Vacation rental

2023-04-28

Transforming Akiya(unused house) into a Hotel?: Navigating the Legal Maze for a Successful Investment

by Yamamoto

Contemplating Purchasing

Akiya and Turning It into a Hotel?

Uncover the Legal Considerations

for Change of Use

If you’re mulling over the idea of buying an Akiya (unused house) in Japan

and converting it into a hotel, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself

with the legal considerations involved in modifying the property’s purpose.

In this blog post, we’ll highlight the primary aspects you need to

keep in mind before diving into this thrilling endeavor.

Stay up-to-date and optimize your investment by following our business

blog for more news and valuable insights.

2019-03-25

Want to enjoy onsen 24/7 ? : Here is what you should do Villa in Hakone (YouTube video)

by Yamamoto

(Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashinoko, Hakone)

When was the last time you stretch your legs in your onsen tub ?

I recently visited Hakone for my client who resides in USA.

He asked me to search a villa in Hakone with onsen (hot springs)

Just a short trip from Tokyo, Hakone has great hot springs at the foot of Mount Fuji.

2019-03-15

The number of foreign tourists is sky-rocketing in Japan: Is it good timing to invest in the hotel segment ?

by Yamamoto

If you are seriously interested in the real estate investment in Japan, the hotel segment is growth potential.
The number of foreign tourists to Japan is set to rise for the seventh straight year and hit a record level of
more than 30 million in 2018.

(Chart : Number of foreign tourists, unit: 10 thousand)

The government is targeting 40 million foreign visitors by 2020, when Tokyo will host the Olympics.

Japan accepted an all-time high of 28.69 million foreign visitors in 2017, up 19.3 percent from the previous year

and the number of visitors are still on rise.

The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in February 2019 rose 3.8 percent from a year earlier to a record 2,604,300,

but the growth in Chinese tourists slowed.

By country and region, the highest number of visitors came from China at 723,600, up 1.0 percent from a year earlier,

according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

However, the pace of growth slowed from 19.3 percent in January with a declining number of cruise ships making stops in Japan.

South Korea was second at 715,800, up 1.1 percent, followed by Taiwan at 399,800, down 0.3 percent, and Hong Kong at 179,300, up 0.5 percent.

The number of visitors from Southeast Asia jumped in February, with Vietnam marking a 68.6 percent leap to 39,400,

Thailand up 31.4 percent to 107,800, and the Philippines up 28.0 percent to 35,200, according to the agency.

On a yearly basis, the number of foreign tourists visiting Japan surpassed 30 million in 2018.
Read more

2019-03-11

Retro Kominka (Japanese old folk house、古民家) for sale near Mt. Fuji : You can run a hotel with view of Mt.Fuji and the lake

by Yamamoto

(Lake Saiko)

Glamorous and chic.

One of my friends is now listing the great KOMINKA (古民家) in Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi prefecture (by Lake Saiko)

The house is less than two hours drive from Shinjuku station and its takes about 2 hours and 15 mins by express bus/train from Shinjuku.

The access is excellent from central Tokyo.

Where is Yamanashi and what is its feature ?

Located within two hours of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Yamanashi boasts fresh air, crystal clean water, and a multitude of attractions

which people come to see all year round. Starting with the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Yamanashi is surrounded by four national and quasi-national parks

– but the region’s natural charms do not end there. You can stroll along the shores of the Fuji Five Lakes, hiking along the Southern Alps,

and feasting your eyes upon Yamanashi’s plateaus, valleys, and lush fields of flowers.

2018-11-03

Discover restful and super-affordable properties in Chiba Boso peninsula: Within easy reach from Tokyo

by Yamamoto

（Boso peninsula)

* Foreigners can buy a property in Japan without having special qualification.

Explore the charming houses by the lovable ocean and beach
New listings in Boso peninsula, Chiba prefecture!
If you live in Tokyo and want to buy a second house near the ocean and beach, I always recommend Boso peninsula (Kamogawa city, Katsuura city, Minamiboso city, Tateyama city etc). The location is excellent and it takes only 1.5 hours from central Tokyo by car.
You can drive on a highway all through to Kamogawa city from Tokyo and there is no traffic. If you don’t want to drive and rather want to indulge in drinking a beer on the way, there is very comfortable express bus service from Tokyo station. The seafoods and vegetables are nice and fresh (In fact, Chiba prefecture is a major supplier of seafood and vegetables to Tokyo Metropolitan kitchens so nice foods you are eating in Tokyo are often produce of Chiba). Izu peninsula area in Shizuoka prefecture is also very famous for nice beaches and onsen (hot springs) but Izu’s location is not perfect. It takes about 3.5 hours by car to Izu Shirahama beach from Tokyo. In the modern busy life, proximity matters.
In Boso peninsula, they have great surf in the pacific ocean and the quality of sea water is superb. (Believe me you can’t imagine how good the quality of water is in Kamogawa city which is merely 1.5 hours away from Tokyo). In 2020, Tokyo Olympics surfing competition will be held in Katsuura city. According to one of my surfer friends, Boso peninsula is the best surfing spot in Japan.
Today I picked up two interesting properties in Boso Peninsula, Chiba prefecture.

2018-09-25

Priceless Opportunity : Magnificent House in Yakushima (World Heritage) and Huge Land for sale

by Yamamoto

(View from the property)

One of my good friends in the industry has just listed a beautiful house in Yakushima.

