mokomoko.japan

Comment LINK for the full video! We were able to help Melanie and Cristian get an old tea ceremony school in Okayama, Japan. Which they’ve now turned into @thesadouinn #japan #akiya #japanrealestate #japanesehouse #japanproperty

Growing up around a language doesn’t always mean you’ll become fluent. A lot of people assume that if you have Japanese family, you’ll naturally speak Japanese. But if you don’t use it every day, it’s surprisingly easy to lose. For many learners, the real progress doesn’t happen until later, when they choose to study consistently and immerse themselves in the language. Whether you’re learning for family, work, or a future in Japan, it’s never too late to start. What inspired you to learn Japanese? #LearnJapanese #JapaneseLanguage #LifeInJapan #MoveToJapan #JapanCulture

Comment LINK for the full video! We were able to help Melanie and Cristian get an old tea ceremony school in Okayama, Japan. Which they’ve now turned into @thesadouinn #japan #akiya #japanrealestate #japanesehouse #japanproperty

Learning Japanese can change your life in ways you never expect. For many people, it starts with something simple. Wanting to talk to family, understand their culture, or reconnect with a part of themselves. But that first step often leads somewhere much bigger. As your Japanese improves, so do your opportunities. For some, that means joining the JET Programme, one of the most accessible ways to move to Japan, with flights and placement support provided. Sometimes learning a language isn’t just about speaking it. It becomes the path to living the life you’ve always wanted. Have you ever thought about moving to Japan? #LearnJapanese #MoveToJapan #LifeInJapan #JETProgramme #JapaneseLanguage

Comment LINK for the full video! We were able to help Melanie and Cristian get an old tea ceremony school in Okayama, Japan. Which they’ve now turned into @thesadouinn #japan #akiya #japanrealestate #japanesehouse #japanproperty

Before you buy a house in Japan, make sure you understand the land that comes with it. A property might include a large yard, fields, or extra land, but that doesn’t always mean you can use or purchase all of it the way you expect. Farmland in Japan is heavily regulated, and buying it can involve additional requirements depending on the property’s classification. That’s why one of the first things we check is exactly what type of land is included before moving forward. Finding the right property isn’t just about loving the house. It’s about making sure you can actually buy everything that comes with it. #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #JapanProperty #Akiya #Farmland

Would you buy a home near Joetsu for $30,000? I gave myself a $35,000 budget to find the best property near one of Japan’s most famous ski regions, and this one really surprised me. For around $30,000, you’re getting a 7DK home with over 2,200 square feet of living space, all within easy reach of Myoko, one of Japan’s top ski destinations. When most people think about owning a home near a major ski area, they don’t expect this much space for the price. This might be one of the best value ski properties we’ve found so far. What area should we search next? #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #Joetsu #SkiJapan #Akiya

Would you buy a ski getaway in Niigata for $24,000? I gave myself a $25,000 budget to find the best ski property in Japan, and this one in Itoigawa really stood out. For under $24,000, you’re getting a home on freehold land, just a 10 minute walk to the nearest station and only 37 minutes from Charmant Hiuchi Ski Resort. Charmant Hiuchi is one of Japan’s hidden gems for powder skiing. With heavy snowfall from the Sea of Japan and just three lifts, it’s a favorite among skiers who know where to look. The best part? The Sea of Japan is only a 2 minute walk from the house, so you get deep powder in winter and the beach in summer. What ski town should we search next? #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #Niigata #SkiJapan #Akiya

One of the unexpected parts of gardening in Japan has been growing ingredients that are surprisingly expensive or harder to find. Basil became one of our biggest successes. We grew enough to make batches of homemade pesto, freeze it for later, and even share it with friends. It’s a small reminder that living in rural Japan isn’t just about having more space. It’s also about growing the foods you love and sharing them with the people around you. If you had a garden in Japan, what would you grow first? #LifeInJapan #Gardening #RuralJapan #JapaneseCulture #JapanLiving

One thing you’ll learn quickly in Japan is that not all rice is created equal. Ask almost any Japanese person and they’ll have a favorite variety, region, or brand. Some rice is known for being cheaper and more budget-friendly, while others are prized for their flavor, texture, and quality. Whether “student rice” is a real thing or just a funny nickname, it’s a reminder that rice is taken seriously in Japan, and people definitely have opinions about which one is best. Have you ever noticed a difference between cheap and premium Japanese rice? #JapaneseFood #RiceInJapan #JapanCulture #LifeInJapan #JapaneseCuisine

One of the biggest differences we’ve noticed between city life and countryside life in Japan is the sense of community. Many people say that rural Japan feels slower, friendlier, and more relaxed. With more space and smaller communities, neighbors tend to know each other and are often happy to stop and chat. Of course, every neighborhood is different, but it’s one of the reasons so many people dream of owning a home in the Japanese countryside. Would you rather live in a busy Japanese city or a quiet rural village? #LifeInJapan #RuralJapan #JapanLiving #JapaneseCulture #CountrysideJapan

