How ownership registration (登記) works after buying a house in Japan — the process, documents, costs, and what foreign or non-resident buyers need to know. We have sat through enough settlement meetings to know the moment the atmosphere changes. The final payment has cleared. The keys are on the table. Then the judicial scrivener gathers […]
Registering Your House After You Buy It in Japan Read More »
Non-resident owners of Japanese property must appoint a tax administrator. Here’s how the process works for fixed-asset tax and income tax in 2026. We have watched more than one overseas owner discover, usually a little too late, that Japanese tax notices do not travel well across borders. Fixed-asset tax bills arrive by post, written in
How to Appoint a Tax Administrator in Japan Read More »
We have watched the complaints pile up for years. A suitcase dragged across a wooden floor at 1 a.m. in a quiet residential lane. Trash bags left on the wrong day. The low, constant tension that builds when short-term guests cycle through a neighborhood that was never designed for them. In June 2026 the Japan
Minpaku Rules Tighten Across Japan in 2026 Read More »
For many foreigners looking to buy a house in Japan, one of the first questions is how to finance the purchase. You may have found a newly built home near Kyoto, an older property in Shiga, or an akiya with potential, only to wonder whether a Japanese bank will lend to you. The short answer
Can Foreigners Get a Mortgage for a House in Japan? Read More »
We have sat across from overseas buyers more than once and watched the same realisation settle in. They had just signed a purchase agreement for a house in Kyoto or Shiga, the ink still fresh, and they asked the question almost every foreign buyer eventually asks: “So… do I have a cooling-off period?” The short
Japan’s Real Estate Cooling-Off Rule Explained Read More »
We were standing on a quiet side street in eastern Kyoto last spring, looking at a vacant machiya that had sat empty for years. The road was barely wider than a delivery van. On one side the wooden eaves almost touched those of the neighbor. On the other, a thin strip of concrete had been
How Setbacks Shape Property Lines in Japan Read More »
One of the first questions overseas property owners ask is: “How much will property management actually cost me?” The answer is more complicated than a single percentage. Property management fees in Japan vary depending on the property, location, rental income, services provided, and whether the property is occupied or vacant. Overseas owners may also face
Property Management Costs in Japan: 2026 Guide Read More »
Owning property in Japan while living overseas is entirely legal and increasingly common. Foreign nationals can generally purchase freehold land, houses, and condominiums in Japan. The real challenge is managing that property when you are thousands of kilometres away and must deal with Japanese regulations, tax rules, tenants, contractors, and local authorities. Whether you own
Property Management in Japan for Foreign Owners (2026) Read More »
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 »
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 »
