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

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 multiple homes in the same small area (versus spreading across the country) lets you actually maintain and care for each property.
• Traditional roofing styles (clay tile vs. thatch vs. metal) vary by region and climate, and understanding them helps with renovation decisions.
• Gardening and helping neighbors with rice planting are among the fastest ways to build real relationships in a rural Japanese community.
• "Anti-foreigner sentiment" headlines don't mathc the on-the-ground experience in most rural areas. Neighbors are often grateful when someone renovates an abandoned home.

In This Episode

• Erik's background running a remodel company in Minnesota and how it translates to Japanese home renovation.
• The story behind his fourth home purchase... A literal walk across the street!
• Differences between clay tile, thatched, and metal roofing across Japanese regions.
• Why buying multiple properties in one small area beats spreading purchases across the country.
• How Erik's plans for a "cultural exchange" stay experience are taking shape, including QR-code guided local activities.
• A local pizza spot with a Michelin Guide nod and a surprisingly innocent backstory behind its name.
• Why Niigata deserves more attention: fermentation and miso history, blacksmithing, sake, surfing, and skiing.
• Erik's first season of vegetable gardening — what worked (basil, potatoes, herbs), what didn't, and how ChatGPT became an unlikely farming advisor.
• What it's really like to help plant rice with a neighbor's family, and why "planting hell" is a more accurate description than "peaceful hobby".
• Postwar farmland-size restrictions in Japan and how they shaped today's small-scale farming culture.
• Practical tips for anyone considering a garden plot after buying a home in the Japanese countryside.

Resources Mentioned

• Book a consultation with the team to start your own Japan home-buying journey
• Browse listings on the show's English-friendly property search site
• Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok for property tips and renovation updates

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop it in the comments or send us an email using the contact info in this description. You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok for property tips and updates.

🏠 Browse 500,000+ English-friendly listings at https://www.akiya-mart.com/
📧 Questions? Email us at contact@akiya-mart.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for properties, tips, and renovation updates

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 rural Tokyo neighborhood.
• New rules around e-bike helmets and sidewalk riding that could affect your permanent residency application.
• Why they finally found termites in the house and what the treatment process looks like in Japan.
• Their plan for insulation and double-glazed windows, including expected costs and government subsidies.
• A practical trash storage tip every akiya owner needs to keep the crows out.
• How meal delivery services have changed their eating habits on renovation trips.

Key Takeaways

Renovating a house in Japan is a slow, ongoing process. Take and Joey talk honestly about what it took to move from "camping in an empty house" to a place that feels finished, and why rushing the process usually backfires. They also share real numbers on cold plunge installation, insulation costs, and termite treatment, so you know what to budget for if you're considering a similar property.

Resources Mentioned

• Their real estate listing site for browsing Japanese homes
• Clean Keeper outdoor storage container (trash solution)
• Panasonic e-bikes (used market)

Connect With Us

Have questions about buying a house in Japan? Send an email to the address in our show description, or find us on Instagram and TikTok for property tips, home buying updates, and behind the scenes renovation content. If this episode was helpful, leave us a five star rating. It takes five seconds and helps other people find the show.

🏠 Browse 500,000+ English-friendly listings at https://www.akiya-mart.com/
📧 Questions? Email us at contact@akiya-mart.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for properties, tips, and renovation updates

In this episode, Take and Joey discuss the intricacies of closing costs with Kendall Bharath, a REMAX real estate agent based in Hokkaido, Japan. Kendall explains the appeal of Hokkaido for its exceptional snow conditions, ideal for skiing and snowboarding, and shares his journey from teaching to real estate. The episode focuses extensively on the specifics of closing costs associated with purchasing property in snowy regions like Hokkaido, emphasizing the challenges and expenses of maintaining properties in areas prone to heavy snowfall.

Kendall provides detailed information about broker commissions, registration fees, and property management expenses, particularly for older buildings that require significant upkeep. The discussion also covers practical advice for potential investors considering the Hokkaido real estate market.

For more information or to contact Kendall Bharath, reach out via:

- **Phone**: 090-2877-2602

- **E-mail**: kendall.bharath@remax-agt.net

Interested in a condo similar to the one discussed in the podcast? View the listing here: [View Condo Listing](https://www.iri.ne.jp/property/detail.php/b/100348807).

In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, hosts Joey and Take celebrate their move into their new Jisoji Lux Chill Lounge. They discuss the impact of inflation in Japan, sharing personal experiences of rising prices at their favorite local restaurants. They also dive into various modes of transportation in the country, comparing the benefits and challenges of ferries, driving, Shinkansen, and flights. The duo touches on their ongoing real estate ventures, including the challenges of renovating and renting out multiple properties, and introduce an exciting Bitcoin transaction plan for a property in Nagasaki. They aim to make the real estate process smoother and more accessible for foreigners.

00:00 Introduction and New Recording Space

02:26 Inflation in Japan: Personal Experiences

12:05 Exploring Transportation in Japan

18:02 Switching Gears: Renovation Stress and Mortgage Pressure

19:40 The Reality of Property Investments

21:21 Challenges in Renovating and Renting Properties

22:30 Exploring New Business Opportunities

29:50 The Nagasaki Bitcoin Property Experiment

35:24 Reflecting on the Journey and Future Plans

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 completing its ryokan license, and targeting a May launch. Otaru, a skier's paradise, is also a huge domestic draw for food tourism.

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 podcast@akiya-mart.com

Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team is Carlos Gutierrez., Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro: Back at Jissoji Lux

00:32 Where It All Started

02:13 Gear Talk and First Beer

04:12 Joey's Solo Otaru Trip

05:29 Why Otaru Works

08:43 The Scallop Story

11:37 Otaru Property and Sale Timeline

13:40 Why Having a Tokyo Base Matters

15:45 Getting Around Japan With an Akiya

18:10 Fukuoka as a Japan Base

19:48 The Van and the Drive to Beppu

20:28 Jissoji Lux Today

22:04 How We'd Grade the Renovation

23:13 Why We're Selling Now

24:15 Beppu Walkability

25:05 Hyotan Onsen

27:17 Onsen Etiquette for Newcomers

28:57 Beppu Travel Tips

30:37 Community Onsen Life

32:36 The Exec Retreat Angle

34:37 Taking Profits on a Project

37:14 How Beppu Started the Business

39:59 Who Should Buy This House

42:46 Farewell to J. Lux