Buying a House in Japan

In this episode, the hosts wrap up their 10-day content creation spree across Japan and share 10 key insights from their experiences. They discuss their intensive schedule, including meetings with agents, checking out properties, and attending conferences. Key insights include observations about Japan's beauty, opportunities for foreigners, the abundance of empty houses, economic challenges, falling behind technologically, swindling experiences, the convoluted rental market, and opportunities in smaller cities like Beppu. The episode concludes with their reflections and gratitude for the journey.

00:00 Introduction and Trip Recap

01:03 Journey Through Japan: Highlights and Challenges

03:15 10 Insights from Our Japan Experience

03:43 Insight 1: Japan's Beauty and Infrastructure

04:42 Insight 2: Opportunities in Japan

06:29 Insight 3: The Akiya Problem

08:20 Insight 4: Economic Realities in Japan

10:18 Insight 5: Technological Stagnation

12:51 Insight 6: Real Estate Knowledge Gap

15:14 Insight 7: Tokyo Swindlers

18:08 Insight 8: Rental Market Opportunities

20:15 Insight 9: Prefabricated Homes

22:26 Insight 10: Trusting Your Gut in Investments

24:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the 'Buying a House in Japan' podcast, hosts Joey and Take recount their experiences over the past 10 days, highlighting the ongoing renovation of their first Akiya in Beppu, dubbed Jisoji Lux. They discuss the ups and downs of refurbishment, including their interactions with their contractor, Sato san. From initial high hopes to the unexpected challenges—such as communication issues, construction delays, and Sato's personal problems including legal troubles—Joey and Take share insights and lessons learned about managing renovation projects remotely. They reflect on the quality and potential of 1970s Japanese homes, the importance of setting realistic expectations, and consider different strategies for future renovations.  

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 

00:37 Our First Akiya: Jisoji Lux 

01:41 Favorite Features of the House 

03:36 Challenges and Renovation Insights 

06:36 The Custom Shower Dilemma 

13:35 Reflections on Japanese Homes 

18:54 Contractor Drama Unfolds

 28:41 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

Join Mika, Jesse, and their dog Pancake in this episode of the "Buying a House in Japan" podcast as they share their journey from Canada to Japan’s countryside. From converting a traditional Japanese house into a cozy, rustic home, to adjusting to rural life and learning blacksmithing, they open up about the joys and challenges of their new life. Perfect for dreamers, doers, and those curious about alternative lifestyles, this episode is a deep dive into what it takes to build a community and a dream in a foreign land.

Find our guests here:
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00:00 Introduction and Special Guests

02:09 Journey to Japan: From Teaching to Blacksmithing

05:50 Living in the Japanese Countryside

11:20 Challenges and Community Integration

22:29 Breaking Barriers in Community Involvement

26:47 Gardening as a Community Icebreaker

28:47 Challenges of Rural Living

32:29 The Search for a Permanent Home

In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, recorded live from Niigata's Lyme Hotel, hosts chat with Matt Guy, a Japan travel expert who transitioned from Fremont, California, to Myoko, Japan. Matt shares his journey of purchasing and renovating a $6,000 house, tackling challenges such as winter heating, insulation, and snow maintenance. The discussion delves into practical aspects of Japanese real estate, banking, and community integration. Matt also offers cultural insights, detailing local events, communal snow clearing efforts, language learning experiences, and enjoying local attractions like hot springs and dinosaur museums. This episode provides valuable information on adapting to rural Japanese life and the unique rewards and challenges it presents.

00:00 Why I Moved to Japan

00:31 Special Guest Introduction

01:53 First Impressions of the House

02:38 Challenges of Snow in Miyoko

04:01 Journey to Miyoko

09:24 Buying a House in Japan

11:03 Renovation Experiences

17:35 Community and Neighbors

23:38 Finding the Perfect Property

29:44 Navigating the Purchase Process

30:53 Challenges of Japanese Banking

32:36 First Winter and Renovation Challenges

34:52 Snow Maintenance Tips

39:44 Winter Road Conditions

41:47 Natural Disasters in Japan

45:39 Exploring Japan's Ski Areas

55:51 Living in Japan: Community and Culture

58:28 Outro and Social Media

AkiyaMart sits down with Ron and Hide-san, two experts navigating Japan's complex real estate landscape. From starting a business to helping foreigners find homes in Nagoya, they share the ups and downs of real estate investments, their personal journeys from MMA to international business, and why they believe Japan’s hidden properties are treasures waiting to be uncovered. 

00:15 Introduction and Dream Home Discussion

00:34 Meet the Hosts and Special Guests

01:23 Journey to Real Estate in Nagoya

15:01 Challenges and Opportunities for Foreign Buyers

24:49 Navigating Japanese Real Estate Challenges

26:23 Foreigners and Housing in Nagoya

29:38 Investment Strategies and Market Insights

46:55 Dream Homes and Final Thoughts

Ron

Hide

In this episode of the 'Buying a House in Japan' podcast, hosts Take and Joey converse with Catherine, the first successful customer of the AkiyaMart Direct process, and real estate agent Yoshi Chatani. Catherine discusses her transition from Las Vegas to Tama, Japan, driven by her passion for Sanrio and Hello Kitty. They delve into the home-buying process, tackle challenges like international money transfers via OFX and Wise, and emphasize the significance of patience and property location near landmarks. Catherine provides valuable advice for future buyers and expresses her eagerness to explore Puroland.

