In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, hosts Joey and Taka sit down with Melanie and Christian, recent buyers through the AkiyaMart Direct Buyers Club. The couple shares their journey from the U.S. to Uno, Okayama, where they purchased and began renovating their dream property.

They talk about what first drew them to Japan, the challenges of navigating the buying process, tackling a major termite infestation, and their vision to transform the home into an artist residency. Along the way, they highlight the importance of community, preparation, and local support.

📸 Check out Melanie and Christian’s project:

• Website: LINK
• Instagram: LINK
• Airbnb listings: [Chicchai Room] LINK | [Sadou Suite]  LINK  [Moonrise Suite] LINK

00:00 – Intro to the AkiyaMart Direct Buyers Club
00:50 – Meet Melanie & Christian
01:11 – Melanie’s Journey to Japan
03:04 – Christian’s Dream of Japan
03:32 – Discovering Japanese Real Estate
06:10 – Choosing Okayama & Uno
12:03 – The Artist Residency Vision
16:30 – The Purchase Process
28:06 – Ryo’s Crucial Role
29:02 – Navigating the Transaction
29:43 – Money Transfer Challenges
30:37 – From Offer to Keys in Hand
33:46 – First Impressions & Initial Challenges
38:28 – Dealing with Termites
45:29 – Community Support & Involvement
50:34 – Advice for Future Buyers
52:01 – Future Plans & Closing Thoughts

Navigating Japan Property and DIY Challenges with AkiyaMart Consultant Jay Horta

In this episode of the Buying A House in Japan Podcast, hosts Take, Joey and Jay, an AkiyaMart consultant, delve into the intricacies of purchasing and renovating properties in Japan. Jay Horta shares his personal experiences with challenging renovations, budgeting tips, and the value of buying in smaller towns. Despite hurdles, including unregistered vehicles and costly home repairs, Jay provides advice on planning, determining a property's purpose, and understanding renovation costs. The conversation also explores the appeal of Japan’s culture, the safety benefits, and life in less-populated areas. Tune in for practical insights and real-life stories on buying a house in Japan.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

00:34 Meet Jay Horta: Background and Experience

01:29 Challenges of Owning Property in Japan

03:27 Jay's Journey to Japan and Cultural Insights

09:44 First Property Purchase: Lessons Learned

17:39 The Van Saga: A Cautionary Tale

23:15 Speed Cameras and Visa Concerns

23:54 Advice for Buying Property in Japan

25:10 Negotiating Property Prices

25:46 Property Features and Renovations

27:48 Budgeting for Property Purchase

33:19 Living in Japan: Safety and Lifestyle

35:35 Visa Challenges and Solutions

37:50 Construction and Renovation Tips

41:53 Preparing for Property Consultations

Website Challenges, Investment Strategies, and the Complexities of Establishing a Japanese Corporation

In this episode of the 'Buying A House in Japan' podcast, hosts Joey and Take discuss various issues and updates. They begin by addressing recent challenges with their website, including issues with scrapers and duplicate listings, and their plans to fix these problems. Next, they provide insights into their Akio property investments and talk about possibly consolidating their assets to invest in a higher-quality property. They also delve into their experiences establishing a Japanese corporation, handling legal documents, and navigating the complex Japanese bureaucracy. The episode wraps up with a discussion on possible future investments and overcoming business challenges in Japan.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:40 Podcast Milestones and Future Plans

01:41 Website Issues and Fixes

05:14 Challenges with Duplicate Listings

09:55 Akiya Bank Listings and Challenges

14:11 Reddit Community Reactions

16:40 Consolidating Akiya Investments

23:54 Travel Logistics and Future Plans

27:01 Wrapping Up and Moving Forward

27:16 Property Updates and Sales Strategy

29:31 Challenges of Starting a Business in Japan

33:30 Navigating Japanese Bureaucracy

40:05 Visa Requirements and Office Space

48:09 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Navigating Japan's Rental Market with Robert.

