[Commented on a video commissioned by “Cheap Houses Japan” – who make a great round up on Instagram etc. about low-cost but mostly ready to move into houses in Japan and have a subscription based newsletter which is totally worthwhile if you’re actually interested in this topic rather than just speculating about running away from your country you don’t know how to so quite yet – and made by a company doing real estate services based out of Kyushu – the video should go here but I can’t find it and there’s 8000 other videos about buying “akiya” or abandoned/unused houses in Japan and all kinds of renovation stories, horror stories, and loads of grifters with shocking thumbnails talking about flipping houses]
so blerg here’s my notes for the record:
“Great practical information… Can I add a few notes?
If you are moving into a new area, very important to go around to the neighboring houses, give a formal introduction and bring a gift (there are certain protocols of what is appropriate gift)
What seems like “basic things” are really a big deal in Japanese neighborhoods like: the protocols for sorting trash and recycling, attendance and participation in community cleanup projects, contributions to festivals and other activities
If you’re not familiar with Japanese language and culture, very important to start your Japan life in a slightly more populated but smaller city… I’m a big fan of the “Minor provincial cities” which are big enough to have transportation links, immigration offices (you’ll thank me for this later), and for foreigners not being a big shock but, not being so common that you can get away with being in a “foreigner bubble” once you get some language skills, some cultural understanding and decide which area of the magnificent archipelago really appeals to you, you can take your time to find your perfect place
About the very important point of “hiring local staff to manage your short term rental” keep in mind there’s not a glut of young eager easily employable population in Japan. Especially in areas outside of the “big three”and these people are expecting a proper job not a casual side hustle for the most part
Regarding transportation link: the cheaper the house the more likely it is to be away from train and bus routes and if the house is located in a city, does not necessarily include parking spaces. and drivers license transition is a complicated situation in some cases depending on where you’re coming from. Can take months to do it and several times going through tests. Also car ownership is a little bit of a different situation with mandatory “inspections” which are not just cheap and cheerful but rather expensive and comprehensive tests for cars over 10 years old.
So, having access to bus service or train service is critical for taking care of the logistics of life (shopping, post office, etc.) Postal Service and shipping is fantastic but the farther away you are from centers, of course the more complicated this gets
Also, if you’re moving from abroad with kids, it is possible but my goodness, there’s a lot of parental participation in schools and, aside from a few very distinct areas (places with factories employing a lot of foreign workers and some core areas of Tokyo/Kyoto) Your child will likely be the only international in the school which is conducted entirely in Japanese obviously. There are international schools but those are centered in certain cities and extremely expensive and cure to high wealth individuals and/or children of diplomats, executive foreign workers and so on
The idea of “swoop in” buying a bunch of cheap properties and expecting they will just go up in value naturally is full hardy. If your property is left with weeds growing, and maintain, you quickly realize the problems with mold/mildew, rot, bamboo growing through floors (seriously) and all kinds of pests settling into your country house. The older houses are all made of natural materials, and are designed to “breathe” and do not have a poured concrete foundation… All these means that the houses require all kinds of maintenance and simply to be lived in in order to be kept up.
Final note: in many cases, vacant/abandoned houses are sold with “all the previous owners stuff/crap “left inside and, disposal/dumping is complicated and can be rather expensive as well as a huge project. You might think you’ll come across some great antique treasures, you’re gonna be cleaning out junk – so again, if this is your first house purchase in Japan, you’re probably better off buying a “ready to go” house (which still can be obtained a very reasonable price compared to many other countries) in a delightful smaller city and living for a spell to see if this is for you.
I have more to say about visas but I’ve already said too much for now :-)”
[I should put a picture of a house here or something or some links to a few other reasonable videos but hey, it’s not like anyone is reading along, or what, you are :-) what a gem]
ok just two so i don’t misplace
about getting a minpaku (like in keeper/B&B operator) license – from a conference so lousy audio quality
and from the delightful Peter Barakan and NHK’s Japanology “New Roles for Vacant Homes” although this YouTube link might be handier
