Information about buying real estate in Japan, including my experience as a residential landlord in Tokyo.
Material in this section includes videos and transcripts of presentations about property in Japan.
Also see the Landed books, writing and media for more on Japan property.
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Japanese earthquake insurance explained
August 28, 2024 — Like many things in life, Japanese earthquake insurance is complicated. But it can be worth buying, and it’s readily available, despite Japan’s history of seismic activity. At the end of 2022, 35% of the nation’s households had earthquake insurance. Buying Japanese earthquake insurance Earthquake insurance is only sold as a rider…
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Buying Akiya
April 24, 2024—Many foreigners are interested in buying akiya (abandoned homes). Who can resist an inexpensive home in the beautiful Japanese countryside? If you’re thinking of buying akiya, here are a few facts to consider. Savvy competitors Japanese property investors have money, expertise and local knowledge. Japanese investors have also been shunning akiya for decades—which…
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Understanding rural Japan
Don’t buy a home in rural Japan without reading these two blogs, which offer useful insights about economics, demographics and more
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Foreclosed homes in Japan
Foreclosed homes in Japan can offer excellent value, if you have time and patience to research the market.
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A foreigner buys real estate in Japan
A presentation to JARECO, a Tokyo-based organization researching international property, about how foreigners see real estate in Japan
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Buying property in Japan
A presentation and case study about buying an apartment in Tokyo. From the 2013 Smart Property Expo in Hong Kong
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Japanese addresses explained
Japanese addresses can be confusing even for locals. Here’s an explanation from my book Landed Japan.