Buying a House in Japan: The Smartest Real Estate Investment You’ve Never Considered

Buying a House in Japan: The Smartest Real Estate Investment You’ve Never Considered

Welcome to Ryotaos Japan! These days, abandoned homes and countries that have vacation houses in Japan are getting a lot of attention from foreigners. And as I showed you in my previous video, I actually bought one myself, here in Zao, near Sendai. In this video, I’ll dive into why I chose Zao, what it’s like to own a vacation home here, and show you some incredible properties that are currently for sale. Now, you may have heard of the term Akiya, which has been trending a lot online recently. These are all abandoned Japanese houses, usually in countryside. And Japan has a lot of them. Some reports say that nearly 14% of all properties in Japan are empty. Sometimes they’re just in areas where nobody wants to rent or buy. Sometimes they’re just too old and it’s too much of a hassle to make them really livable. Sometimes they’re just abandoned and the owner can’t be found. And recently, it’s become a trend for foreigners to buy these more traditional houses and refurb them into dream homes. Which sounds good, in theory. I mean, who wouldn’t want to live out their My Neighbor Totoro fantasy in the countryside of Japan? This sounds perfect. But in reality, the costs and problems that you may face when buying an Akiya can be way more than you probably think. Often, these houses are in a remote location and have deteriorated so much over the years that you would have to completely redo things like the plumbing, electrics and even insulation. That’s not to mention things like property taxes, city planning taxes, and then you have to factor in natural disasters and then making everything earthquake proof. That is just way too much of a headache. And so when I was looking for to buy my property to renovate into an Airbnb, I decided to try something a little simpler and found a place within the community of buyable and rentable spaces in Zao near Sendai. And what’s so good about this area is that not only is this just short drive from city center, but it’s full of things to do. Skiing? We have it. The famous Fox Village? Right next door. Delicious food and locally produced treats? You bet. In my place, I even got the local onsen to flow into a storm bath. Take that, Ghibli. Zao has everything you need and more. So let’s look at those three properties I’ve mentioned at three different price points, from cheap to expensive. And who knows, maybe you’ll see something you want to turn into your dream home. I’m home. Thinking of buying a house in Japan? What it costs? How it works? Or if it’s worth it? Let’s find out together. Let’s head into the housing community known as Sansuyen. My friend Udagawa-san, who manages the properties in the area, is going to show us the first location. So today, we’d like to show you the three villas that you might want to buy in Zao. The first one, what is the place? This is the place where it’s the most easy to purchase. It’s a lot of蓄電 number, but it’s a good building. If you want to renovate it, you’ll be able to use it. Let’s go ahead and see if you want to see it. So we head inside. The first thing we are greeted by is this huge ceiling with lots of natural light coming through the windows. This property is in more traditional Japanese style with a classic kitchen and dining room, a living room that doubles as a bedroom, and an upstairs bedroom. The idea being that you keep futons inside the large cupboard during the day, and then you bring them out at night. And why you may be thinking that those ripped shoji paper doors are something out of the Japanese horror film? These are super easy to replace, and this is a perfect property to transform and refurbish into something to your liking. All the plumbing is intact with the bathroom, and the building itself is completely sturdy. It just needs some love to make it more modern. Yeah, I do know. Are there many people who buy just to rennovate? Yeah, there’s quite a few There’s those who want to rennovate to then sell on But many buy to renovate into somewhere they want to live And this is a property we often recommend to those types of people So someone watching this could turn this into whatever they want – That’s right A British person could make it
British style An American could make it
American style Someone could make it Japanese style too We take on all queries like that, so we can help We’re a one stop shop
for all your needs But just how much would the property that needs fixing up set you back? Thank you for showing me the first place mate Now could you tell me just how much this place costs? How much is this? It’s quite a steal so I almost don’t want to say Seven million yen! So that should be according to today’s rate is like 148 yen per dollar. So it would be like maybe a bit less than 49,000 thousand US dollars, which is pretty affordable, I guess. As you saw, it’s a property that needs to be renovated So when you purchase it, you can change it however you please So if you want to renovate it or you want to create it in a way that you want to renovate it, That’s why the price has
