{"id":101024,"date":"2023-07-26T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.kinsta.cloud\/?p=99531"},"modified":"2025-10-10T16:42:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T07:42:01","slug":"buying-property-in-japan-as-a-foreigner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/buying-property-in-japan-as-a-foreigner\/","title":{"rendered":"A beginner\u2019s guide to buying property in Japan as a foreigner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated October 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever considered buying an apartment or a holiday home in Japan? Buying property in Japan as a foreigner can seem daunting, but it is an achievable dream and can be a good investment if you are planning to stay in Japan long term. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will discuss how to get started on your property ownership journey, some rules and restrictions to be mindful of, and a quick rundown on the associated costs of buying property in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also important to mention that we are not experts on the matter, so we strongly recommend getting professional advice from an experienced real estate broker in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Getting started with buying property in Japan<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A foreigner can buy property in Japan just as a Japanese national can. This is also true for buying the land the property building sits on. This means there are <\/span>no restrictions on visa status when buying property<\/b> in Japan. Furthermore, there are no expiration dates for the rights to property or real estate, and it is possible to freely buy, sell, and inherit property among foreigners in Japan. You also pay the same amount of tax as a Japanese national would.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this sounds nice and easy on the face of it, there could be a huge hurdle when it comes to securing a home loan in Japan, which we will explain a bit further down.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Japan currently places no restrictions on foreigners purchasing real estate, non-residents may need to report their property purchase under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA). This applies mainly to certain types of transactions, such as commercial or large-scale property investments, and must be filed with the Ministry of Finance via the Bank of Japan within 20 days of purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have also been occasional discussions about regulating foreign ownership of land near sensitive sites, but as of 2025 no nationwide restrictions are in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These things are subject to change so make sure to check the latest information<\/strong> with a real estate broker in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Required documents<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The documents you need when buying property in Japan are straightforward. If you don\u2019t have residency in Japan, all you need is a proof of identity (for example a passport) and an affidavit to validate your ID.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Affidavits must be certified by a notary public in your home country, or by your country\u2019s embassy in Japan. It\u2019s recommended to obtain an affidavit before arriving in Japan to buy property, in case you aren\u2019t able to get one when you\u2019re in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are a Japanese resident (for example, if you are in Japan on a student or working visa), you need to prepare: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n