A Cheap Houses Japan Newsletter Review (From Someone Actually Living in a Cheap House in Japan)
The most convenient way to start understanding the residential real estate market in Japan. It’s legit, it’s well curated, it’s operated by a real human, and comes with a few extra bells and whistles like the interactive map of back-listings and interesting articles. It’s time for a Cheap Houses Japan Newsletter Review!
Based on the number of hours put into curating 20 noteworthy properties every week, it is absolutely worth it. And to make it even more affordable, you can click through this discount link to get another 20% off.
Will it actually help you find a house you can buy? Yes, it can. Having lived in Japanese akiya houses (vacant Japanese houses) for a minute now, I’d like to share some additional insights about finding a cheap house here.
What You Won’t Hear from the @CheapHousesJapan Instagram
Cheap Japanese houses under $150k. Sounds great, right? What’s the catch?
Living in the Japanese Countryside Isn’t All Rice Paddies and Cute Grannies
The cheapest houses are in rural Japan areas, so expect inaka culture. Japan is a foreign country. We use the word foreign to describe things we don’t understand. So it should make sense that the one thing you can expect in Japan is that you will encounter the unexpected. From culture shock to the economy, this is a different place in many ways.
See also: What I’ve Learned Living in Rural Japan & What To Expect
Moving to Japan is Difficult
You will often see the Cheap Houses Japan site advertise that they are showing you potential vacation homes. They know that it’s difficult to move to Japan. Visas are fairly restrictive and have an expiration date. Obtaining a more permanent residence status is difficult. It is possible (I’m here to prove it), but it is not necessarily easy.
See also: The How to Move to Japan Online Course
The Housing Market Isn’t a Financial Investment
If you are from North America like me, you are used to seeing house values inflate with the occasional bubble here and there. The conventional wisdom is that over time, a house is a worthwhile investment. But in Japan, house lifespans are viewed as finite, depopulation makes the demand for homes fewer and fewer, and houses simply don’t hold their value the same way.
If you are buying a house in Japan, you are someone like me. You aren’t trying to be here for the money. You are someone who is following their passion and daring to imagine a simple life, a natural life, or a different alternative lifestyle.
The Real Value of The Cheap Houses Japan Newsletter
Did you know that you can find affordable houses with their own indoor hot springs? Or a combination home/main level storefront? Did you know that you can get a freshly renovated flat in Kyoto for ~$80k? Thanks to the newsletter, I know these things now.
While I’m happy living in the mountains of Ehime prefecture with my husband, in another lifetime, it would have been good to know what was available before settling somewhere. Even if your plan is to wait until you are in Japan to invest, I think it’s a good idea to become familiar with what deals are available in some of the nicer, curated properties through this newsletter.
There are also legitimately many people who have used this newsletter to find the homes they purchased and live in or use as vacation homes. It’s not out of the question if your cards are in line.
Cheap Houses Japan Newsletter: Recommended, with a Disclaimer
The buying a house part is a bit more complicated than just finding a cheap house in Japan. That being said, if this is something that you are serious or curious about, subscribing to the newsletter is a super convenient, low-investment way to step into the Japanese housing market. And it’s the only trustworthy pay-to-access Japanese residential real estate newsletter service I could find.
$10 $8/month discount rate, easy to cancel
P.S. How cool would it be to fix up a kominka like this?
Other FAQs
How long can I live in Japan if I buy a house?
Homeownership doesn’t come with residency privileges. You will either need to visit short-term on a tourist visa and organize property management during your time away, or plan a strategy for a long-term visa. Here’s a good overview article on your visa options: Best Ways to Move to Japan: Visa Advice from an Expert
Can I turn an akiya house into an AirBNB?
Theoretically yes, however several requirements need to be satisfied under the Minpaku Act of 2018, such as having a staff person on-property or within walking distance of the property. A license needs to be approved before offering the property as a short-term rental. There is regular paperwork to be filed with the local municipal office as well. Here is a good overview article on how to open and run an AirBNB in Japan.
Is Japan giving away millions of free houses?
