This pair of two-storey wooden apartment buildings stands together on a freehold site of about 984 sq m in Yonezawa, a regional city in Yamagata Prefecture. Both were completed in 1998 and together provide a registered floor area of about 437 sq m. The…
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Property for sale in Japan: new developments and resale homes, listed by the developers and agents selling them, with prices and a buying guide.
Also in the region: Property for sale in Thailand, Property for sale in Vietnam, Property for sale in the Philippines, Property for sale in Malaysia, Property for sale in Indonesia, Property for sale in Cambodia, Property for sale in Sri Lanka, Property for sale in the Maldives
Property in Japan on INTRIC runs from JPY 46.00M to JPY 970.00M, in Osaka, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kyoto, Sapporo and Niseko. Prices are the sellers' own, in the listing's currency, and change as listings are added.
Yes. Foreigners hold the same ownership rights as Japanese citizens, with full freehold title. There is no limit on the number or value of properties, and no residency, visa or government approval is needed. A short notification may be filed after buying certain property types.
On buying: a one-off real estate acquisition tax of about 3% to 4% of the assessed value, which is usually well below the price, plus registration tax and stamp duty. After that: annual fixed asset tax of about 1.4% of assessed value, income tax on rent, and capital gains tax on sale. Gains are taxed at a lower rate if you hold for more than five years.
Freehold is the norm. Land and building are titled separately, so a house gives you both, while a condominium gives you the unit plus a share of the land and common areas. Condominiums carry monthly management and repair-reserve fees. Wooden buildings are written down over 22 years and concrete over 47, which can reduce taxable rental income.
Rarely. Major banks lend to foreigners who hold a Japanese visa, a stable job and a local bank account. Non-residents mostly pay cash, or find a specialist lender at roughly 30% to 50% loan-to-value. Rates for residents are among the lowest in the world, about 1.5% to 3%.
Central Tokyo condominium prices have set records in recent years, with gross yields of 3.5% to 4.5%. Osaka and Fukuoka yield more, and regional cities up to 8%. The yen exchange rate moves your return in dollars or pounds, in either direction. Capital at risk.
No. Japan has no investor or Golden Visa tied to property. Owners who want to live there need a separate visa. The Business Manager visa has needed ¥30 million in capital, at least one full-time employee and a vetted business plan since October 2025.
Country guide · 25 minComplete Investor Guide to Japanese PropertyForeign-friendly ownership, ultra-low rates, and weak yen create a compelling entry point into Asia's most stable property marketStable MarketFreeholdForeign-FriendlyRead the guide
City guide · 8 minNisekoNiseko is Japan's most internationalized ski resort, a Hokkaido alpine basin sitting beneath the dormant volcano of Mount Yotei, draped in some of the deepest, driest powder snow on Earth. The four-resort Niseko United system (Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri, Hanazono) recorded over 11 million lift rides in the 2024-25 season and continues to set domestic records. What began as an Australian-led investor enclave in the 2010s has rotated into a more diversified Asian capital base, Hong Kong, Singaporean, mainland Chinese, Taiwanese, and Thai buyers now represent the majority of new ski-in / ski-out acquisitions, driven by the persistent weakness of the Japanese yen against major Asian currencies. Crucially, Japan permits 100% foreign freehold (fee-simple) ownership with no government approval or residency requirement, a rarity in Asia. The Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to Kutchan is scheduled for 2031, which combined with the Hotel 101 Niseko opening (482 rooms, December 2026) and continued upper-tier developer activity, positions Niseko as one of the most actively-watched resort property markets in Asia-Pacific.
City guide · 8 minFukuokaJapan's fastest-growing major city and startup capital, Fukuoka combines affordable living costs with a dynamic tech ecosystem and exceptional quality of life. Located on the northern shore of Kyushu, the city has positioned itself as Japan's gateway to Asia with direct flights to Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, and Hong Kong — all within two hours. The Tenjin Big Bang and Hakata Connected redevelopment initiatives are transforming the city center with billions of yen in new mixed-use towers. For property investors, Fukuoka offers rental yields of 5-6% — significantly above Tokyo's 3-4% — with entry prices roughly half those of the capital. A young, growing population (rare in Japan) and strong government support for international business make Fukuoka one of the most compelling secondary-city real estate plays in Asia.
City guide · 8 minSapporoHokkaido's capital and Japan's fifth-largest city, Sapporo has emerged as a compelling real estate market driven by world-class winter sports tourism, a booming beer and food culture, and the upcoming Hokkaido Shinkansen extension. Land prices surged 40% since 2019 with an 8.4% increase in 2024 alone, yet entry prices remain well below Tokyo levels. The city draws nearly 9 million international visitors annually — surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 12% — fueling a short-term rental market that delivers yields exceeding 20% in peak season. For investors, Sapporo offers the rare combination of strong capital appreciation (3-5% annually), healthy long-term rental yields (4-5%), and a growing population attracted by Hokkaido's quality of life and the city's expanding tech and tourism sectors.
City guide · 8 minKyotoJapan's ancient capital and cultural heart offers a unique real estate proposition: heritage properties in UNESCO-caliber settings with the strongest tourism demand in the country. From the geisha district of Gion to the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, Kyoto's strict building regulations ensure permanent scarcity while record visitor numbers drive both long-term rental and hospitality investment returns. With 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, over 2,000 temples and shrines, and stringent height restrictions that preserve the city's historic skyline, Kyoto offers a property market defined by scarcity and cultural prestige. The city's machiya townhouses — traditional wooden merchant homes — have become prized investment assets, with restored properties commanding premium rents as boutique hotels, galleries, and luxury residences.
Market insight · 8 minProperty Diversification in 2026Tokyo +58.5%, London -7.0%: the 2026 prime spread in one index year. Why currency, regime and intent are the axes to spread. Capital at risk.
Market insight · 8 minSafety-Led Property in 2026Global peace has fallen for 12 straight years while the safest markets barely moved. Where safety-led capital goes, and what to check. Capital at risk.
Market insight · 10 min7 Rule Changes Foreign Property Buyers Face in 2026: Saudi Opens, Australia Extends, Canada's Ban Runs OutSaudi Arabia opened. Australia closed for longer. Japan added paperwork and Canada's ban expires on 1 January 2027. Seven rule changes for foreign property buyers in 2026, each checked against the source.
Market insight · 9 minEstate Planning and Inheritance Tax in 2026Inheritance tax in 2026 runs from 0% to 55%. The rate map, the UK residence reform, the US situs trap, and where property passes clean. Capital at risk.
