Yes, 100%. Foreigners can own freehold property in Japan without needing a local partner, permanent residency, or special permits. You’ll have the same ownership rights as Japanese citizens.

Yes, absolutely. Many of our clients don’t speak Japanese. At Nihonnest, we guide you through the entire process in English or Bahasa Indonesia, and we can support basic communication in Chinese as well. We’ll make sure key steps and documents are clearly explained in a way that’s easy to understand so you can invest confidently.

You don’t have to. While many clients choose to view properties during their trip to Japan, it’s also possible to complete the purchase remotely. We’ll assist with the process and accommodate your needs as best as we can, whether you’re buying in person or from overseas.

Just message us on WhatsApp. We’d love to hear from you and understand your intention.

Before we can proceed, we’ll need a few key details from you:

• Your budget (and whether it includes renovation)
  
• Type of property you’re looking for: apartment, house, villa, etc.
  
• Intended use: own stay, long-term rental, or short-term stay (e.g. Airbnb)
  
• Expected gross Return on Investment (ROI) - if your goal is investment
  
• Preferred city or region in Japan
  
• Whether you’re financially prepared to proceed with a cash purchase
  Please note: Mortgage financing is generally not available to non-resident foreigners in Japan. As such, most transactions by overseas buyers are completed via full cash payment.

Having this information helps us understand your goals and recommend the most suitable options for you.

Here’s a general step-by-step overview of how the purchase process works when you engage us:

1. Browse & shortlist 
   We help you explore available properties based on your goals and preferences.
2. Property viewing 
   You may schedule an in-person house tour during your trip to Japan, or we can support with available materials.
3. Select your property
   Once you've found the right one, you're ready to proceed.
4. Appoint Judicial Scrivener 
   Before submitting an offer, you’ll need to appoint a Judicial Scrivener and agree to their fee quotation. The Judicial Scrivener will handle the legal registration of ownership and prepare official documents for transfer.
5. Submit an offer 
   An official Offer Letter is submitted to express your intent to purchase.
6. Sign sales contract
   If the seller accepts the offer, the sales contract is signed within 3 - 7 working days. A deposit (5–20% of the property price) and stamp tax are paid at this stage.
    
7. Prepare for settlement 
   Ownership transfer is arranged. This typically takes 1 - 3 weeks after signing. The appointed Judicial Scrivener proceeds with the registration procedures and coordinates documentation.
8. Final settlement & handover
   You’ll make the final payment (80–95%), complete ownership transfer, receive the keys, and pay the following:
     • Registration & License Tax
     • Judicial Scrivener Fee
     • Real Estate Agency Fee
     • Nihonnest Fee (based on service package selected)
9. Post-purchase tax 
   Real estate acquisition tax and City Planning Tax are billed about 1 to 6 months after the transfer.

Note:
- The above timeline may be extended if either the buyer or seller is a foreigner.
- The costs mentioned refer to the initial purchase process only and do not include renovation or special circumstances. Additional charges may apply depending on the property or transaction.

We’ll guide you through the safest and most cost-effective way, via your bank or licensed remittance partners. We’ll ensure compliance on both ends and help you prepare the necessary documents. 

Besides the property price, you’ll need to budget for government taxes, legal and service fees, agency and handling service costs. We’ll provide you a transparent cost breakdown once we understand your goals.

When purchasing property in Japan, you can expect the following taxes and fees:

Government Taxes

• Stamp Duty Tax: From ¥5,000 and up (paid once upon signing the contract)
  
• Real Estate Acquisition Tax: ~ 3% of the assessed value of land and building (one-time, paid 4-6 months after the purchase)
  
• Registration & License Tax:
   • 1.5% of assessed land value
   • 0.3% of assessed building value
  (paid at the time of official property registration
  
• Property Tax (Annual): 1.4% of the assessed value (billed yearly)
  
• City Planning Tax (Annual): 0.3% of the assessed value (billed yearly) 

Other Related Fees

• Judicial Scrivener Fee: ¥100,000 to ¥400,000, depending on property complexity (paid during registration).
  
• Real Estate Agency Fee: 3% of property price + ¥60,000, or a minimum of ¥300,000. (paid upon successful purchase)

This depends on the type of property and how you plan to use it. Typical yearly costs include property tax, utilities, insurance, maintenance and area management fee (for certain areas). For apartments, building management fees may also apply. Once your purchase is confirmed, we’ll provide an estimate based on the actual property.

No worries - Our team will help register you properly and explain each tax. You can pay directly by bank transfer, or we can handle it for you if you sign up for our management support plan.

Rental income can be transferred to your overseas bank account after local taxes are settled. We’ll guide you through the remittance process and help ensure everything complies with regulations in both Japan and your home country.

Returns depend on location, property type, and rental strategy. We’ll show you real examples and projections but we don’t overpromise. At Nihonnest, we focus on sustainable, long-term investments, not speculation.

That depends on your goal—are you looking for capital growth, stable rental income, or simply a peaceful vacation retreat? We’ll help you identify the most suitable area based on your purpose.

Currently, Nihonnest focuses on areas where we have strong on-the-ground support - Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa, Karuizawa, Kawaguchiko, Gotemba, Hakone, and Atami. These are the regions we serve most effectively through our trusted local partners and verified property listings. We’re also gradually expanding our reach, so if you have another area in mind, feel free to check in - we might just be heading there next.

Short-term rentals in Japan - such as Airbnb, hotels, or guest inns - are strictly regulated and not as straightforward as in some other countries.

If you have this in mind, it’s important to know that:

• You’ll need to apply for the proper license under Japan’s Minpaku Law or hotel regulations.
  
• The property must meet specific zoning, safety, and facility standards.
  
• Not all areas allow short-term rental use, and some buildings (especially condominiums) have management rules that prohibit it.
  

Because of these strict requirements, short-term rental is not suitable for every property. If this is your goal, please let us know early - we’ll help assess whether your preferred area and property type are compatible with licensing and legal compliance.

Yes, we can. If you need support with a property you already own in Japan, we offer service packages designed specifically for overseas owners. Please contact us to find out which package fits your needs best.

Yes, we do. At Nihonnest, we offer a range of one-time and monthly service packages tailored to your goals - whether you're buying a property, using it as a second home, renting it out, or keeping it idle.

Our packages are designed to support overseas owners with practical needs such as consultation, registration, renovation coordination, and post-purchase usage. Each plan is flexible and can be matched to how you intend to use your property.

If you already own a property or are planning to buy, feel free to contact us.

We currently support clients in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, where we can offer  personalised service and effective assistance. We truly appreciate the interest from other countries, and as we grow, we look forward to expanding our services across more parts of Asia, Europe, and beyond. Do stay connected - we’re excited for what’s ahead.