In this episode of the 'Buying a House in Japan Podcast,' the hosts interview Robert, an AkiyaMart preferred agent, Robert. The conversation delves extensively into the rental market for foreigners in Japan, offering invaluable insights and advice. Robert shares his journey from arriving in Japan in 1984 to becoming a seasoned real estate agent specializing in rental properties for foreigners. They discuss the challenges and nuances of the Japanese rental market, including the importance of having a domestic phone number, bank account, and emergency contact for renting a property. They also tackle topics such as the condition of property listings, the role of the Rains database, and the seldom-discussed potential of leasehold properties. Providing practical advice for prospective renters and buyers, the episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the real estate landscape in Japan.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:35 Meet Robert Sorenson: From Navy to Real Estate

02:48 Challenges and Changes in the Rental Market

05:08 Understanding SOFA Status and Military Rentals

08:18 Photography in Japanese Real Estate Listings

14:20 The Role of Rains in Japanese Real Estate

22:56 Navigating Rental Contracts as a Foreigner

28:02 Navigating the Japanese Rental Market

28:14 Securing a Japanese Phone Number

29:23 Apartment Hunting in Tokyo: Budget Breakdown

34:49 Understanding Guarantor Companies

39:52 Advice for Buying Property in Japan

42:50 Leasehold Properties: A Missed Opportunity?

45:56 Ideal Vacation Homes in Japan

47:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, hosts Take and Joey discuss important updates for their growing listener base. They introduce their new subscription service on AkiyaMart, featuring property alerts, historical sales data, disaster risk filters, and an Airbnb eligibility tool. The conversation also covers various improvements, such as the addition of satellite views and ownership rights filters. Joey shares insights into the complexities of Japanese real estate, the current political climate that might affect foreign property buyers, and personal anecdotes about their brewing interest in active lifestyles and vacation plans. The hosts close by reflecting on their journey and expressing appreciation for user feedback that has helped fine-tune their service.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:26 New Features and Updates

03:11 Espresso Machine Upgrades

07:47 Nagasaki House Sale

09:39 Contractor Challenges

13:50 Japanese Politics and Real Estate

25:03 Future Plans and Travel

28:49 Planning the Koto Trip

29:17 Virtual Assistant Services

30:13 Booking and Travel Tips

31:49 Amazon in Japan

32:50 New Subscription Launch

33:52 Exciting New Features

38:19 Airbnb Eligibility Insights

44:15 Ownership Rights Filter

45:51 Disaster Risk Filters

49:00 Layout and Room Count Filter

55:28 Subscription Plans and Marketing

57:45 Final Thoughts and User Feedback

In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, hosts Joey and Take welcome judicial scrivener Hiro to explain his role in real estate transactions in Japan. Hiro, who has over 26 years of experience, clarifies the difference between a judicial and administrative scrivener and details the complex process of title transfers, emphasizing how his services simplify the procedure for foreigners. The discussion covers topics like inheritance laws, the required documentation for property purchases, and the potential risks of not using a judicial scrivener. Hiro also shares insights about his personal journey into the profession and the importance of working with knowledgeable professionals in the real estate market.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts

00:44 Understanding the Role of a Judicial Scrivener

01:00 Meet Hiro: Our Judicial Scrivener

01:48 The Real Estate Transaction Process

03:53 Hiro's Journey to Becoming a Judicial Scrivener

07:04 Specializations and Services of Judicial Scriveners

08:15 The Importance of Using a Judicial Scrivener

10:16 Document Requirements and Identity Verification

20:03 Inheritance and Real Estate in Japan

24:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of the Buying A House in Japan Podcast, the team—Erik, Joey, and Take—reunite to discuss critical steps and considerations for purchasing property in Japan. They cover a wide range of topics from setting up a Wise.com account for seamless fund transfers, understanding the cultural and logistical differences in rural Japan, to tempering expectations on the transaction timeline. Eric highlights the importance of a vision board for your ideal property, Joey emphasizes having extra cash on hand and dealing with Japan’s unique bureaucratic challenges, while Take stresses the need for energy and flexibility in this process. The episode also touches on the implications of Japan's current political climate on foreign property buyers and underscores the importance of having realistic expectations. Overall, the discussion provides practical tips for anyone serious about buying a house in Japan.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:49 Morning Coffee Rituals

