In this article, we give a few examples of single-family homes for sale in Japan’s smaller cities with a list price of about $200,000 (¥21,800,000).
To understand what the $200,000 price point means, it’s useful to compare it to housing prices in Tokyo.
As we noted in a recent post (What is the price of a new house in Tokyo?), the average price per square meter of a newly constructed house in the Tokyo 23 wards was ¥664,652 ($6,168). This was a year-on-year increase of 12.2%, with the average list price being ¥64,870,000, a year-on-year increase of 8.5%.
Scroll to the bottom of the article for answers to frequently asked questions about buying property in Japan as a foreigner.
New 4BR house for sale in Awa, Tokushima
Where: Awa, with a population of 36,700, is located in Tokushima prefecture on the island of Shikoku.
Price: ¥21,800,000 ($199,000)
Size and Layout: 4BR (4LDK), 124.62 m²
Floors: 2-stories
Year Built: 2017
4BR House in Shiroi, Chiba
Where: Shiroi is located about 40-km northeast of Tokyo in Chiba prefecture. It has a population of 62,200.
Price: ¥21,800,000 ($199,000)
Size and Layout: 4BR (4LDK), 111.37 m²
Floors: 2-stories
Year Built: 2007
Notes: Three western-style bedrooms, 1 Japanese style room, 1.5 bathrooms. About 1-hr 15-min train ride to Tokyo Station.
3BR renovated house in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto
Where: Nagaokakyo is a town of about 80,500 people, located about 13-km south of Kyoto.
Price: ¥21,800,000 ($199,000)
Size and Layout: 3BR (3LDK), 75.10 m²
Floors: 2-stories
Year Built: Built in 1989, renovated in August 2016
Notes: All western-style rooms, covered parking space. Easy access to Kyoto.
New 5BR house for sale in Hitachiota, Ibaraki
Where: Hitachiota, with a population of about 52,100, is located in Ibaraki prefecture, about 150-km north of Tokyo.
Price: ¥21,800,000 ($199,000)
Size and Layout: 5BR (5LDK), 110.95 m²
Floors: 2-stories
Year Built: 2017
Notes: Five western-style bedrooms, one Japanese-style room, 1.5 bathrooms
3BR house in Oyama, Tochigi
Where: Oyama is a city in Tochigi prefecture, with a population of about 165,800 and is about 100-km north of Tokyo.
Price: ¥22,800,000 ($208,000)
Size and Layout: 3BR+ (3SLDK), 115.23 m²
Floors: 2-stories
Year Built: 2014
Notes: Three western-style bedrooms, one Japanese-style room, 1.5 bathrooms
FAQs About Buying a Home 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“.
How do I get a home loan as a foreigner in Japan?
Please see this article for information on: Getting a home loan as a foreigner in Japan
What is the process for buying a home in Japan?
Please see our step-by-step guide: Guide to Buying a Home 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: Earthquake building codes and technology in Japan