Japan is one of the few major economies that places no restrictions on foreign property ownership. Non-residents can buy freehold land and buildings outright, with the same legal rights as Japanese citizens — no residency, visa or partner requirement.
The headline attraction is financing: mortgage rates are the lowest in the developed world at roughly 1.65–1.85%. The catch is access — most domestic banks lend only to residents or permanent residents, so non-resident buyers typically pay cash or use a specialist international lender.
Market overview
Prices vary enormously by location: central Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto command a premium, while rural regions hold large numbers of cheap akiya (vacant homes). Buildings depreciate fast in Japan — much of a property's long-term value sits in the land. Acquisition and registration taxes add roughly 3–6% on purchase, and owners pay an annual fixed-asset tax of about 1.4%.
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Mortgage rates in Japan (June 2026)
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