Buying a House in Japan

This week, Joey and Take are joined by Ryan, AkiyaMart's representative director in Japan to talk about Joey's recent move to Ishigaki, and to cover just how hard it can be for a foreigner to rent in Japan. It might be easier just to buy a place after all. Find out why.Follow us on Instagram and YouTube!Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.Questions? Email [email protected]   are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production    Team is Carlos Gutierrez., Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.

This week, Take and Joey are joined at Tama base camp by Erik, an early  AkiyaMart customer and current AkiyaMart Direct Sales Manager, who has  purchased three akiya in Japan, including the viral $69 home he is  currently rehabbing as a traveler-friendly Snoopy-themed stay. The group  covers some of the unwritten rules that lead to headaches during car  registration, home buying or renovation, and the realities of navigating  daily life in Japan.Follow us on Instagram and YouTube!Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.Questions? Email [email protected]  are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production   Team is Carlos Gutierrez., Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.

This week, Joey and Take are joined at Tama Base camp by Lukas is an  AkiyaMart consultant from Alberta, Canada, currently living in rural  Hokkaido In the group covers what people actually need to know before  committing to a purchase in Japan: visas, realistic budgeting, property  condition, and why visiting your target area before you buy matters more  than most people expect. Lukas also shares what daily life in a small  rural town with almost no other foreigners actually looks like, and  where he is thinking about buying himself.Follow us on Instagram and YouTube!Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.Questions? Email [email protected] are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production  Team is Carlos Gutierrez., Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.Chapters: 00:36 Meet Lukas 01:53 Life in Hokkaido 05:10 Visas and Moving Plans 09:42 Content Creator Journey 14:52 Consulting on Akiya 20:03 Japan Frustrations Bureaucracy 22:37 Rural Hokkaido Life 31:00 Gen Z Homeownership Dreams 34:45 Buying Akiya With Partners 39:47 Consultation Prep Tips 40:35 Final Wrap and Outro

This week, Take and Joey are back in Japan, recording from Tama Base Camp, and a lot is happening for the duo this spring: Joey moved to Ishigaki in Okinawa, things are moving with the Tama house, and we've got another Japan speed run through Tokyo, Otaru, Fukuoka, and Beppu, where the guys are finishing up Jissoji Lux to put on the market as a turnkey starter-kit home.Follow us on Instagram and YouTube!Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.Questions? Email [email protected]  are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production  Team  is Carlos Gutierrez., Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.Chapters:00:40 Podcast Intro And Format02:16 Tokyo Sprint Plans06:17 Why Tama Base Camp Works07:15 Upgrades And Local Support11:04 Joey Moves To Ishigaki14:18 Island Life And Taiwan Proximity17:32 Otaru House Updates21:19 Jissoji Lux Farewell24:10 Healthier Japan Routine26:38 Wrap Up and Upcoming Episodes

Want to buy an akiya in Japan but the idea of earthquakes keeping you up  at night? We get it. Japan shakes, so we made a tool to help you figure  out where to look.  This week, Joey and Take catch up with university friend Keita, the  geospatial software engineer who built AkiyaMart's new earthquake  overlay filter. He explains how it works, why Shindo (felt intensity)  matters more than magnitude for property buyers, and the key limitations  of 100–120 years of historical data.  Follow us on Instagram and YouTube!Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.Questions? Email [email protected]  Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production  Team is Carlos Gutierrez., Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.Chapters:00:00 Japan Quake Reality Check00:31 Meet Keita From Yakushima02:21 Why Move Off Tokyo03:31 Avocado Farm Dream04:49 Earthquake Overlay Launch06:33 How The Map Is Built09:05 Testing Famous Quakes11:13 Data Limits And Controversy14:44 Shindo Vs Magnitude16:45 ICU Tokyo Example18:07 Wrap Up And Where To Find Keita19:53 Podcast Outro And Links

This week Joey and Take sit down with AkiyaMart agent and short-term rental manager Ryosuke Takamoto. Together, they talk about the pros and cons of doing minpaku from abroad without a manager, the setup costs for minpaku and ryokan businesses, the setup timeline and structure, and how AkiyaMart can help you manage your Airbnb from anywhere in the world.Follow us on Instagram and YouTube!Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team is Carlos Gutierrez., Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.Chapters:00:47 Meet Ryo Takamoto02:11 Airbnb Setup Experience03:13 Licenses Explained04:20 Minpaku vs Ryokan07:34 Getting Licensed Step by Step09:27 Best Locations to Buy10:51 Lifestyle Owners and Managers13:28 DIY or Hire Pros14:36 Neighbors and Local Rules16:18 Eligibility and Zoning Checks19:20 Costs and Fees Breakdown22:27 Final Advice and Wrap Up

