Articles

Legal & Tax · 13 min read · Audio

Japanese Property Tax for Foreign Owners: What You Will Pay

Fixed asset tax, city planning tax, income tax on rental earnings, and capital gains on sale. A plain-English guide to ongoing tax obligations.

October 20, 2025

Legal & Tax · 12 min read · Audio

Visas, Residency and Property Rights: The Foreign Buyer Legal Toolkit

Japan places no restrictions on foreign property ownership, but visa status, residency, and banking access all matter. Here is what you need to know.

August 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