Features

In these articles we provide information necessary to understand real estate in Japan. Topics covered include but are not limited to the characteristics and durability of Japanese buildings, the Building Standards Act pertaining to real estate in Japan, and an explanation on what the Building Lots and Buildings Transaction Business Act is all about.

Guide to Traditional and Modern Japanese Architecture

Tokyo Architecture Offers a Rich, Visual Guide of Japan’s Past and Present Japan has a lot to offer to those with an interest in architecture. Architectural styles in Japan have evolved over the centuries, heavily influenced by geography, climate, the raw materials available, and even the course of…

Rent and Live in a House in Tokyo

To have privacy, independence and your own home in central Tokyo… Advantages of living in a house:・ You can enjoy gardening and BBQs if the property has a garden.・ Open the windows on all four sides and get a great breeze.・ A sense of independence and privacy, such that you won’t be trouble…

High Earthquake Resistant Office Buildings in Tokyo

In order to meet our customers’ needs, we have featured information for office buildings with heightened earthquake resistance in central Tokyo. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, people pay more attention to the earthquake tolerance of office buildings. As a result, the number…

A Simple Guide to Home Insurance in Japan

Living in Japan as a foreigner, you may face challenges due to culture shock, language barriers and just plain cross-cultural misunderstanding. But beyond these obvious daily experiences, foreign residents may also have to overcome hurdles in times of stress or disaster. When you own or rent a pro…

About Residential Lease Property Management in Japan

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, Infrastruct…

Japan Earthquake Insurance Guide: A Simple Q&A

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 drafte…

Can a foreigner purchase property in Japan?

Recently, real estate property purchase by foreigners in Japan have been increasing due to the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games being held in Tokyo along with the falling Japanese yen. Foreigners from many countries all over the world, such as Europe, America, Asia and Oceania, have come to Japan to buy…

Floor-Area Ratio (FAR) and Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) in Japan

Land Use Zones restricts the use of buildings in each categorized zone; it also controls volume and height of buildings by Floor-Area Ratio (FAR) and Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) in each zone.What size and height of the building you can build depends on FAR and BCR of the land property and this a…

Land Use Zones under the City Planning Law in Japan

Land Use Zones (用途地域) are areas that are regulated under the City Planning Law (都市計画法) and designates the possible usage of land and properties in that area. This system is to realize an effective placement of buildings in accord with each area environment, avoiding mixed and disorderly land usag…

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. The…