Happy New Year from Tama Base Camp! This week, Take and Joey discuss the decision to focus on having a more suburban Tokyo retreat vs a more lively, but maybe more draining, HQ in central Tokyo. They highlight the benefits of Tama, including the space, tranquility, and amenities, along with the importance of having a reliable property  manager. They also reveal current plans for the future of Tama Base Camp and where their focus is shifting in Japan overall.

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

01:46 Welcome to the Podcast

02:25 Exploring Tama Base Camp

06:02 Unlocking Local Amenities

12:25 Future Plans for Tama Base Camp

22:28 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Welcome to the last episode of 2025! This week, Joey and Take reflect on their predictions from one year ago and share their hopes for 2026. Turns out some things worked out as predicted  but not exactly in the way they thought and other things didn't materialize. However, the team had a great year overall. Their portfolio is starting to take shape. AkiyaMart is growing. The journey continues. 

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

01:51 Welcome to Our First Video Podcast

03:49 Property Highlights and Success Stories

08:20 The Nagasaki Flip: A Success Story

12:14 Otaru Property and Future Plans

16:33 Coin Laundry Business Venture

24:59 Market Dynamics and Foreign Interest

29:26 Government Policies and Their Impact

35:05 Hot Property Areas in 2025

39:47 Personal Real Estate Ventures

43:48 Wrapping Up 2025 and Looking Ahead

After 3 weeks, several ferries, and a lot driving all over Japan, from Niigata to southern Shikoku, Take and Joey sit down to recap their journey. This time, they're coming to you from the parking lot at Kochi Airport, mere minutes before Take was set to fly back to California. They recap all that has gone down in these three weeks, from the prospect of setting up tiny homes, to visiting the coin laundry in Tama, to the prospects of areas like Kochi and Kaifu. They also touch on some recent news and talk about their hopes for an upcoming trip back to Japan early next year.

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

Wanna get in touch? Drop us a line at [email protected].

01:01 Podcast Welcome

13:36 Surfing in Japan: Is It Worth It?

15:15 Tiny Homes vs. Renovating AKI: Pros and Cons

19:59 Bear Attacks in Japan: A Growing Concern

22:49 Travel Tips and Favorite Moments

26:01 Upcoming Trips and Future Plans

28:17 Conclusion and Contact Information

This week, friend of the show and AkiyaMart Direct Consultant Erik drops by  to discuss his upcoming relocation to Niigata! The group covers Erik's process and the challenges of moving to Japan. Plus, he touches on the prospects of managing three houses in Japan, including his recently purchased $69 akiya. Come for the conversation, stay to hear practical advice for folks considering a similar move.

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

01:20 Podcast Introduction and Guest Introductions

05:06 Exploring the New Neighborhood

12:36 Visa Application Challenges

17:39 Shipping a Classic Car to Japan

21:07 Joey's Car Adventures in Hawaii

27:48 Visa Process and Moving Preparations

30:49 Advice for Moving to Japan

32:25 Comparing Housing Options in Japan

35:46 Final Thoughts and Farewells

Take and Joey are coming to you this week from Tosashimizu in Shikoku, where they visited perhaps the most unique akiya they've ever seen: An American-Japanese hybrid style house surrounded by dense jungle with beach access.  They discuss the house's features, including Japanese tea ceremony rooms and an American kitchen imported from San Diego. The property also includes a three-car garage made from a shipping container, koi ponds, stone benches, and even a pizza oven. Most intriguing though is the home's trans-Pacific backstory. This home has been on an adventure and there's more to come for whoever purchases this property.

