Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding a home, buying property and opening a business in Japan. Follow the link under each answer for details.
Buying a home in Japan
- Can foreign nationals own property in Japan?
- Yes. There is no general restriction based on nationality or residence status; the constraints are mainly in financing and procedure.Read more：Can You Buy a Home in Japan From Abroad? Title, Financing and Status →
- Do I need permanent residency to buy property in Japan?
- No — permanent residency is not required for the purchase itself. If you're using a mortgage, though, terms vary by visa status depending on the lender.Read more：Do You Need Permanent Residency to Buy a Home in Japan? Purchase and Loan Realities by Visa Status →
- Can I get a mortgage on a work visa?
- Some lenders offer this, but compared to permanent residents or spouse-visa holders, you may face a higher down-payment requirement or a shorter maximum loan term.Read more：Do You Need Permanent Residency to Buy a Home in Japan? Purchase and Loan Realities by Visa Status →
- Can you complete a purchase without travelling to Japan?
- Powers of attorney and signature certificates are commonly used in practice. Requirements differ per transaction, so confirm early with your agent and judicial scrivener.Read more：Can You Buy a Home in Japan From Abroad? Title, Financing and Status →
- Will buying property get me a visa?
- Property ownership alone does not lead to a residence status. If you intend to build a business around it, the status criteria must be met separately.Read more：Can You Buy a Home in Japan From Abroad? Title, Financing and Status →
- Is the agency fee negotiable?
- The law sets a ceiling, not a floor. Depending on the property and the firm, there can be room to discuss.Read more：What Does a Japanese Home Cost Beyond the Price? A Breakdown →
- If a home is sold partway through the year, who pays that year's fixed asset tax?
- By law, whoever owned the property on January 1 of that year, usually the seller, owes the full year's tax. The municipality never bills the buyer directly for that year.Read more：How Much Is Property Tax in Japan? A Fixed Asset Tax Guide →
- Can foreigners start a minpaku?
- Notification and licensing are understood to be open regardless of nationality, but documents and requirements need to be checked case by case.Read more：Can You Run a Minpaku in the Property You Buy? How the 180-Day Cap and Local Rules Shape Returns →
Renting in Japan
- Can you rent without a personal guarantor?
- Yes. Leases backed by a guarantor company are the norm, and most applicants sign without providing a personal guarantor.Read more：Can Foreign Residents Rent in Tokyo? Guarantors and Friendly Listings →
- Can you choose a place before arriving in Japan?
- Some agencies offer online or video viewings. Contract procedures often still require a residence card, so confirm the conditions in advance.Read more：Can Foreign Residents Rent in Tokyo? Guarantors and Friendly Listings →
- Will I get my full deposit back?
- In principle, landlords generally cannot deduct charges for normal wear and tear or age-related deterioration, so a portion of your deposit is often refundable. That said, the actual amount depends on the property's condition, the lease's special clauses, and how the settlement is calculated, so a full refund is not guaranteed in every case.Read more：Will You Get Your Deposit Back? Who Pays for Move-Out Repairs in Japan →
- When is the deposit refunded?
- After you move out, the balance remaining once restoration costs and similar deductions are made is generally refunded by the date specified in your contract — often around a month after move-out.Read more：How Much Are the Upfront Costs? Understanding Japan's Rental Move-In Fees →
About SUMIMOTO Hub
- Is Sumimoto Hub free?
- Core features — searching, viewing, and contacting agents — are free forever. Advanced AI features such as AI investment analysis, AI contract interpretation, and property valuation reports are available on the Pro and Ultra plans, with the first month free.Read more：SUMIMOTO Hub →
- How accurate is the AI analysis?
- The AI analyzes public Japanese market data, local transaction records, and rent levels; results are for reference only. We recommend making final investment or purchase decisions together with a professional agent or lawyer.Read more：SUMIMOTO Hub →
Opening a restaurant & REDレジ
- Is it really free?
- Yes. The Free plan is ¥0 with no setup fee and includes the core features. Paid plans (Standard / Premium / Enterprise) add more capability.Read more：REDレジ →
- How multilingual is it?
- Five languages across every screen, from customer to reports: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean.Read more：REDレジ →
- What hardware do I need?
- Just one iPad to start. Printers and other peripherals as needed.Read more：REDレジ →
- Is menu setup hard?
- Bulk import from a template makes even large menus quick to set up.Read more：REDレジ →
For real estate companies
- What do businesses need to join?
- A certificate of company registration and real estate credentials (a real estate brokerage license or proof of partnership with a licensed broker). Once approved, your business account is opened, usually within 3 business days.Read more：SUMIMOTO Hub →
- Is it a lot of work to register listings?
- No — AI automatically extracts listing data from PDFs and floor plans (PDF import), greatly reducing manual entry. Google Drive integration is also supported.Read more：SUMIMOTO Hub for Business →