Tokyo Real Estate News & Information

Joint mortgages for married couples

In Japan, the number of households with dual-income couples is increasing, and more and more housing loans are being taken out by married couples. Rather than applying by one spouse alone, combining the income of both spouses can increase the borrowing amount, and depending on how the loan is struc…

Renting a Pet-friendly apartment in Japan

It is common practice that residential properties in Japan have very strict rules regarding the ownership of pets. These rules are decided and enforced by the building owner and or management. If you would like to have a pet in a rental property or already have a pet that you would like to live wit…

The Quality of Homat Series Apartments in Tokyo

Kowa Real Estate created and constructed Homat brand apartments especially for foreign company executives and diplomats residing in central Tokyo. Homat rental apartments have grown significantly since 1965, mostly in and around central Tokyo in places like Hiroo, Azabu, Akasaka, and Roppongi. Thes…

What is Japan Earthquake Insurance for Earthquake Preparedness? – About its Necessity and Basic System

Japan is an earthquake-prone country, and there is a history of discussions and studies over a long period of time before the earthquake insurance system was introduced.　In the wake of the 1964 Niigata Earthquake, the government and property & casualty insurance companies researched and drafted…

What is Act on Rental Housing Management Business (Act on Optimization of Rental Housing Management Business)?

Act on Rental Housing Management Business (Act on Optimization of Rental Housing Management Business, etc.) came into effect on June 15, 2021. With the enforcement of this act to optimize the management of rental housing, the former registration system required by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructu…

Tokyo Interior Design Services with English-friendly Agents

If you’re living or working in central Tokyo, you’ll likely find that housing and office space is more compact than what you may be used to in your home country. That said, layouts are often designed with ease of use and practicality in mind. Be it your home or office, you can customize your space…

Ordinary Lease Contract vs. Fixed-term Lease Contract

When renting out a real estate property to a lessee or renting from a lessor, you have the choice using either an “Ordinary Lease Contract” or a “Fixed-term Lease Contract” when making a contract. The “Act on Land and Building Leases” provides guidelines for midterm cancellations and contract renew…

The Jonan Gozan - 5 hilltop brand residential areas in Tokyo

The Jonan Gozan (go= five, zan= mountain) is a term used to define the 5 hilltop areas in the Jonan (Jo= castle, nan= south) district of Tokyo - the area from Meguro Station to Shinagawa Station. The 5 mountains are respectively: Ikedayama, Gotenyama, Shimazuyama, Hanabusayama, and Yatsuyama. Each…

English-speaking Realtors and Real Estate Professionals in Japan

We would like to introduce you to some English-speaking real estate agents and professionals located throughout Japan. When conducting a real estate transaction, it is often said that you should work with a real estate agent from the location of the property if possible. A local real estate agent w…

The Amendment of the Civil Code – Regarding the Guarantor of a Lease Contract

The Civil Code has been greatly amended for the first time since its establishment around 120 years ago. Some of the new amendments will start being enforced as early as April 1st of 2020. Among the amendments made at this time, the rules regarding the protection of a guarantor have been reinforced…