In this installment of the “what can you buy” series, by popular request, we take a look at properties around Japan that would be suitable for a vacation home or “work-from-home” property! The target price point is ¥16,000,000 (¥16,000,000 ($147,000 USD), or preferable much less.

To put this price point in perspective:

• In June, the average listing price of a pre-owned condominium in the greater Tokyo area rose 12.2% year-on-year to reach ¥41,140,000 ($375,000 USD) in June, eclipsing the previous record just set in May of ¥40,440,000.
• The average sales price of a newly constructed apartment in greater Tokyo  in June was ¥62,110,000 ($567,000 USD), down 2.8% year-on-year.
• Please see this article for the average price of a pre-owned apartment in Japan, by prefecture.

After the examples, we give answers to FAQs about buying property in Japan as a foreigner.

Do any of these “let’s get away” properties seem appealing? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

1R Small House for Sale in Kyoto — 31-sqm (333 sqft) house, 12-min walk to Kyoto Station!

Listing price: ¥15,000,000 ($136,000 USD)

Location: Very central location, 7-min walk from Toji Station, 12- min walk to Kyoto Station

Property Highlights

• 30.01 m² (322-sqft) 1R layout
• Renovated in 2014 by the current owner. All plumbing newly installed in kitchen and bathroom, new bathtub, wash stand and toilet. Roof tiles and wall paper replaced.
• This is a well-maintained property, read for move-in.
• Could be purchased as an investment property or your second home.
• To see the full listing, please click on any of the images below or visit the property detail page.

4LDK Apartment for Sale in Hamamatsu-shi — Penthouse apartment with panoramic views of Lake Hamana

Listing price: ¥16,000,000 ($145,000 USD)

Location: Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. The property is about a 30-min drive by car to Hamamatsu Station.

Hamamatsu is a seaside city (population 791,000) in western Shizuoka prefecture, located about 80-km southwest of the city of Shizuoka and about 260-km south of Tokyo (about a 1-hour 40-minute trip on the Tokaido shinkansen).

The city has an abundance of outdoor attractions due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and a river, freshwater lake, mountains, and an onsen (hot springs) resort. Lake Hamana is one of Japan’s best freshwater lakes for activities like swimming, fishing, sailing, and windsurfing. There is also a dedicated 48-km bicycle path that winds around the lake.

Property Highlights

• 148.07 m² 4LDK (4-bedroom) maisonette-style (2-floor) apartment
• This is a penthouse unit with panoramic views of Lake Hamana on the east side and Lake Inohana on the west side.
• To see the full listing, please click on any of the images below or visit the property detail page.

2LDK Apartment in Katsuura-shi, Chiba — Pacific ocean views, 3.5km from Moriya Beach

Listing price: ¥10,800,000 ($98,000 USD)

Location: Katsuura, Chiba, 10-minute by car to Katsuura Station.

Katsuura is a coastal city on Japan’s Boso Peninsula known for its fishing ports, where fish are unloaded and auctioned.

The property is in a great location for enjoying outdoor activities. Moriya Beach is about 8-minutes by car (about 3.5-km) and Tokyu Golf Course is about 3-minutes away by car (about 1.4-km).

Property Highlights

• 59.40 m² 2LDK (2-bedroom apartment)
• 2nd-floor apartment in 14-story building
• Ocean views from living room and bathroom.
• To see the full listing, please click on any of the images below or visit the property detail page.

1LDK Apartment in Tennoji, Osaka — 20-min walk to Dotonbori

Listing price: ¥14,800,000 ($134,000 USD)

Location: Tennoji, Osaka. 4-min walk from Tanimachi Kyu Chome Station on the Tanimachi line.

About a 1.8-km (20-minute) walk to Dotonbori!

Property Highlights

• 46-sqm 1LDK (1-bedroom) 2nd-floor apartment
• To see the full listing, please click on any of the images below or visit the property detail page.

1LDK Apartment in Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko — List price ¥7,500,000 ($68,000USD)

Listing price: ¥7,500,000 ($68,000 USD)

Location: Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko. About 5-min drive by car to Kinugawa Onsen Station on the Tobu Kinugawa line.

Nikko is a mountain town located in Tochigi prefecture, about 150-km north or about a two hour and forty minute train ride from Tokyo. It is a popular resort destination for Tokyo residents. The area is known for its natural hot springs, spectacular forests and waterfalls and for the many shrines and temples dotting the landscape.

Nikko is also home to Toshogu, the Shinto shrine established in 1617 as a memorial for Tokugawa Ieyasu, founding ruler of the Tokugawa shogunate, which marked the beginning of the Edo period. Toshogu and its associated shrine and temple complex have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Property Highlights:

• 6th-floor 47-sqm 1LDK (1-bedroom) apartment in 8-story building
• Building is located along the Kinugawa River
• About 2.6-km (5 minutes by car) from Kinugawa Onsen Station
• Ownership of apartment includes shared facilities of the adjacent Tokyu Harvest Club Kinugawa
• To see the full listing, please click on any of the images below or visit the property detail page.