Buying Guide
Columns on the home-buying process in Japan — from searching and contracts to mortgages and handover — and what to watch out for.
How Much Is the Agent Fee When Buying in Japan? The Cap and the “3% + ¥60,000” Formula
When you buy property in Japan, the brokerage fee is capped under the Real Estate Transaction Business Act and a related notice. This guide covers the “3% + ¥60,000” formula, sample amounts by price, and when the fee applies.
Why Are Buyers Asked Where Their Money Comes From? Preparing ID and Transfer Records
Reports say Japan’s land ministry will revise its anti-money-laundering checklist for property deals. Here is why agents ask, and which ID and funding records buyers can prepare in advance.
Can You Buy Property in Japan While Living Overseas?
Yes. Buying property in Japan is generally not restricted by nationality or residence status, and you can sign and register from abroad. What differs from local buyers is the registration paperwork, financing and management after handover.
Can Foreigners Get a Mortgage in Japan?
You can apply, but the bar depends on your residence status. Permanent residents and spouses of Japanese nationals are approved more easily; on a work visa, fewer banks lend and down payments are usually higher. Here is what banks look at and how to prepare.
How Much Does Buying a Home in Japan Cost on Top of the Price?
Beyond the purchase price, buying property in Japan involves brokerage fees, registration tax, real estate acquisition tax, judicial scrivener fees and insurance. Buying from overseas adds translation, certification and international transfer costs. Here is what to expect and when.
Do Foreigners Need Permanent Residency to Buy a Home in Japan?
No. Buying property in Japan requires neither permanent residency nor Japanese citizenship. What your visa status changes is whether you can get a mortgage, and on what terms.
Can a Foreign National Get a Japanese Mortgage? Residency, Income and Documents Explained
Foreign nationals can sometimes get a mortgage in Japan, but each lender sets its own conditions. Here is what lenders tend to check, a worked repayment example and the documents to prepare.
What Does It Cost Beyond the Price? Closing Costs and Budgeting for a Home in Japan
Buying property in Japan involves more than the price: brokerage fees, taxes, registration costs and loan-related charges. Learn the typical breakdown and the costs that are easy to miss.
What Should You Check in the Important Matters Explanation? Documents to Read Before You Sign
Before buying property in Japan you receive an 'important matters explanation'. This guide covers what Article 35 of the Real Estate Brokerage Act requires, how it differs from the contract, and tips for online explanations from overseas.
Found a Defect After Handover? Notice Deadlines and Remedies Under Japan's Contract Non-Conformity Rules
If leaks or termite damage turn up after you take over a used home in Japan, what can you claim from the seller? This guide explains the non-conformity liability rules, notice deadlines, and how corporate and individual sellers differ.
Can You Cancel After Paying a Deposit? Japan's 'Tetsuke' Earnest-Money Rules
In Japanese property purchases, buyers typically pay an earnest-money deposit (tetsuke-kin) at contract signing. Here's when you can cancel using that deposit, what caps apply to a business seller's deposit, and how it differs from a breach-of-contract penalty.
Fixed or Variable? How to Pick a Mortgage Rate as the Gap Hits a Record High
In September 2026, the gap between fixed and variable mortgage rates in Japan reportedly widened to a record level, driven by the Bank of Japan's gradual rate hikes. Here's what buyers of Japanese property generally need to compare and confirm in this environment.
Is a Home Inspection Required When Buying a Used House in Japan?
Buying a used home in Japan often raises the question of whether an inspection (インスペクション) is mandatory. Here's what's actually required under real estate law, and what to check before you sign.
Variable or Fixed? How to Choose a Mortgage as Banks Diverge on Rates
In September 2026, some megabanks raised variable mortgage rates while Mizuho and Resona held theirs steady, and Flat 35 and 10-year fixed rates both rose. With banks now split on direction, here is how to work out whether variable or fixed suits you.
Did Your Variable Mortgage Rate Just Rise? What September's Hike Means for You
MUFG Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation both raised their benchmark variable mortgage rates by 0.25% in September 2026, the first such increase in six months. Here is what that means for your repayment amount, whether the 5-year and 125% rules apply to your loan, and when switching to fixed makes sense.
