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Artwork for Buying a House in Japan

Buying a House in Japan

Mokomoko Productions
Japan
Real Estate
Tokyo
Akiya
Akiyamart
Airbnb
Akiya Mart
Beppu
Real Estate Market
Nagasaki
Japanese Real Estate
Renovation
Japan Real Estate
Foreign Buyers
Real Estate Investment
Japan's Real Estate Market
Coin Laundry
Tama City
Japanese Real Estate Market
Hokkaido

We’re Joey & Take - two friends who dreamed of owning a cheap home in Japan. So we bought one...and then five more!

Dreaming of owning property in Japan? We cover everything you need to know and more. Highlights include:

Pros and cons of purchasing in Japan

The complexities of Japan’s real estate market

Challenges for foreign buyers

Interviews with locals, expats, and experts

All the mistakes we’... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes154Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipBusinessInvesting

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Artwork for Buying a House in Japan

Latest Episodes

In this episode of the Buying a House in Japan podcast, Take sits down with NJ, a San Francisco Bay Area tech worker, gymnastics coach, and pole dance instructor who purchased a pre-renovated condo in Hachioji, Western Tokyo. NJ shares her journey fr... more

Takeru and Joey reach a major milestone on the Buying a House in Japan podcast as they celebrate surpassing 50 episodes. In this episode, they recap all six properties they have purchased across Japan and lay out their plans for their next big focus:... more

YouTube

In this collaboration episode, the team sits down with Ziv Nakajima Magen, co-founder and COO of Nippon Tradings International (NTI). With 15 years in Japanese real estate, Ziv shares his perspective on shifting market dynamics, anti-foreigner sentim... more

YouTube

In this episode of Buying a House in Japan, Taker and Joey sit down with Keito Swan, a half-Japanese U.S. native who bought and fully renovated a 50-year-old akiya in Higashikawa, Hokkaido. Keito breaks down the real expenses behind his $180,000 proj... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Ziv Nakajima-McGann
Co-founder and CEO of Nippon Tradings International (NTI)
Nippon Tradings International (NTI)
Episode: Why Foreigners Are Rethinking Japan Investments and Permanent Residency | Ep. 151
Keito Swan
Guest with firsthand experience buying property in Higashikawa, Hokkaido
Independent real estate enthusiast / content creator
Episode: Is the Japan House Buying Trend Overhyped? | Ep. 150
Richard Sandlin
Friend of the podcast, expert on moving to Japan and optimizing travel/real estate processes
Independent; travel and housing expert
Episode: Works in America. Lives in Japan. | Ep. 147
Akane Hoshino
Administrative coordinator and post-purchase lead for Mokomoko Buyers Club
Akiya Mart / Mokomoko
Episode: The Hidden Headaches of Buying a House in Japan (And How We're Fixing Them) | Ep. 145
Ryo Suke Takamoto
Airbnb and Minpaku licensing expert
Mostar Homes
Episode: Japan’s Airbnb Crackdown: What Every Foreign Buyer Needs to Know in 2026 | Ep. 144
Sam Hanada
Employee at Akiya Mart, runs affiliate program; previously worked in local government
Akiya Mart
Episode: What City Hall in Japan Is Really Like (From Someone Who Worked There) | Ep 142
Chris Rose
Former government employee; Akihama Direct customer turned homebuyer in Japan
Self/Family
Episode: Why This Hawaii Family Bought a Second Home in Japan
Carlos Gutierrez
Friend of the hosts; videography/content creator, expertise in visa journey and moving to Japan
Independent (Indiana/LA-based)
Episode: Making Your Way in Fukuoka, ft. Carlos Gutierrez
Tomoa Ishihara
Special guest on site in Beppu, Beppu-based entrepreneur and traveller
Self-described venture projects in Takayama/Hakuba
Episode: Why Aren't Akiya More Attractive to Japanese Buyers? ft. Tomoa Ishihara

Hosts

Joey
Co-host who discusses living and buying in Japan, with a focus on affordability and practical tips for foreign buyers.
Take
Co-host who shares journey, branding updates, and practical guidance on buying in Japan; often dives into process improvements and community-building.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 167 ratings
  • Iowan looking at Akiya’s

    Great information I’ve been traveling to Japan for over 25 years and have been looking at Akiya houses for a few years now that I’ve found the podcast I’ve been binge listening and am so close to buying. They really cover everything from A to Z that is needed when buying a house in Japan. All of the little things that a foreigner would not understand or even consider especially when it comes to utilities and owning a car.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hank G 1980
    United States8 months ago
  • Best Japanese property pod around

    If you want to explore the world of buying Japanese property, this is the podcast for you.

