Podcast · Business

Buying a House in Japan

by Mokomoko Productions · English · Business

We’re Joey & Take - two friends who dreamed of owning a cheap home in Japan. So we bought one...and then five more! Dreaming of owning property in Japan? We cover everything you need to know and more. Highlights include: Pros and cons of purchasing in Japan The complexities of Japan’s real estat

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 43 min
Latest: 9 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

9 Oct 2026 · 44 min

Mount Fuji From Their Living Room | Ep. 153

In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, Take sits down with NJ, a San Francisco Bay Area tech worker, gymnastics coach, and pole dance instructor who purchased a pre-renovated condo in Hachioji, Western Tokyo. NJ shares their journey from listening to the podcast to buying a fourth-floor corner unit with views of Mount Fuji and Tokyo Skytree. They explain their reasoning behind choosing a condo over a detached house, how they use it as a global warming getaway, and what it was like installing a pole in their Japanese living room to perform a phoenix move. Key Takeaways Why…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

2 Oct 2026 · 46 min
Demolishing This House In Japan Costs $30,000 | Ep. 152
Takeru and Joey reach a major milestone on the Buying a House in Japan podcast as they celebrate surpassing 50 episodes. In this episode, they recap all six properties they have purchased across Japan and lay out their plans for their next big focus: rebuilding their $3,500 ski house in Myoko, Niigata. Key Takeaways 150 Episodes Milestone Recap of All 6 Properties The Myoko Ski Chalet Project: Dealing with snow maintenance, narrow road access, chainsaw demolition teams, meeting with Sekisui Chemical in Tokyo, and working with Mitch at Ikigai Housing in Iiyama. Lifestyle ROI vs. Airbnb…
25 Sep 2026 · 54 min
Why Foreigners Are Rethinking Japan Investments and Permanent Residency | Ep. 151
In this collaboration episode, the team sits down with Ziv Nakajima Magen, co-founder and COO of Nippon Tradings International (NTI). With 15 years in Japanese real estate, Ziv shares his perspective on shifting market dynamics, anti-foreigner sentiment, changes to visa regulations, and what it takes to navigate Japanese property today. The hosts also discuss their major rebrand from Akiya Mart to Mokomoko, explaining why they outgrew the original name and expanded their scope to cover condos, houses, and beyond. Key Takeaways Market Trends: A post-COVID wave of holiday home buying has…
18 Sep 2026 · 51 min
Is the Japan House Buying Trend Overhyped? | Ep. 150
In this episode of Buying a House in Japan, Taker and Joey sit down with Keito Swan, a half-Japanese U.S. native who bought and fully renovated a 50-year-old akiya in Higashikawa, Hokkaido. Keito breaks down the real expenses behind his $180,000 project, the hard realities of local weather and trash rules, and why he thinks most foreign buyers should think twice before purchasing property in Japan. Key Takeaways The True Akiya Budget: Why cheap listings can quickly turn into $180,000 projects once you factor in full gut renovations and harsh climates. Local Integration Matters: Why…
11 Sep 2026 · 52 min
Escaping California Housing Prices with a Modern Concrete Home in Japan | Ep. 149
Finding reasonable housing in the Bay Area can feel impossible. In this episode of Buying a House in Japan, Take sit downs with video producer Oliver to talk about his path to purchasing a modern, concrete home in Atami. From growing up in Japan and attending public school in Machida to using astrology and location criteria, Oliver breaks down how his family found their dream getaway near Sagami Bay. Key Takeaways The Bay Area Alternative: How high housing prices in California pushed Oliver to look for international real estate options. Atami Location Perk: Finding an ocean view, mountain…
4 Sep 2026 · 47 min
Why We Dropped the Akiya Name and What It Means for Japanese Real Estate | Ep. 148
Welcome back to the Buying a House in Japan podcast! In this episode, Take and Joey dive into a massive milestone for the team: officially rebranding AkiyaMart to Mokomoko.com . They unpack the tech and administrative challenges of pivoting away from the negative connotations around the word "akiya", dealing with domain migrations, and resetting SEO from scratch. They also share practical tips on managing summer humidity in Japanese homes, the financial realities of trying to install a sauna on a Tokyo property, and the launch of the Mokomoko Buyers Club post-purchase program-designed to…
28 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Works in America. Lives in Japan. | Ep. 147
Moving to Japan is a massive life pivot, but the real challenges often start long after the initial honeymoon phase fades. In this episode, we sit down with Richard Sandlin, who shares his raw experience moving from the Bay Area to Sendai with his family. We break down the realities of long-term life in Japan-from navigating the complex "three-year gotchas" like fluctuating taxes and car ownership to why hiring professional help is often the smartest investment you can make. Key Takeaways The "Three-Year Gotchas": Life changes after a few years. Costs, taxes, and bureaucratic requirements…