21 years ago, Cathy and Ron Stockermans were inspired to take their family on an adventure abroad.. After Cathy was offered a job at a high school in Shizuoka, they, and their three sons, took the leap of faith that changed their lives. 21 years later, they sit down with Take and, one of their sons, Joey, to discuss that decision, how it shaped their lives, and how it led Joey to where he is today. From adjusting to a new culture, to inspiring Joey to stay in Japan for university, to Ron and Cathy's subsequent 15 year world journey; it all started with that decision to seek adventure.Follow us on Instagram and YouTube!Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team is Carlos G., Devin S., and Lukas F.Chapters:00:00 Milk Mixup in Japan00:52 Meet Joey’s Parents03:51 Why We Moved Abroad08:19 Family Decision and Planning10:02 Arriving in Numazu13:52 First Morning Food Hunt16:46 Trash Rules Culture Shock18:30 Adapting to Work and School22:14 Safety and School Questions23:20 IB vs American Schools24:32 English Immersion Japanese School26:12 Cleaning Duties and Discipline28:15 Rules Beyond Campus28:54 Family Life and Daily Routines30:51 Fitting In Japanese Society33:09 Costs Banking and Living35:14 Oldest Son Ben’s Adventure37:16 Language Growth and Friends39:46 Leaving Japan Next Chapter42:05 Advice and Final Wrap

On this first Dear Diary episode of 2026, Take and Joey get together to reminisce about their days studying abroad together in Tokyo and to talk about just how far the two have come since then. The guys give us a rundown of what happens at AkiyaMart and introduce us to two new products that the team hopes will remove some headaches from the purchase process and even make akiya buying just a bit more accessible.Questions? email [email protected] us on Instagram and YouTube!Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team is Carlos G., Devin S., and Lukas F.Chapters:00:40 Welcome Back: Dear Diary 202601:30 Who We Are: AkiyaMart Origin Story08:09 How the Filthy Dorm Prepared Us for Akiyas09:43 What We Do at AkiyaMart10:29 AkiyaMart Direct: Our Paid Buying Program12:14 Introducing AkiyaMart Care: Post-Purchase Utilities, Taxes, and Contractors15:39 Mail Digitization + Pricing Breakdown: What AkiyaMart Care Costs18:48 Introducing AkiyaMart Viewing: $250 Virtual Tours Starting in Tokyo25:00 Why Viewings Are Hard in Japan: No Lockboxes, Seller Agents, and Low Commissions27:51 2026 Plans: Visa Progress, Sakura Tree Dreams, and Closing Thanks29:35 Outro: Ratings, Links, and Where to Find Us

This week Joey and Take meet up in Tokyo with Danny Wilson, a comedian and host of Tokyo Super Great Time Tokyo Podcast. Danny shares his journey of growing up in the U.S. and moving to Japan to reconnect with his roots. He discusses his career in Japanese comedy, his experiences in a prestigious Japanese comedy school, and the challenges and joys of being a bilingual comedian. The conversation touches on cultural differences, his aspirations, and the dynamics of the Japanese comedy scene. Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.00:58 Meet Danny Wilson06:14 Comedy in Japan vs. America09:17 Learning Japanese Slang15:51 Exploring Japanese Real Estate Opportunities24:27 Life in Japan vs. the US29:32 Advice for Aspiring Comedians and Japan Enthusiasts31:53 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

This week,Joey and Take visit Anton Wormann, who you may know as Anton in Japan. Anton is a renowned real estate mogul, interior designer,  and author in Tokyo. Anton shares his transformative journey from being a world-traveling model to becoming a successful property renovator in Japan. He discusses his initial cultural impressions, the challenges and triumphs of renovating old Japanese homes, and his passion for creative design. The conversation also delves into the intricacies of Japanese real estate, including the cultural nuances, bureaucracy, and his strategy for identifying undervalued properties. Additionally, Anton gives insights into his future ambitions and  provides advice for anyone looking to embark on a similar journey.Follow Anton on:YouTube: @ANTONINJAPANInstagram: @anton.injapanwww.antoninjapan.comwww.japandihouses.comwww.akiyamasterclass.comCheck out Anton’s book Free Houses in Japan: The True Story of How I Make Money DIY Renovating Abandoned HomesBuying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.00:36 Welcome to the Podcast00:54 Meeting Anton05:12 Anton’s Journey to Japan07:50 First Property Purchase10:05 Renovation Challenges and Successes15:48 Creating Content in Japan21:25 Cultural Differences in Content Creation28:25 Building a Business in Japan35:43 The Reality of Japanese Housing Design40:18 Investing in Japanese Real Estate44:54 Addressing Japan's Population Decline48:29 Final Thoughts and Advice

