Looking for a home, a holiday house or land around Lake Suwa, Tateshina or the Yatsugatake highlands? We help international buyers find and purchase property in English.
Why Suwa?
- About two hours from Shinjuku, Tokyo, by the Azusa limited express train
- Hot springs, Lake Suwa, Suwa Taisha shrine, and four distinct seasons
- Holiday homes in the Tateshina and Yatsugatake highlands, and walkable old post towns such as Shimosuwa
- Prices that are often far lower than in Tokyo or popular ski resorts
Can foreigners buy property in Japan?
Yes. Japan generally does not restrict foreign nationals from owning land and buildings, and you do not need to live in Japan to buy. Note that owning property does not give you a visa or the right to live in Japan. In a limited number of designated areas, such as near defense facilities, prior notification is required, and the government is introducing new reporting rules, such as declaring nationality at registration. We will check the latest rules for each property.
Typical buying process
- Tell us your budget, preferred area and how you plan to use the property
- Viewings in person or by video call
- Purchase application and price negotiation
- Explanation of important matters by a licensed real estate transaction specialist, then the sales contract
- Payment and registration of ownership (handled with a judicial scrivener)
Costs to expect
- Brokerage fee: up to 3% of the price + 60,000 yen + consumption tax (for prices over 4 million yen). For properties of 8 million yen or less, the legal maximum is 330,000 yen including tax.
- Registration and license tax, and the judicial scrivener’s fee
- Real estate acquisition tax (paid once, after purchase)
- Annual fixed asset tax, plus management fees for some holiday home areas
Before you buy: things we check
- Whether a new house can be built (road access and zoning)
- Slopes, retaining walls and land development conditions — one of our specialties
- Water, sewage and hot spring supply rights in holiday home areas
- Winter access and snow
Contact us (English welcome)
- Contact form (English): Send us a message
- Email: hp@asone.style
- Phone: +81-50-7108-2940 (10:00–19:00 Japan time, irregular holidays)
- Online meetings (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) are available on request.
Please tell us the property location (city or town is fine), what you would like to do (sell, buy, manage, or just ask a question), and where you live. We will reply in English.
English home ｜ Selling property in Japan from overseas ｜ Buying a home in Suwa ｜ About us ｜ Emergency assistance ｜ Contact us ｜ 日本語