In this installment of the “what can you buy” series, by popular request, we take a look at what you can buy in Japan’s smaller cities and towns for $150,000 (¥20,000,000) or less.
The weakening yen has strengthened the purchasing power of the US dollar significantly since the start of the year, allowing us to look at more candidate properties. In 2021, the average USD-JPY exchange rate was about 109.8 JPY to one USD. Currently, one greenback is trading at about 130.7 JPY.
To put the ¥20,000,000 price point in perspective, the average contracted sales price for a pre-owned house sold in greater Tokyo was ¥35,240,000 ($275,000 USD), an increase of 10.2% compared to 2020 and the third consecutive year of price increases compared to the previous year.
More homebuyers are also moving away from large cities to look at more affordable housing in smaller cities and towns, as more companies are allowing workers to telecommute. This trend is also putting price pressure on regional cities. Please see this article for a national ranking of the average listing price of an apartment for sale in Japan by prefecture, in March 2022.
Now let’s take a look at the featured properties in this price range!
Renovated 3LDK house in Hakodate, Hokkaido
List price: ¥13,300,000 ($102,000 USD, @ 130 JPY to 1 USD)
Location: Hakodate, Hokkaido

Iconic nighttime view of Hakodate, iStock 474768513
Hakodate is Hokkaido’s third largest city, with a population of about 250,000 (June 2021). It is a charming port city, surrounded by the ocean on three sides, with a very livable environment that blends Western and Japanese-style architectural influences. The city is known for its fresh seafood, hot springs, and spectacular location at the base of Mt. Hakodate (a 334-meter high), which is renowned for its breathtaking views of the city and bay.
Property Highlights

Renovated 3LDK house for sale near Fukabori-cho Station on the Hakodate Tram Line 5. Please click on the photo for the full listing, including a video walkthrough. Image: R Real Estate
- List price: ¥13,300,000 ($102,000 USD, @ 130 JPY to 1 USD)
- This is a 79.19 m² 3LDK home on a 198.32 m² lot
- The property is 57 years old but has recently been renovated and is move-in ready
- Two parking spaces, floor heating
- Great location where you can easily get to a hospital, supermarket, convenience store, downtown(Honcho), the local hot spring spa and Hakodate Airport
- Listing agent: R Real Estate
- For the full listing, please click here: Renovated 3LDK house for sale in Hakodate
2LDK Apartment in Nikko, Tochigi – Kinugawa Onsen Area
List price: ¥14,000,000 ($108,000 USD)
Location: Nikko, Tochigi

Lake Chuzenji in autumn, Nikko, via iStock 520791183
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

2LDK apartment for sale in Nikko, onsen in building common area. Please click on the photo for the full listing. Image: Tokyu Resort Corporation
- List price: ¥14,000,000 ($108,000 USD)
- Two bedroom unit on the first floor of a 6-story condominium with onsen
- Built in 2014
- Pet-friendly condominium building
- 8-min walk to Kinugawa Onsen Station
- Listing agent: Tokyu Resort Corporation
- For the full listing, please click here: 2LDK apartment for sale in Nikko
2LDK House for Sale in Narusawa Village, Yamanashi
List price: ¥15,700,000 ($121,000 USD)
Location: Narusawa Village, Yamanashi
Narusawa is a village with a population of about 3,152 people (June 2019) in Yamanashi prefecture. Is is located in the southern part of the prefecture, in the foothills of Mount Fuji. The entire village is located within the borders of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
Property Highlights
- List price: ¥15,700,000 ($121,000 USD)
- Large 122.30 m² 2-bedroom house with spacious, vaulted-ceiling living room on a spacious 1,087.00 m² lot
- Built in 2016
- Located within the borders of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
- About 1.7km to Fuji Lakeside Country Club, about 1.9km to Fujizakura Country Club, and about 5.1km to Forest Mall Fujikawaguchiko
- Listing agent: Tokyu Resort Corporation
- For the full listing, please click here: 2LDK house for sale in Yamanashi
2LDK House for sale in Isumi, Chiba
List price: ¥19,200,000 ($147,000 USD)
Location: Isumi Chiba
Isumi is a seaside city in Chiba with a population of about 37,206 (November 2020). Isumi’s pristine beaches and sparkling ocean are renowned for having some of the best surfing spots in all of Japan.
Property Highlights

