Real Estate
Guides to renting and buying property in Japan, with approximate costs and area overviews.
7 guides
Property Guide
As of 7 November 2026, foreign nationals can buy land and buildings in Japan. Since 5 October 2026, every new individual owner must give their nationality at registration, and a bill to tighten rules on land important for national security is under discussion in the Diet. Budget for brokerage, registration tax, acquisition tax and yearly fixed asset tax.
Property Guide
Indicative, checked 7 November 2026 (official 2023 survey): in 2023 the average rent paid by renting households in Osaka City was ¥61,704 a month, from ¥47,270 in Taisho ward to ¥77,502 in Tennoji. That is about a third less than Tokyo's 23 wards. The median commute in the Kinki area was 34.8 minutes, ten minutes shorter than in the Kanto area.
Property Guide
Indicative, checked 7 November 2026 (official 2023 survey): in 2023 the average rent paid by renting households in Nagoya was ¥59,224 a month, from ¥41,983 in Minato ward to ¥71,613 in Naka ward. The median commute in the Chukyo area was 28.4 minutes, much shorter than Tokyo or Osaka. Check where your workplace is first: it may be outside the city.
Property Guide
Indicative, checked 7 November 2026 (official 2023 survey): in 2023 the average rent paid by renting households in Fukuoka City was ¥56,424 a month, from ¥49,704 in Jonan ward to ¥64,382 in Chuo ward. The median commute in the Kitakyushu–Fukuoka area was 26.5 minutes, among the shortest of Japan's big city areas in the survey.
Property Guide
Indicative, checked 7 November 2026 (official 2023 survey): in 2023 the average rent paid by renting households in Tokyo's 23 wards was ¥93,579 a month, from ¥65,958 in Adachi to ¥192,525 in Minato. Cities just outside, such as Kawaguchi, Funabashi and Matsudo, were close to the cheaper outer wards. Rent per tatami falls with distance from the centre, but the typical commute gets longer.
Property Guide
Japanese lenders look at your age at the end of the loan, health, income, years in your job and repayment ratio, and many also consider nationality or residence status. The government-backed Flat 35 requires Japanese nationality, permanent residence or special permanent residence. Without permanent residence, expect fewer options and more questions.
Property Guide
Japan had 9.0 million vacant homes in 2023, 13.8% of all homes. Many towns list them on akiya banks, and some are very cheap, but repairs, earthquake-proofing, taxes and fees can cost far more than the price. Since 2023, a neglected vacant house can lose its land tax relief.
