We have walked through more used houses in Kyoto and Shiga than we can easily count. Some feel solid the moment you step inside. Others carry the quiet evidence of deferred care: a soft spot under the tatami, a roof tile that has shifted, a faint mustiness that never quite leaves. Age alone does not […]
Maintenance Costs for Used Houses in Japan Read More »
We have stood in empty rooms that should have been earning rent and in occupied ones where a small leak had already stained the ceiling because no one on the ground was checking. The difference between a rental property that runs smoothly and one that becomes a slow drain is almost always the quality of
Japanese Property Management for Rental Homes Read More »
We have sat with owners who bought a quiet house in Kyoto or Shiga years ago and only later began asking the harder question. What happens to this place when I am gone? The answer is rarely simple when the people who will inherit live thousands of kilometres away. Japanese real estate does not float
Japan Inheritance Rules for Foreign Owners Read More »
If you own a house in Kansai, there is one important piece of property maintenance equipment you may have overlooked: a large ceramic raccoon dog standing proudly outside your front door. A roof inspection is important, keeping the gutters clear is sensible, and maintaining the garden is essential. But if your Japanese home is missing
Why Your Kansai Home Needs a Shigaraki Tanuki 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 »
Walk into a machiya that’s been “renovated for guests” and you can usually tell within seconds whether it’s the real thing or a stage set. Fresh tatami and a low table aren’t enough — what gives a room its soul is usually something small: a comb resting by a mirror, a lantern in the entryway,
12 Traditional Tools That Make a Machiya Feel Authentic 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 »
Owning a house in Japan while you’re living somewhere else can work out really well — but only if the house actually gets looked after. An empty home doesn’t take care of itself just because no one’s living in it. Here’s the thing about vacant houses: they can look completely fine the day you leave,
How Often Should You Inspect an Empty House in Japan? Read More »
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’ve spent a summer in Japan, you’ll know the sound of cicadas is eventually joined by another familiar sight—the swirling typhoon icon on the evening weather forecast. Every year, from July through October, Japan enters typhoon season, with the highest risk usually arriving during August and September. While many storms pass with little more
Is Your Akiya Ready for Typhoon Season? Read More »
