Buying a home in Japan
Compare mortgage structures, buying costs and steps, then test assumptions. No property-investment advice or predicted appreciation.
Guides
- Homebuyer pathway — A staged path from budget to handover—without an approval promise.
- Fixed versus floating mortgage rates — Compare payment certainty and rate-change exposure, not a forecast of which will win.
- Mortgages without permanent residence — Some products publicly accept applicants without permanent residence, but residence status, guarantor and other conditions vary and approval is never assured.
- Purchase, down-payment and closing costs — Budget separately for the down payment, transaction and loan costs, taxes, insurance, repairs and ongoing maintenance.
- Rent versus buy framework — Compare flexibility, cash-flow risk, tenure and costs with scenarios—not predicted appreciation.
Calculators
Official sources
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Real-estate transaction guidance
- Japan Housing Finance Agency: Housing-loan basics and simulations
- National Tax Agency: Special deduction for housing loans
Reviewed: 2026-07-30