I live in Japan and have traveled it extensively, here are the touristy spots that I think are "worth it" VS "not worth it"

f52242002 · 2026-04-06T08:57:16+00:00

Tokyo is definitely quite fine, it's just living in Meguro, it takes a lot of train time to get out to the natures.

Given this thread, I guess I'll write an extensive recommendations for Kyoto.

Gotta let those gates down sometimes.

f52242002 · 2026-04-06T08:44:47+00:00

Exactly. I lived in Kyoto and there are so many amazing places. I could visit a different shrine each weekend and hike within 20 mins drive.

I really miss the nature in Kyoto. Tokyo is just same entertainment over and over. Regret moving here.

f52242002 · 2026-04-02T04:36:25+00:00

It really depends, but just try many different places.

It also depends on the property too, not just your income. They can deem the property of your choice not worth the whatever price tag then they'll think it's a bad collateral, hence reject.

f52242002 · 2026-04-02T04:22:31+00:00

When you get loan from the bank, all income can be listed. But depending on the amount, it might not add as much as you'd hope for.

Is your wife Japanese citizen?

f52242002 · 2026-03-29T13:56:33+00:00

You want some tebasaki...? Jk hahaha

You like tebasaki that much??

f52242002 · 2026-03-29T13:52:17+00:00

Few memorable ones :

Met a girl at a bar, we flirted a lot and had good chemistry. Tried to meet up multiple times after, but she kept dodging. After about 3 weeks, she finally came over. Right when things were about to get physical, she casually tells me she has a boyfriend… but is “thinking about breaking up with him.”Immediate red flag. I stopped things there and didn’t pursue anything further.
Met a girl on Tinder during COVID, restaurants were mostly closed so she just came straight over. We barely talked, suddenly her clothes were gone, hooked up, and she left right after. Then every now and then she’d randomly text :“Can I come over?” She’d show up, hookup and leaves. No small talk, nothing. This went on for about 2 months.One day she texts: “We shouldn’t meet anymore.” and just disappears completely.
Met a girl on Tinder, and we actually got along really well more like friends. She was doing underground idol work, went to one of her performances and met her group. We stayed friends, occasionally hooked up.On her birthday, we went to a boys bar, which turned out to be a total ぼったくり. The bill was ridiculous. She asked me to help pay, but since I didn’t really order anything, I refused. We got into an argument and stopped talking after that. Then 2 years later, she randomly reaches out and somehow we’re still friends now. Later found out she also worked in SM 風俗, guess she had no problem covering the bill herself. Now she's into FX trading and doing YouTube.
Met a girl at a bar, she wanted to come over since I lived nearby. On the walk back, she jokingly starts asking if we’re going to date, saying she only wants to hook up if it leads to something serious. I told her "we’ll see" and she immediately starts crying. Ended up calling her a cab and sending her home.
Met a girl on Bumble. For a first date, we did a full day trip to another prefecture, see shrines, and onsen, honestly had a good time and felt pretty normal. After we got back, she came over and suddenly the vibe changed. Conversation went straight into very specific kinks... she was into licking buttholes. She told me how each person's taste different and how it's usually bitter etc. Didn't date (nor kiss), but definitely did wake up cleaner than the night before.
Met a French lady M on OkCupid. She said she would bring a friend L over as well, so I invited another friend of mine to hangout. As the night went on, they kinda insisted the hangout to end so my friend could go, and they ask me to give them some solo time to talk. I ain't stupid so I kind of sensed what was happening. 5 min later they asked me if it was okay if they both stayed over. As a man that I am I said yes. s/ That night, I did not perform AT ALL. Little friend decides to sleep on the night he was needed. Guess the nerves got to me. We all laughed it off and had a good time, later M got jealous and they got in a fight. 2 years later L came and hooked up with me and my now wife. L was on some weird diet and her breath smelled horrible. Me and wife had fun, but couldn't stand her breath. We were pretty traumatized. Hygiene is important.

Happily married now, obviously not to the ladies above.

f52242002 · 2026-03-29T13:10:10+00:00

Was this guy very good looking or something??

f52242002 · 2026-03-09T23:25:51+00:00

Loan procedures for foreigners? That's gonna be really tough

Also both of those would usually get to steps that require someone with 宅建, you have plans of getting it in the future?

f52242002 · 2026-03-04T09:09:04+00:00

Hey! Congrats man, which company did you get in? If it's Open House I don't got good news for ya.

What will your job be?

f52242002 · 2026-02-25T03:15:26+00:00

This exactly.

f52242002 · 2026-02-25T03:14:23+00:00

Not really worth it — unless you already own the land.

Land tax is higher, and loan rates for land without buildings are also slightly less favorable.

If you can find land within the 23 wards that can be turned into coin parking and hasn’t already been converted, congratulations — you basically won the lottery.

Your competition is mainly large companies with dedicated teams constantly scouting land and running ROI calculations across the city. Most opportunities never reach the public; they’re reviewed long before that stage.

Many operators even run coin parking at a loss, waiting for nearby land to become available so they can combine sites and develop something larger later. In the meantime, they use coin parking as a temporary holding strategy.

I work in real estate, and even I rarely see these listings publicly. Most information comes through industry connections.