The government isn’t giving away millions of free houses. There has been a growing trend in Japan of individual people and families offering homes and property cheap or free of charge to others. But the clickbait trend claiming “Japan is giving away free houses” is fairly misleading.
Some municipalities offer “free house” programs after some years. More municipalities offer subsidies for repair, maintenance or removal of akiya houses, however please note that these programs are not available in English, and it is likely that they would be unavailable to Japan non-residents.
Read more: Free Houses in Japan: A Dream Come True in the Japanese Countryside?
What areas in Japan have renovation subsidies and grants?
The below information is included for general information and convenience purposes only. Full program terms and exclusions should be investigated directly from the municipal office.
| Kashima City, Saga Prefecture | Their akiya renovation grants will subsidize half the cost of renovating kitchens, toilets, etc. (up to 500,000 yen). |
| Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture | Their “Young People’s Rent Subsidy Program” covers half the rent (up to 30,000 yen) for immigrants under the age of 50. |
| Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture | For people who are planning to move into or live in vacant houses, if the renovation costs exceed 1 million yen, a subsidy of one-third (up to 1 million yen) will be provided. |
| Akaido Town, Hokkaido | If the property is live in for 10 years or more, a subsidy of 3 million yen will be provided for housing construction/renovation funds. |
| Ome City, Tokyo | Via the “Ome City Vacant House Utilization Support Project.” |
| Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture | Vacant house renovation subsidy system |
| Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture | Vacant House Utilization and Renovation Subsidy Project |
| Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture | Fukuoka City Vacant House Utilization Subsidy |
| Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture | The city will subsidize part of the costs required to renovate akiya bank houses if you live there for more than five years and join the neighborhood association. (Unzen City Settlement Promotion Subsidy) |
| Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture | Up to 1 million yen to cover home improvement expenses. |
Which Japanese towns offer housing support?
These areas have various support programs in place to encourage people to move and stay there. The programs may include construction grants, childbirth incentives, financial relocation incentives, infertility subsidies, home purchase subsidies, wedding gift money, and more.
- Akaigawa Village, Hokkaido
- Shika Town, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture
- Arita City, Wakayama Prefecture
- Matsuno Town, Ehime Prefecture
- Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture
- Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
- Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture
- Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Kaga City in Ishikawa Prefecture
Is Cheap Houses Japan a scam?
No. The account and newsletter are run by a guy who bought a cheap house in Japan many years ago and is spreading the word.
What repairs and damage should I look out for in a cheap house?
Termites are robust in Japan and often take up residence in the structures of old wooden houses, especially near moist footings or leaking roofs. It’s usually easy to pull away floor boards to get a closer look. But if there is termite damage, anticipate extermination services starting at $3000 to $5000 USD, plus wood replacement that could easily start at $10,000 USD.
Deteriorating roofs are expensive to replace. Heavy kawara clay tile roofs will need a team of multiple people for removal and disposal. Metal roofs are generally preferred as a replacement due to cost effectiveness and their light weight, which is safer in event of earthquake.
Lack of modern comforts, for example, insulation. Old houses are often very old in the winter, with no insulation in walls, under the floor or in the roof. It’s basically like camping 100% of the time. You might also find some old houses that have firewood cooking stoves or toilets with no running water.
Electrical systems may be dated or lacking. A new breaker will start at about $800 USD. You might also find that there are not enough outlets to your liking or you prefer switches for lights. By the way, it is illegal for non-licensed people to do electrical work. No DIYing this stuff.
Mold. With the country’s high humidity, it’s common in Japan for homes to be aired out daily to prevent the growth of mold. Since these houses may be vacant and closed for years at a time, it’s common to see mold buildup under tatami mats, on walls, in cupboards and pretty much anywhere else. This will require at the minimum some intensive cleaning. Possibly painting, refinishing or replacement of finishes and fixtures.
How do you move to Japan?
We made the most comprehensive moving to Japan course to help you do just that. Use code “INAKALIFE60” for $60 off. 🙂
Do I need to speak Japanese to get a house?
Not necessarily, but you will need a translator or intermediary to assist with the process. The paperwork needs to be filled out in Japanese.