Can You Still Buy a Home as Rates Rise? Rethinking Japanese Mortgages
Japan's FY2027 budget request raised the assumed interest rate for debt servicing to 3.8%. Starting from that shift in assumptions, we look at variable versus fixed rates, the gap between what you can borrow and what you can repay, and what foreign buyers should confirm first.
New Build or Resale? How to Check Earthquake Standards and Reserves Before Buying in Japan
Choosing between a new build and a resale property in Japan isn't just a price decision. Here are the earthquake-standard, non-conformity liability, and repair-reserve checks overseas buyers often miss.
Is the Yen's Move a Buy Signal? What Really Matters When Buying Property in Japan
On the morning of August 14, 2026, the yen traded between roughly 157.70 and 158 to the dollar as expectations for an early Fed rate hike eased. Is a currency move really a buy signal? Here's what actually matters — costs, procedures, and pitfalls — when buying property in Japan.
Do You Need Permanent Residency to Buy a Home in Japan? Purchase and Loan Realities by Visa Status
With Japan's immigration authority proposing stricter permanent residency requirements, we look at what actually matters for buying property here — and how loan terms differ by visa status.
What Does a Japanese Home Cost Beyond the Price? A Breakdown
Agency fees, registration tax, acquisition tax, judicial scrivener fees and more — the costs to budget for before you sign, with typical levels.
Can You Buy a Home in Japan From Abroad? Title, Financing and Status
For overseas buyers looking at Japanese property for the first time: the registration, financing and residence-status basics worth settling before you sign.
Laws Covered in This Category
- Act on Prevention of Transfer of Criminal Proceeds, Art. 4
- Why Are Buyers Asked Where Their Money Comes From? Preparing ID and Transfer Records
- Act on Special Measures concerning Taxation, Article 41
- Can a Foreign National Get a Japanese Mortgage? Residency, Income and Documents Explained
- Act on Special Measures Concerning Taxation, Article 41
- Can You Still Buy a Home as Rates Rise? Rethinking Japanese Mortgages
- Banking Act (銀行法), Article 12-2; Banking Act Enforcement Regulations, Article 13-3
- Variable or Fixed? How to Choose a Mortgage as Banks Diverge on Rates
- Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Act (宅地建物取引業法), Article 35
- Variable or Fixed? How to Choose a Mortgage as Banks Diverge on Rates
- Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Act Art. 40
- Found a Defect After Handover? Notice Deadlines and Remedies Under Japan's Contract Non-Conformity Rules
- Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Act, Art. 34-2
- Is a Home Inspection Required When Buying a Used House in Japan?
- Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Act, Article 35
- Fixed or Variable? How to Pick a Mortgage Rate as the Gap Hits a Record High
- Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Act, Article 35(1)
- Is the Yen's Move a Buy Signal? What Really Matters When Buying Property in Japan
- Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Act, Article 40
- New Build or Resale? How to Check Earthquake Standards and Reserves Before Buying in Japan
- Building Standards Act (1981 revision, effective June 1, 1981)
- New Build or Resale? How to Check Earthquake Standards and Reserves Before Buying in Japan
- Civil Code (民法), Article 589
- Variable or Fixed? How to Choose a Mortgage as Banks Diverge on Rates
- Civil Code Art. 562
- Found a Defect After Handover? Notice Deadlines and Remedies Under Japan's Contract Non-Conformity Rules
- Civil Code Art. 563
- Found a Defect After Handover? Notice Deadlines and Remedies Under Japan's Contract Non-Conformity Rules
- Civil Code Art. 566
- Found a Defect After Handover? Notice Deadlines and Remedies Under Japan's Contract Non-Conformity Rules
- Civil Code, Article 206
- Do Foreigners Need Permanent Residency to Buy a Home in Japan?
- Civil Code, Article 369
- Can a Foreign National Get a Japanese Mortgage? Residency, Income and Documents Explained
- Civil Code, Article 557
- Can You Cancel After Paying a Deposit? Japan's 'Tetsuke' Earnest-Money Rules
- Civil Code, Article 562
- New Build or Resale? How to Check Earthquake Standards and Reserves Before Buying in Japan
- Civil Code, Article 563
- New Build or Resale? How to Check Earthquake Standards and Reserves Before Buying in Japan
- Civil Code, Article 566
- Can You Still Buy a Home as Rates Rise? Rethinking Japanese Mortgages
- Civil Code, Article 587
- Can a Foreign National Get a Japanese Mortgage? Residency, Income and Documents Explained
- Enforcement Regulations of the Act, Art. 16-4-3
- What Should You Check in the Important Matters Explanation? Documents to Read Before You Sign
- Housing Quality Assurance Act Art. 95
- Found a Defect After Handover? Notice Deadlines and Remedies Under Japan's Contract Non-Conformity Rules
- Housing Quality Assurance Act, Articles 94 and 95
- Can You Still Buy a Home as Rates Rise? Rethinking Japanese Mortgages
- Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Article 22
- Do Foreigners Need Permanent Residency to Buy a Home in Japan?