been lowered All right, so if you’d like to turn this place into your style, then this must be the one. That’s property one out of the way, and I’m feeling pretty hungry. So let’s take this opportunity to take you to a nearby restaurant so you can see a little bit of what’s in the area. Just a short drive away is Zao Burger, famous for their pork hamburgers. Zao is famous for its pork because there are some pig farms around here. You know how pigs cry? In Japanese, we say boo. That’s how they name this place. This place is called Zao Boo Burger, named after how they cry. So here I am with double boo burgers and boo cheese burger. Whenever I see these burgers, I mean guys tell me like just how, I don’t, I have no idea how to eat this one. Maybe I should ask like Nick from Junk Food Japan, he might be a pro. Crush it, crush it. Wow. Ow. Mmm. I mean, I know that there are people who like say, oh beef is always better. You know, A5 beef, like it’s something that you should eat in Japan. That’s the only thing you should eat in Japan. No, pork is another thing, which can be actually sometimes better than beef. And this is it. The pork is very, very juicy. The vegetables in between are really, really fresh as well. With tomatoes and the salt and mustard. And that was really perfect for the burger. Mmm. So this is Zao Boo Cheese Burger. Cheese is always justice. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. Wow. Compared to what I just had, with the cheese, I mean, the patty should be the same one. But with the cheese, it’s just so milky. You know, it creates a completely different world. It tastes like something that I just had in Europe. Some kind of, you know, chicken with like a cheese on the top and with the fish and all that. You know, in a restaurant or something. It’s that good. I mean, it might sound too much of exaggeration, but it’s not. It’s that good. Mmm. You know, I’ve been doing so many retakes. You know, like I should have like finished with like this burger with about one bite. Because this is Cameron’s burger. And look at this. It’s halfway gone. And I’m eating. I’m taking another retake. God, I’m full. Because I just had like one double burger and half of the cameraman’s burger. So, but now it’s time to take a look at other two houses. Let’s go. With lunch out of the way, it’s time we head to property number two. As Udagawa-san rejoins us to show us the middle price house. Hi everyone. So, this is second one. English? No, Japanese only. No, no, no, no. Really? Okay, Japanese only. I got carried away So this is the second property? Yes It’s already impressive ‘THE’ log house Yes, so, right. Alright mate, show me what you got Let’s go Right this way Property number two is a beautiful spacious log cabin. High up in the forest area of the community. surrounded by nature. The perfect place for cozy nights after a day of skiing was just to relax away from the city. So, the second one. Yes, the second one. What kind of property is this? As you can probably tell,
this is a log house It’s built on a raised platform So there’s nothing but trees around the house itself There’s a swing! – Correct This was most likely created with left over materials from the house So they recycled the wood? Literally part of the house itself And what about this room? This is the dining and kitchen space It can also be used as a
living space too Yeah mate just stick a sofa there and you’re golden Maybe a table, get your grub on And what’s this over here? This way is the bath Gi’us a gander mate – Can I come in? – Do I have a choice? It’s in really good condition! Does the hot spring water come out from here? Yes, it comes with hot spring taps A modern log house with a
hot spring bath?! – Correct What about the first
property we saw? – That has a hot spring running too That one too?! Onsen Hot Spring water runs through all of the properties here I never would’ve imagined a hot spring from here, bloody hell My gaff’s tub looks like an onsen But it’s surprising to have one in a place like this You’ve only gone and left me gobsmacked mate And on the second floor, there are two more rooms for you to turn into the bedrooms, a study or another living space. And of course, all the gas, plumbing and electricity is all up to scratch. Just be careful not to leave any candles late overnight. That is a lot of wood. This place is i really good condition – It is right? – How old is this place? Around 15 years old – So it’s still very new Has a very strong wooden smell Yeah, one of the special aspects
of a log house The first place was in need of a rennovation But this place you could easily live here straight away As long as you buy furniture this place is good to go Compared to property one, there is a lot less renovating that needs to be done to this place. But how much does our middle range property cost? You could use this straight away – Yes, good for those who just want to add their favourite furniture – No need to think about changing the interior design – You can keep the interior as is – Just furniture and
you’re good to go You can move in straight away Alright mate now I’m interested, how much does this one cost? – You wanna know? – Go on mate, tell us – Should I tell you? – Tell me bruv This one is 15,800,00 15,800,00 Yen makes it… *$107,611 – That’s a bargain – It’s a good deal – It really is a good deal Yeah mate You’ve got ski slopes near by The famous Zao crater You’ve got fox village There’s a lot going on for this place I want this place… Maybe I can buy it… Buy another! I’ll give it a think, thanks mate Now let’s see the last place Cheers mate – Let’s go! (Ryotato repeats words needlessly giving the subtitler an aneurysm) and last up is our most expensive property of the day and just from the outside it’s looking very fancy – Here we go, the last property – Just looking at the walls, you can tell it’s new – It’s new – How old is this place? – This place is newly built Only a few months old I have nothing but
