Property listing: Tokyo Base Camp

In this episode, Joey and Take celebrate their successful offer on a turn-key property in Tokyo for $115,000. They start with a fun chat about getting a Breville espresso machine as a business expense. They then detail the new Tokyo property, highlighting

its spaciousness, recent renovations, and prime location next to a U.S. military golf course, while noting its distance from central Tokyo and some minor structural concerns.

They share their experiences navigating the Japanese real estate process, including the challenges of not performing a home inspection and transferring the deposit. Despite these hurdles, their offer was accepted after the initial buyer's mortgage fell through.

Joey and Take outline their next steps, such as transferring the deposit, setting up utilities, and planning their move-in. They discuss furnishing the house and express excitement about having a yard, a potential sauna, and proximity to Costco. The episode wraps up with their plans to document their journey and future steps in upcoming podcasts.

Did you know? A majority of homeowners prefer their house doesn’t collapse while they’re inside of it!

Earthquakes are a topic that permeates nearly every foreigner discussion around Japan—especially when it comes to purchasing an older akiya.

So how safe is it?

Japan-based Dutch architect Koen Klinkers walks through the key things to inspect and consider when buying a home in Japan, followed by a review of Japan’s latest round of building safety codes: why it exists, what it means for home buyers, how it affects renovations, tips on permitting, and so much more.

Check out Koen Klinkers at Front Office Tokyo: https://frontofficetokyo.com/

Read about Japan's new building codes here: https://www.adfwebmagazine.jp/en/architect/impact-of-japanese-building-code-revisions-from-april-2025-on-renovation/

00:37 Introduction & Koen on the 2025 World Expo

03:04 The April 2025 Building Standard Law Revision

07:44 Permitting & the Japanese government’s enforcement power

12:07 Bathrooms & moisture damage

13:09 Environmental restrictions

18:24 Are Pre-1981 homes safe to live in?

23:05 Are earthquake safety inspections necessary for akiya buyers?

24:57 Earthquake resistant materials: Drywall

27:39 The permitting process & tips on working with contractors & local government

32:29 How are updated codes announced and distributed?

33:48 Joey & Take’s new build - wood vs. steel

35:11 Japanese housemakers - Customizations & how they work

In this episode, Joey and Take dive into the exciting new features coming to AkiyaMart, including zoning and hazard maps, historical sold data, and customizable email alerts. Learn how these updates will enhance your property search experience in Japan, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the technical challenges and creative solutions driving these innovations.

00:10 Introduction

02:02 AkiyaMart Upgrades and SEO Efforts

06:46 Challenges and Future Features

18:17 Tackling Documentation and Feature Requests

19:34 Dream Features for AkiyaMart

24:12 Exploring Property Investments and Future Plans