Anyone else here buy a house in Japan?

Get that shitty "nothing is free" mindset out of your head, because Japan is loaded with free stuff, including houses.
Yes, literal fucking houses.

For those who don't know, you can get abandoned properties for less than $2000 (most in shambles, others in perfect condition). I'm talking massive houses, 5 living rooms, a dining room, and a kitchen. Sure they're haunted by ghosts, but at least you have a roof over your head!

But if you don't like the idea of sleeping with ghosts, just get a beautiful kominka on the country side for $20,000.

Just Google "What is an akiya bank?" and you'll understand what I'm talking about.
Akiya means vacant house by the way.

blocksrey said:

Get that shitty "nothing is free" mindset out of your head, because Japan is loaded with free stuff, including houses.
Yes, literal fucking houses.

For those who don't know, you can get abandoned properties for less than $2000 (most in shambles, others in perfect condition). I'm talking massive houses, 5 living rooms, a dining room, and a kitchen. Sure they're haunted by ghosts, but at least you have a roof over your head!

But if you don't like the idea of sleeping with ghosts, just get a beautiful kominka on the country side for $20,000.

Just Google "What is an akiya bank?" and you'll understand what I'm talking about.
Akiya means vacant house by the way.

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What about residence permit or citizenship?

srjbrd said:

What about residence permit or citizenship?

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There's no requirement for residence, nor citizenship to buy and live in the house, nor does buying said house grant you residence/citizenship.
However, because a tourist visa only lasts 90 days (this depends on where you're from), you aren't allowed to stay there forever.
Also, Japan limits the period of stay of non-residents in the country for no more than 180 days in a 365 day interval because you'd be subject to taxation after that period. However, this "rule" is merely a word of advice but you'll get questioned by immigration if you exceed this limit.
You may consult with a Japanese lawyer as well, there are many free consultation services online.

You can get cheap houses anywhere in the world really, but they are cheap for a reason

its going soon going to happen in the US and Europe too.
Society is already shrinking at a high rate.Its just artificaly pumped by emigrants which will end within the next years

I plan to get a house in Fukuoka.

The idea is to legally stay in Japan for as long as possible, then leave it, stay at another SEA country like Malaysia, Indonesia or Philippines, and then return to Japan.

I just know about the maximum 180 days rule for the period of 365 days. That's a bummer!

But I also heard that, you can get a business visa for around 10 million yen paid up capital to open a start up there? Or is it 100 million yen?
I'm not sure.

Maybe like OP, I plan to stay there while earning foreign income discretely, well, we are BHW guys anyway.... while slowly setup some SME in Japan.

wgn_white said:

I plan to get a house in Fukuoka.

The idea is to legally stay in Japan for as long as possible, then leave it, stay at another SEA country like Malaysia, Indonesia or Philippines, and then return to Japan.

I just know about the maximum 180 days rule for the period of 365 days. That's a bummer!

But I also heard that, you can get a business visa for around 10 million yen paid up capital to open a start up there? Or is it 100 million yen?
I'm not sure.

Maybe like OP, I plan to stay there while earning foreign income discretely, well, we are BHW guys anyway.... while slowly setup some SME in Japan.

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There's the Business Manager Visa which lasts as long as your company doesn't have debts and is profitable from the 2nd year. Also the capital required is 5 million yen.
If you go that route, there's no better option than Fukuoka. Because you don't need a judicial scrivener nor a lawyer for the incorporation of the company and COE application, meaning it can all be done by yourself. It'll save you like 80 man yen.

Also there are 3 different routes to obtain a visa this way. Check out page 4 of the "Guidebook of Business Establishment in Fukuoka City" handbook and you'll see what I'm talking about: https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/keizai/k-yuchi/business/kigyouritti_en.html

There's a really good resource called Startup Cafe in Fukuoka city which I highly recommend, they support multiple languages. So definitely check them out!

bottingisfine said:

You can get cheap houses anywhere in the world really, but they are cheap for a reason

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Yeah, and Japan's reason is because too many people are dying...

No :c
I don't like crowded spaces
I enjoy having big lands or houses even if they are for rent

Looked into this awhile back, genuinely tried to do it. The answer is nothing is free.

They do not own land in the same way we "own land" in the US. They're much more honest about it. Instead of property tax they admit the government owns the land your house is on and you owe them rent. The house on the plot is extra.

So you paid for the abandoned house, but owe a bunch to the gov. Especially because they're trying to lure Gaijin in with these "cheap houses" you can owe a ton of back on that property. Japan also has constantly changing rules about liveable housing. It's why if you look online their houses always seem to high tech. If you already live in the house then it's fine, but since you'd be a new owner you'd have to update the house to match the laws, which is many cases can mean demolishing and starting a new.

Getting to stay in your new house is also a problem. If your young enough to qualify for their student programs then you probably don't have the money to be getting one of these houses. So without that you need either an investment which is a ton of money on top of your house so scratch that. So a business one is cheaper but it's got capital requirements and you have to hire a certain number of locals at competitive local pay rates. That's more money so let's scratch that too. So on your own merit it's a point system, you'll need to score well on the language test or have a degree, if your over 30 it needs to be in a highly sought after field, they also don't like families.

This is why people have been going to odd places so they can instead apply as a refugee, it can also be easier if you're military.

First you've to learn japanese language.....

blocksrey said:

Sure they're haunted by ghosts,

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I'm okay with ghosts. But the introvert me will die adjusting to the culture shock.

I am planning to stay in Japan for the next 5 years do you suggest me some basic requirements and documents ?

And how about the rental house is it good?

Wow.. this one even beats @RoiBox 's $61K floating house.
I'd never though I'd live to see 2 interesting pieces of information about real estate, not to mention in the same week!

Interesting, It s not even like you own a house, but renting it from Gov. Not so good offer if comparing other countries.

But wasn't it recently reported that Mt. Fuji was going to erupt?

Do you pay yearly taxes on the house?
can I buy a land?

Extensix said:

I am planning to stay in Japan for the next 5 years do you suggest me some basic requirements and documents ?

And how about the rental house is it good?

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If you're a resident of Japan then you only need a passport and a residence card. (I.e. zairyu card or Japanese driver's license)

If not (basically a tourist) you'll need a proof of residency in your home country. It doesn't need to be notarized and it can be in the source language. In the United States I believe this is a 6166 certification of tax residence document.

Also be prepared to pay in cash if it's less than 20 man yen.

And I think Iranians can't buy houses. (I'm not saying you are lmao)

cosmo89 said:

Interesting, It s not even like you own a house, but renting it from Gov. Not so good offer if comparing other countries.

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No, you own the house forever and you're not renting it. But yeah the catch is it doesn't grant you residency.

Salamouna said:

Do you pay yearly taxes on the house?
can I buy a land?

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Actually, when the house is over 50 or so years old, it's worth nothing. So yes, the only thing you'd be paying for is land tax.

And yes, you can get a lot of land in Japan.