One of the things we love most about living in rural Japan is the gardening culture. Growing your own food isn’t just about saving money. It’s a daily habit that keeps people active, brings neighbors together, and creates a real sense of community. When harvest season comes around, it’s common for people to share their extra vegetables with everyone nearby. It’s a small part of life in Japan that many people don’t hear about, but it can completely change the way you experience the countryside. Would you enjoy this kind of lifestyle? #LifeInJapan #RuralJapan #JapanLiving #JapaneseCulture #CountrysideJapan

Would you buy a home in Kamakura for $123,000? I searched Kamakura looking for a property with freehold land, public transportation, and a location people genuinely want to live. This 4 bedroom detached home checked every box. It’s in a bright south-facing location, within walking distance of supermarkets, convenience stores, and public transportation, making it easy to live without a car. With the beach nearby and central Tokyo only about an hour away, it’s easy to see why Kamakura is one of Japan’s most desirable coastal cities. What city should we search next? #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #Kamakura #JapanProperty #Akiya

Comment BUY and we’ll send you a link to book a call with our team. Before you buy a house in Japan, ask one question: What’s underneath it? Not every risk shows up in the listing photos. Some properties are located in landslide, tsunami, heavy snow, or higher earthquake risk areas. That doesn’t automatically make them bad purchases, but it’s information every buyer should know. Using hazard maps early in your search helps you understand the property before making a decision. #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #JapanProperty #HazardMap #Akiya

Would you buy a vacation home near Sendai for $52,000? I gave myself a $55,000 budget and searched Shiogama City for a home with freehold land, public transportation, and easy access to a major city. This one checked every box. For under $52,000, you get a 6DK home with over 1,500 square feet of living space, a south-facing garden, and a quiet residential location. Best of all, Matsushima Bay, one of Japan’s most famous coastal destinations, is just nearby. What city should we search next? #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #Sendai #JapanProperty #Akiya

Japan’s property market has a challenge that isn’t easy to solve. In major cities like Tokyo, housing prices have been rising, while millions of homes in rural Japan continue to sit vacant. Many younger Japanese people prefer to stay in urban areas, leaving inherited countryside homes empty. At the same time, international interest in Japanese real estate has continued to grow. So far, the biggest change for foreign buyers has been the requirement to disclose nationality during the purchase process. Foreigners can still legally buy and own property in Japan. The Japanese government is expected to revisit these issues later this year, but no one knows what, if any, policy changes will be made. It’s a fascinating time to be watching the Japan real estate market. #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #JapanProperty #Akiya #JapanHomes

Would you buy a vacation home in Niigata for $62,000? I gave myself a $65,000 budget and searched Tsubame City for a home with freehold land, a unique design, and easy access to the surrounding area. This one stood out immediately. It features exposed wood beams, natural wood finishes, underfloor heating, four air conditioners, and wide countryside views that give it a mountain lodge feel. It’s also just a 14 minute walk to the nearest station, making it one of the most practical countryside homes we’ve found. Where should we search next? #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #Niigata #JapanProperty #Akiya

One of the most underrated things you’ll need after you buy a house in Japan is a trash storage container. Unlike many countries, leaving garbage bags outside can quickly attract crows, insects, and other animals. A simple outdoor storage box keeps your trash secure until collection day and is one of those small purchases that makes life in Japan much easier. Sometimes it’s the little things nobody tells you that make the biggest difference when owning a home in Japan. #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanLife #JapanRealEstate #JapanProperty #Akiya

Comment POD and we’ll send you a link to the full video! Finding termites in a house sounds scary, but it doesn’t always mean you should walk away. This is the first property we’ve owned with termites, but we’ve helped plenty of buyers navigate the same issue. From our experience, termite treatment in Japan is often more straightforward than many buyers expect. The biggest risk is leaving the problem untreated for a long time. Like most things in Japanese real estate, it’s not about avoiding every issue. It’s about understanding what can be fixed and what can’t. #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #JapanProperty #Akiya #HomeRenovation

Comment BUY and we’ll send you everything you need to get started buying property in Japan. One of the biggest differences between Japan real estate and North America is that many houses in Japan depreciate over time. While many Western buyers expect homes to increase in value, older Japanese homes are often valued lower as they age. For buyers, that can mean the opportunity to buy a house in Japan for far less than a comparable home in other countries. That doesn’t mean every property is a good deal, but it helps explain why affordable homes still exist across Japan. #BuyHouseInJapan #JapanRealEstate #JapanProperty #Akiya #JapanHomes