21 Aug 2026 · 21 min
The Reality of Owning a House in Japan: Trash Schedules, DIY Upgrades, & AkiyaLife | Ep. 146
What does life look like two years after buying an akiya in Japan? Hosts Joey and Take give a raw, unscripted run-and-gun tour of Tomo Base Camp right before heading to the airport. They dive deep into the trial-and-error of their home espresso setup, showcase major house renovations like double-pane window installations, navigate the unexpected challenges of local trash schedules, and share upcoming plans for a backyard barrel sauna and cold plunge setup. Key Takeaways The Reality of Akiya Living: Owning property in Japan comes with unique logistics, including managing strict local trash…
14 Aug 2026 · 42 min
The Hidden Headaches of Buying a House in Japan (And How We're Fixing Them) | Ep. 145
Buying a house in Japan is just step one. What happens next? This week, Joey and Take sit down with Akane Hoshino, the operations lead behind their new post-purchase support program, Mokomoko Buyers Club. Akane has spent the past year helping foreign homeowners navigate the parts of Japanese life that don't show up in any listing: utility setup, tax paperwork, and neighborhood customs. Key Takeaways: - Setting up gas, water, and electric in Japan often requires a Japanese bank account, in-person scheduling, and multiple phone calls, and the process varies by company and by region - Foreign…
13 Aug 2026 · 49 min
Japan’s Airbnb Crackdown: What Every Foreign Buyer Needs to Know in 2026 | Ep. 144
Can You Actually Run an Airbnb in Japan as a Foreigner? Take and Joey welcome back one of their top real estate agents, Ryo Takamoto of Real From the Homes, for a deep dive into what it really takes to buy a property in Japan and turn it into a short-term rental. Ryo has helped launch more than 30 Airbnb properties across Japan, and in this episode he walks through the zoning rules, licensing process, costs, and changing regulations that every foreign buyer needs to understand before jumping in. Key Takeaways Foreigners without Japanese language ability essentially cannot get a minpaku…
31 Jul 2026 · 36 min
Is Shikoku Japan's Most Underrated Place to Live? A Local Take | Ep. 143
This week we welcome Narumi, our newest team member and consultant, for her first appearance on the show. Narumi is Swiss Japanese, grew up in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, and moved to Tokyo two years ago to reconnect with her Japanese heritage and chase what she calls her big city girl dream. She walks us through her path from language school in Kobe to a role at the Swiss Embassy in Japan to a cross border M&A company, and shares what she has learned helping clients navigate buying property in Japan. Key Takeaways Narumi grew up speaking German, English, and French, and started…
29 Jul 2026 · 50 min
What City Hall in Japan Is Really Like (From Someone Who Worked There) | Ep 142
Sam Hanada, half Japanese and half Kiwi, moved to Japan through the JET Program and spent three years working inside a Japanese city hall before a short, eye-opening stint at a "black kigyo" (exploitative company) sent him looking for something better. Now working with the team on consultations and leading the new Mocha Moko Ambassador affiliate program, Sam shares what daily life in a small Chiba town is really like, how he built deep community ties through a 300-year-old local festival, and practical advice for anyone navigating Japanese bureaucracy or job hunting from scratch. Key…
17 Jul 2026 · 37 min
Off-Market Akiya Deals: How Erik Found 4 Homes in Niigata | Ep 141
Erik, a repeat guest and veteran of the Akiya-buying process, joins the hosts for a July 4th cookout to talk about how he ended up owning four homes in the same small Niigata village. A remodel company owner from Minnesota, Erik shares how he uses his construction background to renovate traditional Japanese homes, why staying in one community unlocks off-market deals, and how gardening and rice-paddy planting have become his fastest path to real integration. Key Takeaways Off-market deals happen when you're embedded in a community, not when you're cold-emailing sellers from afar. Owning…
10 Jul 2026 · 40 min
Two Years Owning in Japan: Tama Base Camp Update | Ep 140
It's been two years since Take and Joey bought their akiya in Tama, and this episode is a full walkthrough of everything that's changed. From a brand new cold plunge to an unexpected termite discovery under the floor, the guys break down every upgrade, what it cost, and what they'd do differently. What You'll Learn How they threw their first big party at the property, including neighbor etiquette and gift giving norms in Japan. Why they installed a cold plunge before a sauna, and what it actually cost compared to buying one in the US. The e-bike upgrade that changed how they get around their…
3 Jul 2026 · 46 min
Why This Hawaii Family Bought a Second Home in Japan
A Hawaii family buys an oceanfront home in Japan for $16,000 and it has a surf break out front, a bike path, and ski resorts 40 minutes away. This is how they did it. In this episode, host Take Kurosawa sits down with Chris Rose, a former Army veteran, longtime Hawaii resident, and Buying a House in Japan direct program customer, at the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden on Oahu's east side. Chris shares his full journey: from falling down the Instagram rabbit hole of cheap Japanese homes to closing on a stunning two-story oceanfront property in Itoigawa, Niigata for just ¥2.5 million (~$16,000…
