Articles

Practical Guide · 7 min read · Audio

Every Akiya Bank in Japan: The Complete English Guide

Japan has over 1,000 municipal akiya bank programs listing vacant houses for sale — many under $10,000 or free. Here is how they work and how to access them in English.

March 18, 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

Property Guide · 13 min read · Audio

From Saved to Sold: What Actually Happens After You Find Your Akiya

The complete step-by-step process from enquiry to keys in hand — every document, deposit, and deadline explained in plain English.

March 17, 2026

Legal & Tax · 7 min read · Audio

Minpaku: Can Your Akiya Become a Profitable Short-Term Rental?

This guide explains Japan's minpaku (private lodging) system, its legal requirements, and how it can turn your renovated akiya into a source of income. Use Akiya Japan's map layers to find them.

March 16, 2026

Market Analysis · 8 min read · Audio

Fukushima Property: Japan's Most Undervalued Prefecture?

Fukushima property prices sit 30-50% below comparable locations in neighbouring prefectures. With government reconstruction spending, Shinkansen access, and radiation readings at or below global averages, the data suggests a reputational discount that may not last.

March 15, 2026

Legal & Tax · 6 min read · Audio

Japan Digital Nomad Visa vs. Property Ownership: Which Gets You More?

Japan s new digital nomad visa sounds perfect — until you read the fine print. No bank account, no health insurance, no resident pricing. Here is how property ownership changes the equation.

March 14, 2026

Market Analysis · 8 min read · Audio

Osaka Property Before the Casino: Why Investors Are Moving Now

The Expo 2025, a $10 billion MGM casino resort, and massive infrastructure upgrades are transforming Osaka. Here is what property costs now — before the world catches on.

March 14, 2026

Practical Guide · 14 min read · Audio

Working with Japanese Real Estate Agents: A Respectful Guide

Business card etiquette, response timelines, contract steps, and why ghosting an agent can close doors across an entire region.

March 14, 2026

Market Analysis · 6 min read · Audio

Japan Is Raising Tourist Prices — Why Owning Property Gets You Local Rates

Dual pricing, accommodation tax hikes, and access fees are reshaping the cost of visiting Japan. For property owners registered as residents, the same policies mean local rates and municipal benefits.

March 13, 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

Regional Guide · 17 min read · Audio

Snow Country Living: Your Guide to Akiya in Japan's Ski and Onsen Regions

From Niigata to Hokkaido — where to find affordable snow country akiya near ski resorts and onsen, what they cost, and what winter ownership really involves.

March 13, 2026