02:46 Current Events in Japan

03:54 Political Climate and Real Estate

09:30 Six Things to Know Before Buying Property in Japan

21:55 Defining Your Dream Home

22:28 The Vision Board Approach

22:49 Real Estate Search Success Story

23:52 Visa Challenges and Realities

25:13 Navigating Japanese Bureaucracy

29:16 Energy and Commitment Required

35:09 Financial Preparedness

37:32 Final Tips and Encouragement

In this episode of the Buying A House in Japan Podcast, Joey and Take reflect on their ongoing journey of purchasing homes in Japan over the past two and a half years. Joey shares his globetrotting adventures from Halifax to various parts of Japan and California. The hosts discuss the challenges and triumphs of maintaining multiple properties, including the importance of road access, weather conditioning, and overall project management. They also explore potential new projects like container homes, and reflect on the enjoyment and struggles with their current AKIYA houses. Despite acknowledging the immense effort required for such undertakings, both Joey and TKE express their satisfaction with owning homes in Japan and consider future possibilities.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:35 Reflecting on Past Episodes

02:24 Current Locations and Recent Travels

03:19 Driving Adventures in Japan

05:37 Traveling with Elderly Parents

10:18 Exploring Karuizawa

13:59 Exploring a Potential Property Project

15:05 Challenges of Maintaining Multiple Properties

17:27 Considering New Property Projects

18:47 Review of Kazaa and Local Attractions

19:49 Unexpected Earthquake Prediction

21:24 Vehicle Registration and Maintenance

22:50 House Maintenance Tips and Challenges

27:07 Reflecting on Property Investments

28:33 Future Property Aspirations

In this episode of the 'Buying a House in Japan' podcast, the hosts discuss the latest updates on their property renovations. Current challenges include overgrown gardens that need immediate attention, and house interiors that are mostly complete, except for outdated kitchens and treacherous staircases. They reflect on the progress made so far and outline next steps for achieving a fully polished property.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:43 House Maintenance Priorities

01:31 Garden Overhaul

04:13 Indoor Renovations and Kitchen Talk

07:21 Shower Experience

11:25 Property Investment Insights

13:37 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, the hosts celebrate their final in-person recording before switching to remote sessions. They reflect on their time together, especially Joey's recent experiences in Otaru, Japan—a place known for its cold weather, stunning scenery, and surprisingly excellent food scene, including standout Neapolitan pizza. Joey updates listeners on a property purchase in Otaru—a duplex with significant potential for Airbnb rentals or personal use. The discussion spans topics from the challenges of snow removal to the unique architecture of the area. They touch on the real estate market trends in Japan and introduce new features on their Amart platform, including sold data for better market insights. Exciting travel plans and personal anecdotes round out this episode, offering a blend of real estate advice, travel tips, and culinary delights.

00:00 A Bold Pizza Claim

00:24 Podcast Reunion and Future Plans

00:41 California Vibes and Sauna Mornings

01:14 Travel Tales: From Indonesia to Hokkaido

01:53 Property Purchase in Otaru

04:13 Exploring Otaru: Scenic Train Rides and Cold Weather

07:25 Otaru's Food Scene: From Seafood to Pizza

11:37 Challenges of Buying Property in Otaru

13:36 Exploring Dual-Purpose Living Spaces

14:22 Property Condition and Necessary Updates

15:25 Amart Seal of Approval: Nagasaki and Beyond

17:37 Real Estate Trends and Market Insights

21:08 Travel Plans and Personal Stories

26:27 New Features and Future Plans for Amart