2LDK house for sale in Isumi, Chiba. Please click on the photo for the full listing, image: Tokyu Resort Corporation
- List price: ¥19,200,000 ($147,000 USD)
- 2-BR one-story house built in April 2015. To be delivered after remodeling in May 2022.
- This is a seller direct property, no broker fee
- Located in Ohara Seibu Green Town Villa area. which is adjacent Ohara Onjuku Golf Course designed by architect Seiichi Inoue (regarded as the master of golf design in Japan).
- Sunny and airy southwest-facing home with garden.
- Listing agent: Tokyu Resort Corporation
- For the full listing, please click here: 2LDK house for sale in Chiba
Renovated 3DK House for Sale in Yokosuka, Kanagawa
List price: ¥14,980,000 ($115,000 USD)
Location: Yokosuka, Kanagawa
Yokosuka (population 409,000 in October 2017) is the 11th most populist city in greater Tokyo, so it’s a lot bigger than our other featured properties, but would still be considered a medium-sized city in the Tokyo metro region. It is most well-known as being home to the US 7th Fleet. Yokosuka is bordered by the mouth of Tokyo Bay to the east and Sagami Bay on the Pacific Ocean on the west.
Property Highlights

Renovated 3DK house for sale in Yokosuka, Kanagawa. Please click on the photo for the full listing, image: First Step
- List price: ¥14,980,000 ($115,000 USD)
- 62.00 m² 3DK house on a 166.00 m²
- 15-min walk from Keikyu Kurihama Station on the Keikyu Kurihama line
- Built in 1974, renovated
- Listing agent: First Step
- For the full listing, please click here: 3DK House for Sale in Yokosuka
Bilingual Real Estate Agents
All of the agents who list properties on realestate.co.jp are bilingual in Japanese and English. Some agents can also handle inquiries in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and other languages. Please click on the links below to see their listings:
All For Sale Property Listings
FAQs About Buying Property in Japan
Can a foreigner buy property in Japan?
Yes. You can buy property in Japan regardless of your nationality or country of origin. There are also no residency requirements for buying real estate in Japan. Securing financing as a resident foreigner is more complicated. For info on financing, please see Basic Requirements for Getting a Mortgage as a Foreigner in Japan
Seminars on Buying Property in Japan
Please see our seminar page for a current list of seminars on: how to buy a home in Japan, investing in Japanese real estate for beginners, how to apply for permanent residency in Japan, how to sell property in Japan, and much more.
How do I get a property loan as a foreigner in Japan?
Please see this article for information on: Getting a property loan as a foreigner in Japan
What is the process for buying a property in Japan?
Please see our step-by-step guide: Guide to Buying Property in Japan
See how much you can borrow and your monthly payments in yen: Yen Mortgage Loan Calculator
For information about purchase and brokerage fees: Breakdown of real estate purchase fees and taxes in Japan
Need to Know
Leasehold rights in Japan: Advantages and disadvantages
Earthquake building codes and technology in Japan
Can I legally rent out my home in Japan on AirBnB?
Repair reserve fund fees explained
Parking spaces in Japanese condominium buildings explained
Building your own home in Japan
7 reasons why foreigners are interested in buy a home in Japan, especially now – March 2022 Update
Bilingual Real Estate Agent in Tokyo Answers Your FAQs on Buying and Managing an Investment Property
How much is my property worth?
Real Estate Japan is pleased to offer free, no obligation appraisals for owners of property in Japan. Please click here and fill out the form: How much is my property worth?
7 situations when you should consider selling your investment property in Japan
What are the main factors affecting home sale prices in Japan in 2019?
Akiya Banks in Japan
- Akiya banks in Japan: Links to vacant house databases by prefecture
- How much does it cost to renovate an akiya in Japan
- What you should know before buying a vacant home in Japan
- What to do with Tokyo’s hundreds of thousands of vacant homes
- Government plans to turn Japan’s abandoned houses into semi-quasi public housing
- Akiya Bank Japan vacant house database to now include government public assets
- 7 trends & events that will shape Japan and the Japanese real estate market in 2019
Tokyo Apartment Market Forecast: Trends to watch for in 2022
Kansai Apartment Market Forecast: Supply and price trends to watch for in 2022
Lead image: Renovated 3LDK house for sale near Fukabori-cho Station on the Hakodate Tram Line 5, Image: R Real Estate