The market and contracts are in Japanese. Here is the essential vocabulary (from buying to traditional architecture) to read a listing and talk to an agent.
Listings are rarely translated. Here are the go-to sites to explore the market: a bilingual agent also unlocks the off-market.
Be wary of English-language middleman portals (realestate.co.jp, Japan Real Estate…): they are intermediaries whose priority is to sell, not to defend your interests.
Contact the seller instead: in practice, almost always their agency (very professional), which gives you all the information. They only speak Japanese: lean on AI to phrase your requests.
Always ask for: the exact address, the condition of the property, detailed income figures, and anything specific to the location.
Each market has its own dynamics, prices and rental potential. Here are our favourite grounds.
Premium market, maximum resale liquidity, continuous rental demand.
Attractive yields, booming market, more affordable floor areas.
Traditional machiya, strong tourist pressure, rare heritage properties.
The most dynamic regional market, young demographics and gentle entry prices.
Snow tourism, seasonal rental, one of the lowest entry tickets.
Resort & seaside, niche market with strong short-term rental potential.
Mountains & ski (Hakuba, Nozawa): seasonal demand and international guests.
Buying a machiya or a kominka means inheriting a craft: timber frame, paper screens, tiled roofs. The codes to recognise before you visit.
Old farmhouse, large hipped roof
Narrow townhouse with wooden lattice
Sliding screen of washi paper
Wooden veranda between inside and garden
Kyoto's wooden townhouse: centuries-old craftsmanship, now rare and highly coveted.
The kyomachiya is one of the most coveted properties in Japan.
Well renovated, especially in Gion, it commands very high rents: the equivalent of a luxury villa.
The fine wooden slats of the façade: they filter light and prying eyes, and each trade had its own pattern.
The clay-coated grille window upstairs: it airs the house while protecting it from fire.
The curved bamboo guard at the foot of the façade, protecting the wood from rain splashes.
The packed-earth passage running from the street to the back of the house: the kitchen stood there.
The miniature inner garden that brings light and coolness to the heart of the house.
The air shaft above the kitchen: smoke and heat rise into the exposed roof frame.
The chest staircase where every step is a drawer or a cupboard: storage for a narrow house.
The small guardian statue on the eaves, believed to ward off evil spirits from the home.
Answer a few questions (2 minutes): the full guide opens right away, the 7-step method, real price ranges and the pitfalls to avoid.