Buyer interest in “for sale” properties on Real Estate Japan has been strong this month. Inquiries have been especially strong for properties located in Tokyo’s 23 wards and in secondary markets like Osaka, Aichi, and Sapporo.
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%.
In this article, we give a few examples of single-family homes for sale in Japan’s smaller cities with a list price of ¥20,300,000 ($200,000) or much less. Scroll to the bottom of the article for answers to frequently asked questions about buying property in Japan as a foreigner.
Now let’s take a look at some examples, from new construction to traditional-style homes.
New (2017) 5BR house in Mito-shi, Ibaraki
Where: Mito, the capital of Ibaraki prefecture located in the northern part of the Kanto plain, has a population of about 271,000. The lead photo shows the Plum Festival in Kairakuen (Garden) in Mito.
Price: ¥20,300,000 ($190,000)
Size and Layout: 5BR (5LDK), 109.30 m²
Floors: 2-stories
Year Built: 2017
Notes: Corner lot in residential neighborhood, three parking spaces, 1.5 bathrooms
9BR Traditional-Style House in Fukuoka
Where: Fukuoka, the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture, is located on the northern shore of Kyushu island. It’s known for ancient temples, beaches and its modern commercial center and has a population of 1.55 million.
Price: ¥20,000,000 ($187,000)
Size and Layout: 9BR (10DK), 326.55 m²
Floors: 2-stories
Year Built: 1983
Notes: Property is located in a secluded neighborhood. Traditional-style home with 8 Japanese-style rooms, 3-western-style rooms.
Newish (2016) 3BR house in Amagaseki, Hyogo
Where: Amagasaki is an industrial city located 25-km east of Kobe in Hyogo prefecture. Its population is around 460,000.
Price: ¥19,980,000 ($187,000)
Size and Layout: 3BR (3LDK), 75.93 m²
Floors: 3-stories
Year Built: 2016
Notes: All western-style rooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a parking space
4BR+ house in Ito-shi, Shizuoka
Where: Itō is a small city located on the eastern shore of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture. It has a population of about 68,500.
Price: ¥20,000,000 ($187,000)
Size and Layout: 4BR+ (4SLDK), 173.48 m²
Floors: 3-stories
Year Built: 2016
Notes: 4 Japanese-style rooms, western-style living room, 1 sun room, large closets
New (2017) 4BR House for Sale in Takamatsu-shi, Kagawa
Where: Takamatsu is a city located in central Kagawa prefecture on the island of Shikoku, and is the capital city of the prefectural government. It has a population of about 420,000.
Price: ¥19,800,000 ($185,000)
Size and Layout: 4BR+ (4SLDK), 65.05 m²
Floors: 2-stories
Year Built: 2017
Notes: 1 Japanese-style room, all other rooms are western style, 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