E138 · 26 Jun 2026 · 33 min
Handling Inheritance on Your Japanese House ft. Ryan Kubozono
This week Take is running solo, joined again by Ryan, head of Japan operations for AkiyaMart and a certified financial planner to walk through how Japanese inheritance tax could apply to foreign-owned property. It's an important but sometimes overlooked conversation when it comes to buying foreign real estate and this conversation can be a good starting point as you plan your Japan home purchase. Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com . First time subscriber? Use promo code V4BABY for $50 off AkiyaMart Pro annual. Want a free 1:1…
E137 · 19 Jun 2026 · 31 min
AkiyaMart is Rebranding. Here's Why We're Excited About It.
Three years ago we built a tool so we could buy a cheap house in Japan. Then, we started helping other people buy cheap houses in Japan and soon we were helping folks from all over the world buy their dream home in Japan at any price or condition. For a while now, AkiyaMart has become a platform serving a large variety of homebuyers and we're changing our brand to reflect that. Listen to learn how we got here and what's next for the platform. Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com . First time subscriber? Use promo code V4BABY for…
E136 · 12 Jun 2026 · 25 min
Making the Search Process Simpler With AkiyaMart v4
Buying a house in Japan used to mean combing through sometimes dozens of multiple listings just to get an accurate picture of a property. With AkiyaMart v4, we solved that problem. Let us tell you how we did it. Unlike in the US, where the MLS aggregates property details into singular cohesive listings, Japan's REINS system operates almost like a series of Craigslist ads. We wanted to simplify the home search process for you, so we built our own way to provide aggregate listings with a real-time price history so that you get the full picture right away. Buying a House in Japan is a…
E135 · 5 Jun 2026 · 51 min
Answering Your Top 10 Japan Home Buying Questions
This week, Take and Joey run through the ten most frequently asked questions from AkiyaMart consultation calls. After three years and thousands of consultations, they identified your top questions and hope this episode can help you prep for your Japan home buying journey. They cover whether foreigners can buy property in Japan, how the buying process actually works end to end, why loans are not available in almost all cases, what Airbnb zoning looks like and where to check eligibility, how property taxes are assessed, what renovation realistically costs, and why reaching out to a seller's…
E134 · 29 May 2026 · 25 min
What's Next for AkiyaMart + Spring 2026 Recap
This week, Take and Joey break down what's next for AkiyaMart and why they're repositioning toward a broader Japan real estate platform. The most immediate change is that they've decided to stop using the word "akiya." For foreigners it's shorthand for cheap, abandoned homes in Japan. But for many people in Japan, the word carries real cultural and economic weight. For the team, this business has always been about more than just cheap homes. It's about connecting people to Japan, and this choice reflects that vision. This episode also covers three weeks on the road through Tama, Otaru,…
22 May 2026 · 32 min
Linda's Journey from Europe to Western Tokyo
Can a foreign family actually build a life in suburban Japan? Linda moved from Europe to western Tokyo with no Japanese, no prior visit, and a toddler. Ten years later, her daughter is fluent, she knows the whole neighborhood, and they can't imagine leaving. This episode covers moving to Japan with kids, international schools vs. the Japanese public school track, raising a multilingual child in Japan, and what daily life looks like for a foreign family outside central Tokyo. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube ! Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home…
E132 · 15 May 2026 · 33 min
Kristian's Journey from Melbourne Real Estate to Fukuoka Language School
Is a year at a Japanese language school your ticket to living in Japan? Kristian is an AkiyaMart consultant and former Melbourne real estate agent who moved to Fukuoka to attend Japanese language school. He joins Take and Joey to walk through the visa process, what a year of daily study actually produces, and tips for those wanting to buy an akiya at the same time. Are you considering moving to Japan to study Japanese? This is the episode for you. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube ! Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com .…
E131 · 8 May 2026 · 43 min
Making Your Way in Fukuoka, ft. Carlos Gutierrez
In this episode, Take and Joey sit down in Fukuoka with Carlos, who recently relocated from Los Angeles on a Business Manager Visa. He breaks down the full process: which visa to apply for, why Fukuoka's immigration bureau is faster than Tokyo, how to find an apartment as a foreigner when 80% of landlords say no, and what the first couple months on the ground actually look like. If you're thinking about moving to Japan, this is the episode for you. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube ! Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com .…