high hopes for this place You won’t be dissapointed Alright mate, give us a peep wow smells like just built Bloody hell So this is currently up for sale? All the furniture comes with the place too – So everything here comes with the place? – You could move in today – It’s ready today?! wow It even has a fire place – Indeed it does It’s a vacation home, so a fire place is a must This is the..LIVING DINING KITCHEN Why suddenly English? It comes with a large living area And like you said, with the fire place it’s a very warm vibe And the Kitchen is a half island? – Correct What are the other rooms like? There’s two rooms here and here And a third room here There’s two rooms here? – They’re different rooms – Let’s take a look at the one here Thanks Oh it’s a guy’s room! Yeah the concept is for someone into bikes and motorbikes This guy’s not dead is he?! No he’s not dead, no one in the helmet That’s good then And there’s the bike jackets and coats A room that someone could also sleep in too You could even put
two single beds in here Ah yeah, two singles could fit too And now the second room Thanks And now the second room What’s all this then?! This is a room for someone to relax on their own Drink whiskey, put a screen or a projector over here And all this furniture comes with it too? – Yes it comes with it This is… Beef (Beef repetiton) Beef Jerky Bloody good mate So that was the first, and this is the second – The last one is over there – Let’s go The main bedroom This is the main bedroom – There’s a room for a woman And a room for a man Does this couple not get along? Yeah they hate each other Let’s keep that a secret So if you wanted to rent this place out It’s better to have more rooms, even for the same amount of people So it’s good for people like that or if you have a lot of family staying There’s rooms that each person can use to their liking and just like the other properties this luxury space comes with its own bath as well as a washing machine and dryer but it’s not just the interior that’s built to impress as Udagawa-san shows me the secret weapon of this last property and it’s outside Here?! This is it This is all an outside bath? All of this? Yes, all of this Go on mate, show me the inside – Let’s head in Bloody hell This is amazing Sugoi! Surrounded by a forest Enjoy the negative ions in nature So this is the hot spring too? – Yes, the onsen – So you can run your own hot spring and sit out in nature Yes Alone in nature Yes, Alone in nature This is bloody amazing And there’s no one on this side, so completley private What did you think? I want to live in this place Thanks for showing me the third place Bloody good mate It already has furniture, an outside bath and it’s completley new You can probably tell from outside, it’s made from good materials Made of the good stuff But after the first and second place, asking for the price here is scary – I’m scared to tell you How much is it? 65,000,000 yen That makes it… *$442,000 New places are more expensive Even then, it’s worth it – Worth it? Yes It’s true though, walking around inside The space, the outside bath Cheers for that mate You showed me three properties today But your company Gaia, do you also have places that are for stays? We do There’s 50 within this community and 70 including Sendai and other areas And you can rent those all on AirBnB? – Yes, if you search for ‘Gaia resorts’ Gotcha So someone could see this, come here and say ‘I want to buy this one’
with an appointment obviously, They can meet you? Of course English OK? Just little bit… We’re waiting for you Thanks for showing me number three mate and there we have it 3 different properties at 3 different price points from needing some love and care all the way to I want to live there right now which was your favorite villa and what did you think of the prices but before we finish for today I wanted to ask Udagawa-san just what it takes to buy one of these properties This company Gaia is going to start a new tour in which you’re going to visit this fantastic spots around the Zao area and then get to stay at one of these airbnbs like mine for instance and you should stay at mine We ask your budget and what you’re looking for first, how large, what sort of interior etc. And based on what you tell us we can find you somewhere so that is an amazing tour that he’s actually going to start very soon right so if you’re interested in details of the tour please take a look at the urls in the description box below so are you ready? yeah so I will see you in next video hello

Buying a House in Japan: The Smartest Real Estate Investment You’ve Never Considered

Have you ever thought about Japan not just as a travel destination, but as a real estate opportunity? 🏡 From abandoned akiya (空き家) priced at just a few thousand dollars to breathtaking villas in the mountains of Zao, Japan is opening doors for investors and dreamers around the world.

In this video you’ll discover:
💡 Why Japan’s real estate market is attracting global attention
💡 How affordable properties can be compared to vacation homes in the U.S. and Europe
💡 The lifestyle and rental income potential of owning a Japanese villa
💡 What it’s really like to explore and buy property as a foreigner

🌟 Want to see for yourself?
Join a Villa Hunting Tour in Zao where you can:
✔ Stay overnight in the mountains
✔ Visit multiple properties guided by local experts
✔ Learn about costs, legal processes, and investment potential

👉 Full details here: Zao Villa Hunting Tour
https://www.tabinoteitaku.jp/pages/476

👉Also make sure to check out at my Airbnb RYO!
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1038846112161946082
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📷Follow my adventure on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/ryotarosjapan/

📘Check out my Twitter account!
https://twitter.com/ryotarosjapan?s=09​

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