Japanese descent. Japan has 9 million vacant homes. With preferential visas, no foreign ownership restrictions, and houses starting at $13,000 in cities that already speak Portuguese, the path back is simpler than most Nikkei realise.

March 18, 2026

Buying Guide · 7 min read · Audio

Why Japan Is the Best Country in Asia to Buy Property as a Foreigner

Thailand restricts you to condos. Vietnam caps ownership at 50 years. Indonesia won't let you hold land at all. Japan? Full freehold, no restrictions, same rights as a citizen. Here is how every major Asian market compares — and why Japan keeps winning.

March 13, 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

Buying Guide · 7 min read · Audio

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

Remote property purchases in Japan are possible — but the risks are real. Here is what can go wrong buying sight unseen, and how to protect yourself if you cannot visit in person.

February 24, 2026

Buying Guide · 6 min read · Audio

Cheap Houses in Japan from ¥1M ($7,000): 6 Best Regions to Buy

Houses from ¥1 million in rural Japan. We break down 6 affordable regions, real purchase costs, and what to inspect before buying. Updated 2026 with current listings.

February 17, 2026

Buying Guide · 13 min read · Audio

Akiya Houses for Sale in Japan: The Complete Beginner's Guide

Everything you need to know about buying an akiya (vacant house) in Japan — what they are, where to find them, what they cost, and how to avoid the most common mistakes foreign buyers make.

February 10, 2026

Buying Guide · 13 min read · Audio

Can You Get a Mortgage for a Japanese House? What Banks Say

Bank valuations, Flat 35 eligibility, non-resident lending, and alternative financing paths including seller financing and overseas equity release.

November 15, 2025

Buying Guide · 14 min read · Audio

How to Read a Japanese Property Listing Like a Local

Tsubo, madori, setback, and building coverage ratio. The essential vocabulary and conventions you need to decode any Japanese property listing.

July 10, 2025

Buying Guide · 16 min read · Audio

The Real Cost of Buying an Akiya: Fees, Taxes, and Surprises Nobody Mentions

Beyond the sticker price: registration tax, acquisition tax, agent fees, judicial scrivener costs, and the hidden expenses that catch every first-time buyer off guard.

May 20, 2025

Buying Guide · 24 min read · Audio

How to Buy an Akiya in Japan: Step-by-Step for Foreigners

Step-by-step guide to buying abandoned houses in Japan as a foreigner. Legal requirements, real costs, visa rules, and how to avoid the most common mistakes. Updated 2026.

April 15, 2025