Japan Real Estate

In this JREP session, we discuss AI & Tech in Japan's real-estate sector, review lending criteria & the evaluation process for business owners applying for mortgages, AND - announce the full list of speakers and topics for the up and coming autumn session of the Japan Real Estate Summit, to be held at the Tokyo International Forum and streamed online on 17-18 October, 2026!

The first half of our interview with Naomi Kai & Hayato Goto, co-authors of "The Rural Japan Hosting Blueprint", a book which lays down the foundations for a scalable, profitable hospitality property portfolio in the inaka - what to buy, how to manage it efficiently, how to automate procedures, handle guest complaints, and much, much more.

We catch up with Joey & Take, co-founders of "AkiyaMart", on their recent re-branding to "Mokomoko", what's new on the platform, what's in the works - and also about visas, market trends, bars and - colonoscopies(???)

In this second, "mother of all deep-dives" interview, on the @japanexpertinsights podcast, we talk about...well, everything you should be aware of. Seriously. Do not miss this one!

We speak to Kendall Bharath, a real estate agent and construction project manager based in Asahikawa, Hokkaido - what's the local market like, how do foreigners and Japanese differ in mentality, both at work and when shopping for homes, what should people consider and avoid when purchasing, and much, much more.

We speak to two potential buyers, both in the market for a holiday home that they can rent out on AirBnb or similar channels when they're away. What would be the best property for them to purchase? What what should they consider when renting it out?

Our Japan Real Estate Experts Panel (JREP) gets together to discuss the origins of the term "minpaku" (private lodging/ vacation rentals), the definition and use of the word "akiya", and the current interest rates landscape.

In this deep-dive interview on the Japan Expert Insights podcast, we break down the differences between real estate investment in Japan and in other markets, discuss asset classes, dos and dont's, the business environment, common practices, and what buyers should be aware of before pulling the trigger on their first deal.

Two back to back conversations with first-time buyers - one looking for a single family holiday home in or around Tokyo - the other for an investment condo in Fukuoka. We break down costs, listings research, due diligence, purchase procedures and post-settlement management options.

We speak to Chai Kanda, founder & CEO of "Shiki Properties", on the topic of Kyoto & Kansai's hospitality properties market, boutique hotels, & winter resorts - what's happening in the market, what are people buying, and what SHOULDN'T they invest in?

We speak to a very motivated seller, just about to put his complex on the market, in up-market, picturesque, Chiba prefecture, near world-famous surfing beach Ichinomiya - check out the goods!

In this conversation with a foreigner-friendly, bi-lingual realtor based in Tokyo, we analyze Japan's property market from a foreign buyer's perspective, discuss women in the real estate industry in Japan, and do a deep dive on the various areas in and around Tokyo - which are the best to purchase in?

We got together with JREP members Tracey and Emil for a conversation on current trends and developments, including new regulations and compliance requirements, for Japan's short term stay property operators - how to avoid getting into trouble with the local ward office, who are some of the new guest profiles you should be catering to, and much, much more.

In this very special episode, we get together with Matt Ketchum from @AkiyazJapan for a look at a very unique property, available for purchase, which will provide the right buyer with a truly unique opportunity - what can be done with such a magnificent property? Who is it right for? What could they do with it? Join us as we explore all options & lay out the path to make this dream become a reality.

A conversation with an entrepreneurial young Canadian guy, who's looking to relocate to Japan and start a hospitality management business in the Japanese country side. He has many questions...

The JREP crew got together to review your feedback of the JRE summit, which took place in April, in Tokyo and online. What did you like, what didn't you like, and what's going to change in the next events?

We speak to a first time buyer, in the market for a super cheap holiday home - and then to an old "Japan hand" who's bought here for the very first time - and has a cautionary tale to share!

Shu Matsuo Post & Brett Lee's presentation at the Japan Real Estate Summit, Spring 2026 The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

Emil Gorgees' presentation at the Japan Real Estate Summit, Spring 2026 The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

Alicia Qin Wang's presentation at the Japan Real Estate Summit, Spring 2026 The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

Ben Tanaka's presentation at the Japan Real Estate Summit, Spring 2026 The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

Ziv Nakajima-Magen demonstrates a new AI powered property analyzer system. The autumn session of the JRE summit will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

Cultural expectations and operational realities shape cross-border property transactions in Japan. Through real-world scenarios - including documentation, payment, logistics, and investment timelines - this session reveals where friction occurs and how aligning expectations helps deals close smoothly. The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

What Every Minpaku Investor Must Understand Before Buying in Japan. The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

All summit speakers joined two open Q&A sessions - last summit day session here. The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

All summit speakers joined two open Q&A sessions - first summit day session here. The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

How to make something out of (close to) nothing, with strategic property acquisition & management, and away from familiar, routine distribution models. The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