00:00 Introduction to the New Series

00:43 Special Guests and Their Stories

01:53 Catherine's Journey to Buying a House in Japan

02:44 The Buying Process and Challenges

04:30 Finding the Perfect Condo

05:36 Details About the New Condo

08:29 Reflections on the Buying Experience

10:17 Finding the Perfect Home

11:26 The Offer and Payment Process

12:00 Navigating Payment Challenges

17:32 Advice for Future Buyers

18:40 Exploring the New Neighborhood

19:28 Heading to Puroland

In this episode, hosts Take and Joey talk with Koen Klinkers from Front Office Tokyo about the challenges and practices in Japanese real estate. Koen shares insights on bank limitations for old homes, cultural preferences for new builds, and unique architectural practices in Japan. The discussion covers renovation challenges, insulation issues, and using CLT in construction. Koen also offers advice on contractor management, drawing importance, and communicates his architectural journey and experiences.

Link to Frontoffice Tokyo: https://frontofficetokyo.com/

00:00 Introduction to Japanese Real Estate Challenges

00:31 Meet the Guest: Koen Klinkers

00:55 Koen's Journey and Architectural Insights

01:49 The Tokyo Real Estate Cycle

05:06 Architectural Projects and Client Stories

08:00 Renovation Challenges and Solutions

13:45 Insulation and Energy Efficiency in Japan

21:16 The Appeal and Reality of Akiya

24:10 Banking Obstacles in Renovation

27:40 Finding the Right Carpenter

28:21 Contractor Experiences in Beppu

29:20 Challenges with Japanese Contractors

30:41 Payment Strategies and Trust Building

33:36 Importance of Clear Agreements

40:15 Painting and Finishing Touches

42:34 Exploring Architectural Styles

47:42 Sustainable Building Practices

48:45 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, hosts Joey and Take record live from Tama Base Camp in Tokyo, bringing exciting updates on their real estate ventures. They discuss their new house at Tama, successful delivery of items via a Japanese phone number, and an exciting Mikoko ski property acquisition bought for a mere 3,500 USD due to its proximity to a graveyard. They address renovation challenges, such as dealing with an unreliable contractor in their Beppu property renovations, sharing advice and lessons learned. The complexities of securing services like renovation and property management in Japan as foreigners are candidly discussed, with insights on leveraging local strategies for real estate bidding. They also provide practical tips on getting a Japanese phone number to simplify various logistics like deliveries. The episode wraps up with a brief mention of the hosts' speaking engagement at an upcoming Japan Real Estate Summit.

Japan Real Estate Summit: https://www.realestate.jp/

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:24 Recording Live from Tama Base Camp

00:38 Navigating Japanese Delivery and Phone Numbers

00:59 Diary Series and Tokyo Updates

01:07 Journey to the New House

01:48 Property Updates and Reflections

03:22 Exciting News: New Car License Plate

03:54 Sake Suite Renovation Plans

05:10 Off-Market Deal in Miyoko Ski Country

10:50 Challenges with Kitakyushu Property

13:17 Drama with Beppu Property Renovation

20:16 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

In this episode of 'Buying a House in Japan,' hosts Joey and Take are joined by Erik Buhrow, who shares his experience of purchasing a home in Niigata Prefecture using the Aki Mart Direct program. Discussing the challenges and adventures of buying a property in Japan, Eric's story involves overcoming misconceptions about foreign ownership, navigating the logistics of registering utilities, and arranging cultural traditions like a Shinto blessing. His background in construction and love for Japanese culture and cars adds rich detail to his journey, providing insightful advice for prospective buyers. Eric emphasizes patience, the importance of location and passion, and turning this unique homebuying process into a fulfilling adventure.

00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts

00:30 Welcome to Buying a House in Japan

01:07 Meet Eric Burrow

01:42 Eric's House Purchase Experience

02:28 Insurance and Costs Breakdown

05:49 Why Niigata Prefecture?

10:21 Eric's Love for Cars

13:00 The Car Buying Process in Japan

18:51 Business Plans and Future Visions

21:39 The Home Buying Journey

24:45 Reflecting on the Journey

24:59 Roofing and Renovation Insights

26:04 Unexpected Challenges and Decisions

27:34 Client Experiences and Advice

29:54 Financial Transactions and Tips

31:29 Navigating Japanese Real Estate

32:07 Cultural Considerations and Trash Management

36:32 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Get your Japan Real Estate Summit Tickets here: https://summit.realestate.jp/
Ziv's Podcast: Japan Real Estate Podcast
Nippon Tradings International: https://nippontradings.com/

In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, hosts Take and Joey welcome back highly requested guest Ziv Nakajima from Nippon Trainings International. They discuss the complexities of purchasing property in Japan, Ziv's personal journey in real estate, and insights into various market trends. The conversation also covers the upcoming Japan Real Estate Summit, featuring a diverse array of speakers and cutting-edge workshops. Additionally, the hosts delve into Ziv's personal and professional experiences, exploring his advice for prospective investors and the evolving landscape of Japanese real estate.  

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 

00:48 Ziv Nakajima's Background and Real Estate Journey 

02:50 Resources and Networking in Japanese Real Estate 

05:16 Upcoming Japan Real Estate Summit

 10:10 Challenges in Japanese Real Estate: Tenant Issues 

15:21 Trends and Opportunities in Japanese Real Estate 

18:50 Investing in Japanese Real Estate 

20:07 Exploring Thai Real Estate Opportunities 

21:24 Understanding the Right Fit for Low-Cost Properties 

23:32 Buying and Selling Businesses in Japan 

24:48 Personal Insights and Reflections 

31:22 Daily Routines and Productivity Tips

 34:09 Upcoming Summit and AkiyaMart Features