9 Things to Have Ready Before Buying an Akiya

An episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, hosted by Take Kurosawa, titled "9 Things to Have Ready Before Buying an Akiya" was published on July 18, 2025 and runs 41 minutes.

July 18, 2025 ·41m · Buying a House in Japan

Summary

In this episode of the Buying A House in Japan Podcast, the team—Erik, Joey, and Take—reunite to discuss critical steps and considerations for purchasing property in Japan. They cover a wide range of topics from setting up a Wise.com account for seamless fund transfers, understanding the cultural and logistical differences in rural Japan, to tempering expectations on the transaction timeline. Eric highlights the importance of a vision board for your ideal property, Joey emphasizes having extra cash on hand and dealing with Japan's unique bureaucratic challenges, while Take stresses the need for energy and flexibility in this process. The episode also touches on the implications of Japan's current political climate on foreign property buyers and underscores the importance of having realistic expectations. Overall, the discussion provides practical tips for anyone serious about buying a house in Japan. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:49 Morning Coffee Rituals 02:46 Current Events in Japan 03:54 Political Climate and Real Estate 09:30 Six Things to Know Before Buying Property in Japan 21:55 Defining Your Dream Home 22:28 The Vision Board Approach 22:49 Real Estate Search Success Story 23:52 Visa Challenges and Realities 25:13 Navigating Japanese Bureaucracy 29:16 Energy and Commitment Required 35:09 Financial Preparedness 37:32 Final Tips and Encouragement

Episode Description