Mark & Wyatt break down "Yen Loans" financing product for non-resident buyers – finance your holiday home, AirBnb property, or leverage your existing portfolio for any project, real-estate related or otherwise. The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

As the STR market matures, the next frontier is the 10–20 room boutique hotel—blending guesthouse intimacy with professional hotel features. This session provides a "boots on the ground" guide to navigating this transition, drawing on active knockdown-rebuild and remodeling projects in Kyoto. The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

The dos and don'ts of renovations in Japan. Blanka shares the 2026 Japanese playbook to help you ensure your projects are done on time and budget. The autumn session will take place on 17-18th October, 2026 - subscribe & watch this space for the official announcement, early-bird discounted tickets registration, and list of speakers for the next event!

We speak to an Hawaiian couple who are about to buy a holiday condo in one of Japan's major cities - here's what they need to know.

Two back to back conversations - one with a Canadian investor interested in multi-unit building investments, and one with a couple looking for a holiday home in Hokkaido that they can also rent out for short-term stays. We review the best strategies they should be following.

Two back to back conversations with first time buyers in Japan - one wanting to invest in a tier 1 or 2 city - the others looking for a holiday condo in snowy Hokkaido - here's what they should be thinking about!

We speak to three buyers, each in the market for different reasons - the first is looking for a modern family home - the second for a holiday home/ Akiya - and the third at a potential hybrid/ short term stay rental property. They each have different budgets, different considerations, and different locations in mind - what should their approach to this first purchase consider?

Two back to back conversations - one with a Japan based, experienced investor, and one with a first-time, non-resident would-be investor - what lessons could the former teach the latter?

Thrilled to announce our brand new, AI/ Ziv powered JRE Investment Analysis tool!!!

We speak to an old "Japan Hand" who isn't sure if she wants to buy a holiday home - or an investment property. Which path should she take? What should she be thinking about?

We speak with two buyers, one planning to purchase a new/ish Tokyo duplex, the other an old house on a remote island, who are both planning to live at the property and rent it out to short term stay guests via minpaku/ AirBnb. What are the similarities and differences between both of these cases? What special considerations should they keep in mind? How would they each finance the purchase, and what sort of returns can they expect?

Two back to back conversations with two buyers - one in the market for a Fukuoka city holiday condo, the other for "bottom of the barrel" cheap land parcels for the purpose of land banking - does that even work in Japan???

What should he be thinking about? What should he watch out for? Also - two more bonus calls on the topic of Japan real estate property investments - don't go away after the first call!

Ziv sits down with Jeremy Laughlin of "Momentum Worldwide Movers" for a deep dive chat about all things related to life, business, and real-estate in Japan.

We speak to a Singapore family who are looking for a Tokyo holiday home that they can rent out profitably when not in use. What is the right way to approach such a purchase, what would management look like, and how can we help them?

Three(!) back to back conversations with first time buyers, looking to purchase and remotely manage their holiday homes in Japan - what would the numbers look like, and what are the risks?

We speak with two first time buyers, in the market for cheap, vacant homes in Japan - what are the most important things they should be aware and cautious of during the purchase process?

In this first episode of the year, we get together with the JREP crew to talk mortgage rates in Japan, check out a renovation project - and announce the latest new speakers for the up and coming spring session of the Japan Real Estate Summit, 18-19 April, in Tokyo and online. (Bonus second call - this buyer just landed in Japan and wants to view properties THIS WEEK - can we help them?)

We sit down with Mark Drabkin, founder of "Yen Loans" - a Tokyo-based start-up focused on providing real estate financing to foreigners in Japanese Yen - INCLUDING for holiday homes, short term stay properties and even non-real estate businesses - and all this without them having to setup a Japanese corporate structure, deal with Japanese banks and their pesky compliance requirements - and get it all done in English!

Two back to back conversations with first time buyers in Japan - the first looking to build an investment property portfolio and wondering what his rights as a landlord are - and the second looking for super-cheap akiya (abandoned/ vacant homes) in the countryside and wondering how one goes about acquiring and managing those.

We speak to three young entrepreneurs and co-founders who have purchased an akiya in the Japanese countryside, renovated and turned it into a health & wellbeing retreat, and are doing it all THE RIGHT WAY (also, exclusive discount to our subscribers and viewers - get yours in the link below!)

Two back to back conversations with clients purchasing their first property in Japan - how does it all work, how much would it cost, and how can it be rented out when not in use? Also, on the second call (starting at 48:20) - some live deal analysis and review!

We speak to an Australian couple, in the market for a holiday home in Osaka, which they're also planning to rent out on AirBnb or by the month. We break down the processes, time frames and costs involved, discuss insurance, foreign exchange transfers, and much more.