Converting a long-term rental or vacant investment property into a short-term rental on Airbnb (or Booking.com and similar platforms) in Japan is feasible and can deliver higher yields in strong tourism locations — but it is heavily regulated. The key framework is the Private Lodging Business Act (住宅宿泊事業法), commonly called the Minpaku Law or Minpaku […]
Converting Your Property into Airbnb (Minpaku) in Japan Read More »
Shiga Prefecture, centered around Lake Biwa and offering strong rail links to Kyoto and Osaka, features several high-ridership JR stations (primarily on the Biwako/Tokaido Line). High daily passenger volumes signal strong local demand, commuting convenience, commercial activity, and housing appeal—key factors for property investors seeking rental demand, capital appreciation, or mixed-use potential. Passenger figures below
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Japan is one of the more accessible real estate markets for foreign buyers. Foreigners can generally own land and buildings in Japan, but owning a property doesn’t necessarily mean you can use it however you want. If you’re thinking about turning a house into a restaurant, guesthouse, office, rental property or other business, one of
Japan Zoning Laws: What Property Buyers Need to Know Read More »
Buying a house in Japan involves more than the advertised purchase price. Whether you are buying a Kyoto home, an investment property, or an older akiya, there are several costs to understand before you make an offer. The largest and most visible additional cost is usually the real estate agent’s commission (仲介手数料). Japan regulates the
Real Estate Fees in Japan: What Buyers Need to Know Read More »
Kansai’s rail network moves an extraordinary number of people every day. Anchored by Osaka’s sprawling Umeda district and stretching out to Kyoto and Kobe, these stations aren’t simply transit points. Many are surrounded by shopping districts, restaurants, offices, hotels, residential neighborhoods, and major tourist attractions. For people who own property in Japan, or are researching
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Japan has excellent infrastructure and reliable services, but property ownership still requires someone to be physically available when something goes wrong. An empty house can deteriorate surprisingly quickly. Humidity can contribute to mold and damage, particularly during Japan’s hot and rainy seasons. Gardens can become overgrown. Insects and termites can cause problems. Heavy rain and
Why Managing a Japanese Property From Overseas Can Be Difficult Read More »
If you own or manage property in Japan, you already know the ground here doesn’t sit still for long. Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates — the Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American — which makes it one of the most seismically active countries on Earth. Since 1900, Japan has recorded
Why Japan Builds for the Shake: A Look at Japan’s Earthquake Technology Read More »
Walk through central Kyoto today and you’ll still find pockets of the city that look like they belong in another century — narrow wooden townhouses with lattice facades, tucked-away courtyard gardens, and tiled roofs that slope gently over the street. These are machiya, the traditional merchant townhouses that have defined Kyoto’s cityscape for over a
Two Houses a Day: Kyoto Is Quietly Erasing Its Machiya Read More »
Owning a home in Japan is an exciting milestone, whether you’re buying a primary residence, a vacation property, or an investment. From bustling urban centers to serene countryside spots, Japanese properties offer unique appeal. However, the true cost goes far beyond the purchase price. Understanding ongoing expenses is crucial, and enlisting professional help — like
Cost of Owning a House in Japan: Kansai Guide Read More »
Kansai — Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, and Shiga — holds some of Japan’s sharpest contrasts in the akiya story. One prefecture ties for the highest vacancy rate in the entire country, while two others are actually improving. Here’s what the 2023 Housing and Land Survey shows. Kansai by the numbers The region’s six prefectures
Kansai Akiya Crisis: Vacant Homes by Prefecture in 2026 Read More »
