The back story
Buying in Tokyo: open to foreign buyers, and the neighbourhoods they choose
Japan lets foreigners buy homes and land on the same terms as its own citizens, with a few reporting rules: how buying works, and where in Tokyo people buy.
Japan places no general restriction on foreigners buying land or homes: a foreign buyer can own a freehold flat or house outright. Purchases are registered at the Legal Affairs Bureau, and agents work under the Real Estate Brokerage Act. Non-residents who buy must also file a report under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act after the purchase, and some land near defence and other key facilities is subject to notification rules.
Who may buy
Foreigners may buy land and buildings in Japan, freehold, with no nationality restriction in general.
How it works
An agent licensed under the Real Estate Brokerage Act explains the important matters in writing before you sign; the transfer is registered at the Legal Affairs Bureau, usually by a judicial scrivener. Non-residents file a post-acquisition report under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.
Use a licensed agent and a Japanese lawyer or judicial scrivener (shihō shoshi) for the registration.
Where people buy
Minato (Azabu, Hiroo, Roppongi, Akasaka), Shibuya (Daikanyama, Aoyama), Chiyoda (Banchō) and the waterfront towers of Chūō: see our property guide. We never publish prices.
Our advice: check the building’s age and earthquake standard, and budget for the purchase taxes, before you choose.
Why it's on our list
- Who may buy
- How it works
- Where people buy
Location
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