E130 · 1 May 2026 · 36 min
Why Aren't Akiya More Attractive to Japanese Buyers? ft. Tomoa Ishihara
This week, Take and Joey sit down with Tomoa, a Japanese friend, to answer a question we get all the time: "why didn't a Japanese person buy this akiya first?" Tomoa breaks down how kegare shapes Japanese attitudes toward used homes, why rural properties rarely appeal to Japanese buyers, and what foreign buyers need to understand about owning property responsibly in Japan. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube ! Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com . Questions? Email [email protected] Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey…
E129 · 24 Apr 2026 · 45 min
Dear Diary Series: We finished work on Jissoji Lux
Take and Joey are wrapping up three years of work on Jissoji Lux, their first-ever akiya in Beppu, Japan's top onsen city, and gearing up for a major launch in Otaru this spring. Both projects represent what it looks like when an akiya renovation reaches the finish line. In this episode, they record from inside Jissoji Lux and walk through what three years of work actually looked like. The house is a two-bedroom property walking distance from Hyotan Onsen, one of Beppu's most well-known bathhouses. Total investment was around $80K. Their Otaru property is a two-unit duplex, currently…
E128 · 17 Apr 2026 · 59 min
How Joey Qualified for the Highly Skilled Professional Visa
Ever heard of the Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) visa? The HSP is a points-based visa. 70 points to qualify, 80 to accelerate permanent residency. Joey scored 95, built up through two decades of school, career, and two years running a business in Japan. Could HSP be the right visa for your move to Japan? Joey breaks down all you need to know in this episode. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube ! Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com . Questions? Email [email protected] Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The…
E127 · 10 Apr 2026 · 46 min
Renting an apartment in Japan is harder than we thought, ft. Ryan Kubozono
This week, Joey and Take are joined by Ryan, AkiyaMart's representative director in Japan to talk about Joey's recent move to Ishigaki, and to cover just how hard it can be for a foreigner to rent in Japan. It might be easier just to buy a place after all. Find out why. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube ! Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com . Questions? Email [email protected] Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team is Carlos Gutierrez., Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.
E126 · 3 Apr 2026 · 43 min
Navigating Japan's Unwritten Rules, ft. Erik Buhrow
This week, Take and Joey are joined at Tama base camp by Erik, an early AkiyaMart customer and current AkiyaMart Direct Sales Manager, who has purchased three akiya in Japan, including the viral $69 home he is currently rehabbing as a traveler-friendly Snoopy-themed stay. The group covers some of the unwritten rules that lead to headaches during car registration, home buying or renovation, and the realities of navigating daily life in Japan. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube ! Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com . Questions?…
E125 · 27 Mar 2026 · 41 min
A Canadian's Real Take on Rural Hokkaido, ft. AMD Consultant Lukas
This week, Joey and Take are joined at Tama Base camp by Lukas is an AkiyaMart consultant from Alberta, Canada, currently living in rural Hokkaido In the group covers what people actually need to know before committing to a purchase in Japan: visas, realistic budgeting, property condition, and why visiting your target area before you buy matters more than most people expect. Lukas also shares what daily life in a small rural town with almost no other foreigners actually looks like, and where he is thinking about buying himself. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube ! Buying a House in Japan is…
E124 · 20 Mar 2026 · 28 min
Dear Diary Series: Back in Japan + Selling Jissoji Lux
This week, Take and Joey are back in Japan, recording from Tama Base Camp, and a lot is happening for the duo this spring: Joey moved to Ishigaki in Okinawa, things are moving with the Tama house, and we've got another Japan speed run through Tokyo, Otaru, Fukuoka, and Beppu, where the guys are finishing up Jissoji Lux to put on the market as a turnkey starter-kit home. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube ! Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com . Questions? Email [email protected] Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans.…

About Buying a House in Japan

Buying a House in Japan is a English business podcast from Mokomoko Productions. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Mokomoko Productions
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 43 min
Latest episode: 9 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1713101233
Rights: 2026 Mokomoko Productions

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