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

00:39 Welcome to the Podcast

00:56 Exploring Kochi Prefecture

03:58 Discovering the Abandoned House

05:00 First Impressions of the House

08:12 Unique Features and Challenges

14:11 Condition and Renovation Needs

16:46 Assessing the Condition of the House

17:09 American vs. Japanese Building Standards

18:31 Renovation Plans and Costs

19:42 Exploring the Outdoor Area

27:04 Discovering the Private Beach

29:03 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

34:23 Conclusion and Contact Information

This week, Take and Joey are coming to you from Shikoku after hopping a ferry from Tokyo down to Tokushima. This time around, they cover all the recent news in Japan, from bears to the new Prime Minister. Joey shares his newfound habit of reading The Japan Times for the latest updates. They also give a detailed account of their visit to a  well-designed surf house and the unique charm and challenges of Shikoku's smaller towns. 

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

00:31 Welcome to Shikoku

04:04 Japanese News Highlights

07:56 Business Manager Visa Changes

10:45 Political Shifts in Japan

14:43 Impact of Yen Fluctuations

17:02 Trip Impressions and Ferry Experience

21:37 Exploring Kaifu and Surfing Challenges

30:40 Reflections on Shikoku and Future Plans

33:18 Wrapping Up and Call to Action

This week, Take is flying solo but he's in good company! Jon, an early AMD client, shares his story of going from akiya-curious to successfully purchasing a vacation home for his family in Kitakaruizawa. Jon details his experience and collaboration with the team from start to finish, including overcoming initial doubts, navigating the Japanese real estate process, surviving his first encounter with snow, and setting up the property as an Airbnb. 

Speaking of which, you too can stay in Jon's forest retreat the next time you visit Japan!

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

01:35 The Journey to Buying a House in Japan

04:38 The Search for the Perfect Property

06:43 Choosing the Right Location

09:36 The Buying Process and Challenges

14:33 Finalizing the Purchase

19:19 First Impressions of the New Home

21:37 Exploring Rural Beauty

22:10 Arriving at the Villa

24:01 Challenges with the Cold

26:32 Insulation and Heating Solutions

29:19 Family Adventures and Future Plans

31:45 Setting Up the Airbnb

35:19 Airbnb Success and Reflections

37:16 Advice for Future Buyers

38:53 Conclusion and Gratitude

On this episode, recorded live from their home in Myoko, Take and Joey reflect on the past year in the life of the property. They discuss the challenges, half-chances, and eventual new life for this property in Myoko. If you caught last week's episode about Ikigai Collective, this week they dive a bit deeper into their plans to collaborate on the transformation of this property.

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:48 Impressions of the Property

01:48 Background and Purchase Details

07:10 Challenges and Initial Plans

11:11 New Partnership and Future Plans

15:16 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

18:52 Conclusion and Call to Action

This week, we're joined by Mitch, the founder of Ikigai Collective, a company specializing in building luxury tiny homes. Mitch shares his journey of moving to Japan, his passion for building, and how he integrates the concept of 'Ikigai'—a Japanese philosophy meaning 'purpose for being'—into his business. Additionally, Mitch talks about his engagement with the local community, including the building of a community skate park. The episode offers a comprehensive look at the nuances of  constructing tiny homes in Japan, the importance of community engagement, and the rewarding experiences that come with pursuing one's passion.

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

01:07 Meet Mitch from Ikigai Collective

02:11 Building Tiny Homes in Japan

06:50 Living and Working in Nozawa Onsen

12:07 Tiny Homes as a Business

16:37 Technical Aspects of Tiny Homes

23:22 Tiny House Industry in Japan

27:10 A to Z Service for Tiny Homes

32:19 Community Involvement and Skate Park

37:08 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Coming to you from Tama Base Camp, Joey and Take welcome special guest Ryan, the representative director of AkiyaMart in Japan, to talk about what's going on with the laundromat purchase in Tama. They delve into details about the financial aspects, potential improvements, and unique challenges of the Japanese real estate and business market. 

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.

00:46 Ryan's Background and Role

02:57 Navigating Business in Japan

05:14 M&A Process and Challenges

09:29 Facility and Operational Concerns

11:29 Future Plans and Improvements

14:08 Identifying the Target Customer

19:19 Financial Analysis and Lease Details

21:12 Final Thoughts and Next Steps