This week Joey and Take are joined at Tama Base Camp by AMD Agent Hide. Hide shares his thoughts on the state of buying an akiya, as well as his opinions on what is coming next in the space. The team talks about potential rules around foreigners buying property. and opening businesses in Japan while also giving insights on both how and why these rules may be adopted buy the Japanese government. They also touch on a potential surf house purchase that is currently out of budget, but how the guys might work with the seller to agree upon a compromise solution.Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.01:03 Guest Introduction and Background03:10 Current Real Estate Climate in Japan06:31 Government Policies and Market Impact15:44 Minpaku Business Insights26:17 Exploring a Surf House in Kaifu33:13 Rent-to-Own Possibilities39:31 Final Thoughts and Future Prospects

Take is flying solo this week, chatting with a new guest, Devin Silvernail, an AkiyaMart Direct client  currently going through the process and our podcast editor. Devin, originally from Seattle but living in France, shares his journey starting from falling for the lush surroundings of the Shimanami Kaido bike route to taking a chance on Kanazawa's more classic and subtle charm. He also talks about the series of taking chances that has led him from Seattle to France and how a childhood love for Japan is now manifesting in the search for an akiya. Devin details the purchase process, including negotiations,  inspections, and financial logistics. The episode emphasizes the importance of studying abroad, taking chances, and how diverse cultural experiences shape life decisions.Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.00:48 Welcome to the Podcast03:03 From Policy Development to Podcast Editing03:28 The Unexpected Move to France05:06 The Impact of Studying Abroad08:02 The Spark to Buy a House in Japan12:27 The Search for a Home in Japan15:26 Why Kanazawa?18:43 Discovering the Perfect Property20:21 Plans for the Property23:51 Offer and Negotiation Process27:45 Final Steps and Financial Tips33:46 Conclusion and Next Steps

This week, Take and Joey sit down with AkiyaMart Direct Agent Aya Yamaguchi. Aya joins the team at Tama Base Camp to share her insights on the complexities of purchasing properties in Japan atouches on her personal experiences working with over 600 foregin. buyers in Japan. Aya shares her straightforward approach to  advising clients and offers valuable tips for those looking to buy a house in Japan.Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.00:45 Welcome to the Podcast00:59 Meet Ayana Yamaguchi05:06 Challenges in Real Estate Transactions09:01 Older Homes vs. Newer Homes15:51 Yakuza Clauses in Real Estate19:08 Guarantor Companies in Japan21:55 Popular Areas for Foreign Buyers27:26 Challenges and Future of Japanese Real Estate31:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

This week, Joey and Take are joined again by Ryan Kubozono, the rep for AkiyaMart in Japan, for another installment in the coin laundry saga. Despite initial optimism and extensive planning, the deal just didn't work out. After months of waiting due to complications with the landlord , they finally heard back and the answer wasn't ideal. The team reflects on the challenges faced, lessons learned, and their strategy moving forward, including the importance of  building relationships with intermediaries and possibly exploring other unmanned business opportunities.  Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.00:47 Introduction to the Podcast05:49 The Failed Deal14:58 The Landlord's Rejection19:02 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward28:10 Considering Other Business Ventures35:31 Building Relationships for Off-Market Deals39:27 Learning from Setbacks44:31 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Happy New Year from Tama Base Camp! This week, Take and Joey discuss the decision to focus on having a more suburban Tokyo retreat vs a more lively, but maybe more draining, HQ in central Tokyo. They highlight the benefits of Tama, including the space, tranquility, and amenities, along with the importance of having a reliable property  manager. They also reveal current plans for the future of Tama Base Camp and where their focus is shifting in Japan overall.Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.01:46 Welcome to the Podcast02:25 Exploring Tama Base Camp06:02 Unlocking Local Amenities12:25 Future Plans for Tama Base Camp22:28 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Welcome to the last episode of 2025! This week, Joey and Take reflect on their predictions from one year ago and share their hopes for 2026. Turns out some things worked out as predicted  but not exactly in the way they thought and other things didn't materialize. However, the team had a great year overall. Their portfolio is starting to take shape. AkiyaMart is growing. The journey continues. Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.01:51 Welcome to Our First Video Podcast03:49 Property Highlights and Success Stories08:20 The Nagasaki Flip: A Success Story12:14 Otaru Property and Future Plans16:33 Coin Laundry Business Venture24:59 Market Dynamics and Foreign Interest29:26 Government Policies and Their Impact35:05 Hot Property Areas in 202539:47 Personal Real Estate Ventures43:48 Wrapping Up 2025 and Looking Ahead