- Interest Rate Restriction Act (利息制限法), Article 1
- Did Your Variable Mortgage Rate Just Rise? What September's Hike Means for You
- Interest Rate Restriction Act, Article 1
- Fixed or Variable? How to Pick a Mortgage Rate as the Gap Hits a Record High
- Japan Housing Finance Agency Act
- Fixed or Variable? How to Pick a Mortgage Rate as the Gap Hits a Record High
- Local Tax Act, Article 73-15
- What Does It Cost Beyond the Price? Closing Costs and Budgeting for a Home in Japan
- Local Tax Act, Article 73-15-2, among other provisions
- Is the Yen's Move a Buy Signal? What Really Matters When Buying Property in Japan
- Local Tax Act, Article 73-2
- How Much Does Buying a Home in Japan Cost on Top of the Price?
- Real Estate Brokerage Act, Art. 35
- What Should You Check in the Important Matters Explanation? Documents to Read Before You Sign
- Real Estate Brokerage Act, Art. 37
- What Should You Check in the Important Matters Explanation? Documents to Read Before You Sign
- Real Estate Brokerage Act, Article 35
- Can You Buy Property in Japan While Living Overseas?
- Real Estate Brokerage Act, Article 37
- Can You Buy Property in Japan While Living Overseas?
- Real Estate Brokerage Act, Article 38
- Can You Cancel After Paying a Deposit? Japan's 'Tetsuke' Earnest-Money Rules
- Real Estate Brokerage Act, Article 39
- Can You Cancel After Paying a Deposit? Japan's 'Tetsuke' Earnest-Money Rules
- Real Estate Brokerage Act, Article 46
- How Much Does Buying a Home in Japan Cost on Top of the Price?
- Real Estate Registration Act, Article 60
- Is the Yen's Move a Buy Signal? What Really Matters When Buying Property in Japan
- Real Estate Transaction Business Act, Art. 34-2
- How Much Is the Agent Fee When Buying in Japan? The Cap and the “3% + ¥60,000” Formula
- Real Estate Transaction Business Act, Art. 46(1)
- How Much Is the Agent Fee When Buying in Japan? The Cap and the “3% + ¥60,000” Formula
- Real Estate Transaction Business Act, Art. 46(2)
- How Much Is the Agent Fee When Buying in Japan? The Cap and the “3% + ¥60,000” Formula
- Real Estate Transaction Business Act, Art. 46(4)
- How Much Is the Agent Fee When Buying in Japan? The Cap and the “3% + ¥60,000” Formula
- Real Estate Transaction Business Act, Article 46
- What Does It Cost Beyond the Price? Closing Costs and Budgeting for a Home in Japan
- Real Property Registration Act, Article 3
- Do Foreigners Need Permanent Residency to Buy a Home in Japan?
- Real Property Registration Act, Article 60
- Can You Buy Property in Japan While Living Overseas?
- Registration and Licence Tax Act, Article 9 and Appended Table I
- How Much Does Buying a Home in Japan Cost on Top of the Price?
- Registration and License Tax Act, Article 9
- What Does It Cost Beyond the Price? Closing Costs and Budgeting for a Home in Japan
- Same Act, Art. 35 (pre-contract disclosure)
- Is a Home Inspection Required When Buying a Used House in Japan?
- Same Act, Art. 37 (document at contract)
- Is a Home Inspection Required When Buying a Used House in Japan?
- Same Act, Art. 6
- Why Are Buyers Asked Where Their Money Comes From? Preparing ID and Transfer Records
- Same Act, Art. 8
- Why Are Buyers Asked Where Their Money Comes From? Preparing ID and Transfer Records
- Stamp Tax Act, Appended Table 1, Item 1
- What Does It Cost Beyond the Price? Closing Costs and Budgeting for a Home in Japan