Question 1

Can foreigners really buy property in Japan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Japan places no restrictions on foreign property ownership. You can own both land and buildings with the same rights as Japanese citizens. You do not need a visa or residency. Purchasing remotely with a licensed bilingual agent is possible and common.

Question 2

What is an akiya bank?

Accepted Answer

An akiya bank (空き家バンク) is an official municipal database where local governments list vacant properties available for sale or free transfer. There are over 1,000 such databases across Japan's 1,745 municipalities. AkiyaFind aggregates them into one searchable English platform.

Question 3

Are there really free houses in Japan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some municipalities list akiya at ¥0 (zero yen) to encourage repopulation of rural areas. Many also offer renovation grants worth ¥500,000 to ¥5,000,000. The total subsidy package can exceed the property price.

Question 4

How much does AkiyaFind cost?

Accepted Answer

AkiyaFind has a free plan that lets you browse all listings with basic details. The Searcher plan costs AUD $4 per month and unlocks full listing details, agent contacts, and email alerts. The Buyer plan costs AUD $12 per month and adds hazard maps, renovation subsidy lookup, and concierge support.

Question 5

How often are listings updated?

Accepted Answer

Our crawler refreshes listings from municipal and commercial sources every 24 hours. Paid Buyer plan members receive real-time alerts within one hour of a new match being published.

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