The small, remote island of Yakushima, which lies off the southern coast of the southernmost of Japan’s four major islands, Kyushu, is shaped something like the Hawaiian isle of Kauai. And just as on that other circular bit of rock over 4,000 miles away across the North Pacific, visitors arrive here seeking respite in subtropical rain forests and mountains. (from NYT)

Situated in the sacred island, this sophisticated new construction is in the exclusive Yakushima island.
The property boasts 1932 square meters of forest land and the fantastic ocean-view.
The house is compact wooden with a toilet which is equipped with the natural disintegrator system.
You don’t need the sewerage.
Read more

2018-09-04

You want to get Japan’s green card by the real estate investment ? : Here is what you practically should do

by Yamamoto

Here is an idea worth considering. Imagine being able to get Japan’s new green card only in a year.
Japan needs more skilled foreign workers.
To attract more foreign workers, Japanese government relaxed requirements for permanent residency (so-called green card) last April (2018)
Before relaxing the requirement, high skilled professional (HSP) workers had to stay in Japan for at least five years before applying for green card, but now just one year is required.
In fact, it is the fastest green card system in the developed countries.
Some pundits are saying relaxed law will bring more foreign high skilled workers but whether it will be a game-changer remains to be seen.
Japan is also said to be a tough country for foreign workers to live due to the very unique traditions such as corporate culture and seniority system, which is another hurdle to clear even after obtaining the green card.
In 2012, Japan introduced a point system for skilled workers. The points are given based on individual backgrounds, including business experience, income, Japanese-language fluency and academic degrees. The system is intended to give preferential status to such skilled workers, including a shortened path for permanent residency. When the system was enacted, those who had 70 points or more could apply for green card after five years. Normally, it takes 10 years to apply for the status.

2018-07-03

1.5 hour by car from the center of Tokyo, enjoy the magnificent ocean view adjacent to Pacific Ocean: Unspoiled real estate opportunities in Kamogawa

by Yamamoto

(Sunset in Katsuura city)

* Foreigners can buy a property in Japan without having special qualification.

The days with the ocean view spreading in front of you will make your time away from your busy city life. You can enjoy BBQ, parties etc in the garden with your friends.
Minamiboso area -Minamiboso city, Tateyama city, Kamogawa city and Katsuura city- in Chiba prefecture
can offer you such priceless time.
If you have never been there, you would be amazed to see the beautiful blue ocean.
Okinawa is better ?
Well, there is really no comparison.
I am not saying Kamogawa is the most beautiful in the world and have topped the list of dream holiday destinations.
There’s no doubting the allure of its perfect white sand beaches and swaying palms in Okinawa or Ishigaki islands.
But you can’t go to Okinawa every week.
Kamogawa certainly is a good place to get away from busy Tokyo and treat yourself to a view of the blue oceans, and wide skies.
In fact, in order to captivate the opportunities due to the recent market dynamics in private lodging law, I am seeking a property (house) to renovate and run as a hotel in Kamogawa right now.
Today I am discussing the viability of the investment in Kamogawa and surrounding area.

Where is Kamogawa ?

(Map from Tokyo to Kamogawa city)

Kamogawa (鴨川市 Kamogawa-shi) is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
As of May 2018, the city had an estimated population of 32,789. It is a small city.
Kamogawa is near the southeastern tip of the Boso Peninsula, facing the Pacific Ocean, about 70 km south of the prefectural capital, Chiba City,
and about 85 km from Tokyo.
The area has a warm maritime climate with hot summers and mild winters.
(perfect for weekend villa or second house !)
Kamogawa is home to Mount Atago, which at 408.2 m (1,339 ft) is the highest point in Chiba Prefecture.

2018-05-22

Are you interested in buying kominka (traditional Japanese folk house, 古民家）in Japan ?: Tips for buying and renovating kominka

by Yamamoto

(kominka in snow)

* Foreigners can buy a property in Japan without having special qualification.

Do you want to be close to beautiful Japanese mountain with your pet ? Or you love skiing ? Want to spend your weekend in real Zen（禅） surroundings with onsen(hot spring 温泉) within 15 mins drive ? Living in kominka could be a good choice.
The term kominka （古民家）refers to traditional Japanese houses, especially ones built a long time ago.
Kominka are not defined by the period they were built or how old they are, but usually the term is used when referring to houses built before the World War II, and especially to those built before the Taisho Period.
We have recently made the strategic collaboration agreement with a renowned kominka renovation specialist(工務店) in Nagano prefecture.We will find an appropriate kominka for the investors or conventional home buyers and renovate outside and inside the house into the pristine condition. We have a list of 100+ kominka properties for sale/rental.

(kominka)
If you want to buy kominka, it is essential to pay attention to what you are doing as you purchase a very unique Japanese traditional house. You want to get this right.
Read more

2018-04-29

A solution to the hotel shortage ? New minpaku (民泊, private lodging) law in Japan : How does it work ? and how can you tap your property ?

by Yamamoto

I have a friend who has enjoyed hosting international visitors in Tokyo in her
own condo.
She has been hosting international visitors in her spare two-bedroom apartment
but will have to stop it because her building association (管理組合）has decided to
ban the minpaku business ahead of the law’s
enactment in June 2018.
She was able to meet many different people she would have not met otherwise.
A lot of foreign friends have been asking me a question about minpaku (民泊、private lodging) in Japan.
Today I am going to discuss the basic knowledge about minpaku and minpaku law
set by the government in 2016.
How does the new minpaku law work ?
What is the implication on the real estate industry ?