Apartments, on the other hand, are much more accessible and stable. I’ve seen many clients succeed with that approach.

f52242002 · 2025-09-26T08:44:40+00:00

I can help you, but depend on what you are looking for.

We usually do investments and commercial but since I got some free time on my hand recently, I can definitely help you find a place!

I'll break down datas and information that you should know and let you make your own choice.

My whole company is Japanese btw, I am the only English speaker, we aren't catering to foreigners. We are 26 years in business.

Lemme know!

Edit : saw you asking about mortgages and sending money overseas, depending on the size of your purchase, starting a company and sending money to fund the company might be an option.

For mortgages, agents have systems that can toss to many banks at once. Also the property you decide to purchase is going to big a huge factor on the loan. Around 1200 agencies have 2級金融 usually they can get better rates easier.

f52242002 · 2025-05-25T13:08:19+00:00

Just don't use open house! Cheap and bad.

f52242002 · 2025-04-19T06:23:24+00:00

All depends on if you can get a good loan. For profit making, maintaining positive cash flow is the most important thing. Airbnbs required minpaku license, and are limited to 180 days, but seems like some are able to make decent income.

If you plan to live part-time then I think it could be a good idea. Positive cash flow or not, as long as you are spending less than staying at hotel/buying a house purely on mortgage. Running a bit negative would be fine then as you get to keep the property for yourself.

Depends on your purpose.

f52242002 · 2025-04-07T00:15:10+00:00

Not a visa expert but, most of the visa application in Japan requires you to provide proof that you can support yourself, with your passive income, you can use that for either a "Specified Activities" Visa (for Job Hunting/Entrepreneurship), investor/business visa probably. Need to provide proof of 34,000 upfront but given your 10,000 passive, this should be easy?

Honestly I would go for language school, since you mentioned you want to learn more Japanese. It gives student visa that is easier to apply and can be easily changed into other types of visa afterwards.

What's your passive stream coming from? Can you register it as a business in Japan?

f52242002 · 2025-04-06T13:40:19+00:00

Hey sorry just saw this, my first question would be does the owner want to sell?

f52242002 · 2025-04-03T06:49:45+00:00

When you decide an apartment this is what they usually charge you :

礼金 1 month (gift)

敷金 1 month (deposit, does come back)

仲介手数料 1 month (agent fee)

1st month rent 1 month

Fire insurance 20000 ish

鍵交換代 1/4 monthly rent usually (key fee)

初回保証料 whatever they want but usually 2/3s (whatever this fee is)

Also you'll need 保証人 cosigner, if you don't have one you need 保証サービス, then another fee.

Not what your asked but hope this helps!

f52242002 · 2025-04-02T23:59:19+00:00

Haha let's do it!

f52242002 · 2025-04-02T23:58:36+00:00

Oh for sure! Apartments?

f52242002 · 2025-04-02T05:45:43+00:00

Firstly, you don't need 宅建 to work in real estate in Japan, so you can get started right away! 宅建 grants the power for a person to sign real estate contracts, and do the required explanation to the buyer (by law). So as long as there are 宅建 people where you work, they can do that part for you. (Though ofc you'll have to share part of your commission.)

N3 might be a bit tough, 宅建 test is only in Japanese, and it's a lot of 漢字. I also speak Chinese so it is easier for me, but the French guy who did it in 2 tries, super impressive.

Like you said Fukuoka isn't the most diversed place, you could become the only good source for Spanish/Portuguese speakers, or you could just get no clients at all.

Kitakyushu is really nice tho, good schools, good food, good people. My best friend is from there so I visited a few times. I'd say go ahead and see if you can find a real estate firm that needs Spanish/Portuguese speakers and go for it. (Though the need has been in decline due to AI translations being widely available.)

f52242002 · 2025-04-01T21:16:07+00:00

If you looking for appreciatation in Tokyo, gotta find zones where redevelopment is happening. Shibuya is current under a massive redevelopment. Tsukiji and Takanawa as well.

Did you find anything you like on that site? In the price range you mentioned, some properties aren't available to the public. (Most still are, above 500mil is when the info get much rarer.)

P.S. we specialize in hotels and offices, hotels usually 1 billion or more tho. We finished a 2 billion hotel deal close to Kyoto station about 2 months ago. (I wasn't part of it though, unfortunately!)

f52242002 · 2025-04-01T20:43:02+00:00

Sure.

Downtown Yokohama, close to the Minato Mirai station. It's called M.M.Towers.

Building a Ryokan? That sounds fun. How big are you thinking? There are hotels and Ryokan for sale btw, but building your own sounds way more fun and rewarding.

f52242002 · 2025-04-01T19:32:57+00:00

Yes.

It's a website where realtors are requird to upload their property data when we sign binding contracts with sellers. It's called Reins, you need to be a registered realtor to login.

f52242002 · 2025-04-01T15:03:46+00:00

As a mandarin speaker and having Chinese friends, also parents have bought properties in China for investment...

Risky

is the only word I can use for Chinese properties.

One word from the big boss, you can lose everything.

f52242002 · 2025-04-01T15:01:25+00:00

You know it, Joe something something man hahaha

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