    Great guests, great insights and always engaging.

    5 stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jobbsy
    Australiaa year ago
  • Helpful

    Very helpful for someone like me trying to buy an akiya for the first time! The only reason I’m not giving full stars is because each episode comes through as a video even if there are no visuals. This is totally messing up my ability to listen while driving and using GPS on my phone. Hopefully our tech savvy hosts can fix this soon!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    amiblami
    United Statesa year ago
  • Binged this in 3 days

    First time I’ve done that and I listen to podcasts 24/7. Well like 14/7 technically. Thanks J&T. Tell us more about yourselves! You both seem like very interesting ppl.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crockydofilus
    United States2 years ago
  • Dreaming of buying property in Japan? Listen to this first.

    This podcast is a must-listen for anyone considering buying property in Japan and makes it feel possible for even us casual listeners. My partner and I are grateful we can follow Joey and Take’s journey as a blueprint (read: learn from their mistakes lol). They strike a good balance between being fun and informative/honest. I am not a fan of the typical “two dudes talking” podcast genre, and this is not that. Joey and Take actually provide valuable takeaways each episode, catering to listeners’ ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LuoZhuLi
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners wish for fewer video formats and easier listening while driving or traveling.
Listeners find the show informative and actionable for foreign buyers in Japan.
The mix of real guest perspectives and host-led guidance is praised for credibility.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Answering Your Top 10 Japan Home Buying Questions
Q: Can foreigners even buy property in Japan?
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Japan with the same rights as residents, and visa status does not block ownership.
Answering Your Top 10 Japan Home Buying Questions
Q: Can I get a loan or is this all in cash?
In most cases you cannot obtain a loan for these properties; loans are rare for foreigners unless special residency, employment, or a very specific lender program is involved.
Kristian's Journey from Melbourne Real Estate to Fukuoka Language School
Q: What should Australians consider when thinking about buying an Akiya in Japan?
He notes that buying a property is a lifestyle adventure and requires clear location focus; having a concrete area in mind helps when coordinating with agents, and Australians typically bring a positive, pragmatic attitude to the process.
Kristian's Journey from Melbourne Real Estate to Fukuoka Language School
Q: How stressful was the language school, on a scale of 1 to 10?
He describes the first three months as the most stressful, rating it around a nine, but emphasizes that the experience was also highly growth-oriented and humbling as you fail and learn daily.
Kristian's Journey from Melbourne Real Estate to Fukuoka Language School
Q: What motivated you to move to Japan and enroll in language school?
Kristian explains that language learning in Japan via a language school was the deepest, most meaningful way to experience living there—beyond a short trip—and that he wanted to go beyond superficial exposure, aiming for real fluency and immersion.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a House in Japan

What is Buying a House in Japan about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical look at buying property in Japan, with a focus on affordable homes (Akiya) and cross-border purchases. Episodes span market dynamics for foreign buyers, visa and residency implications, financing and inheritance considerations, and the evolving branding from AkiyaMart to Mokomoko. Guests range from experienced investors and homeowners to policy and licensing experts, offering on-the-ground tips for navigating utilities, post-purchase support, and local regulations. The show blends personal journeys with actionable guidance, including brand strategy shifts, regulatory updates, and relocation stories, making it valuable for prospective buyers, expats, and real estate professionals exploring Japan's unique market. A standout elemen... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Buying a House in Japan?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Buying a House in Japan:

1. Japan Real Estate
2. Abroad in Japan
3. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
4. ABC News Daily
5. History of Japan

How many episodes of Buying a House in Japan are there?

Buying a House in Japan launched 3 years ago and published 154 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Buying a House in Japan?

Recent guests on Buying a House in Japan include:

1. Ziv Nakajima-McGann
2. Keito Swan
3. Richard Sandlin
4. Akane Hoshino
5. Ryo Suke Takamoto
6. Sam Hanada
7. Chris Rose
8. Carlos Gutierrez

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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