Settle Japan
We help overseas buyers choose the right area, find and check properties, and complete a purchase in Japan with licensed local support.
Two things worth doing before you commit to a property.

Already have somewhere in mind? Tell us the town, city or area. We research what living and owning there would actually involve, then send you a concise written analysis of what works, what to watch and what to verify before buying.
Built around your plans: We use your budget, preferred climate, transport and healthcare needs, intended use of the home and relocation timeline. This is not a generic prefecture profile.
Move forward afterwards? We credit the full $29 toward the Japan Property Path when you join within 30 days.

We arrange a local visit to film the house, the street and visible problem areas, then send you the footage and a written report. It helps you get a much better sense of the property's current state before you travel or make the next decision.
Need a full property inspection? A scout visit is not a substitute for one. We can help arrange an inspection with a licensed architect if you would like a professional assessment of the property's structure and condition.
Who goes: an independent local scout, not the seller's agent, so the person reporting back is not paid more if you buy.
Two different jobs. Pick the one that matches where you are.

Already found a house? We check the key property flags and introduce you to a licensed bilingual agent who can handle the purchase.
The agent quotes their own fees directly. After the introduction we step back, which keeps this option inexpensive. If you want us to stay with you through the search and purchase, choose the Property Path below.
We help you choose the region, search and shortlist across 200,000+ listings, match you with a bilingual agent and coordinate an accepted purchase through to the keys.
One payment, nothing recurring. Your agent's own fees are separate and quoted directly. Independent scout visits start at $120 when local coverage is available.
See how the Property Path works →We arrange practical checks for houses that sit empty between visits. Coverage is confirmed before you pay.

We arrange a local visit to walk the house, open the shutters, clear the post box and photograph what has changed since the last check.
Four visits a year is $299, which works out at $75 a visit. Damp goes for the tatami first, and replacing it runs about 5,000 to 20,000 yen a mat.
Quoted before anything starts. No retainer.

We arrange a consultation with a licensed Japanese architect so you understand what the renovation involves before committing money.
Japan tightened its earthquake code in June 1981. Which side of that date your house falls on moves a renovation budget more than almost anything else. The licensed architect sets and quotes their own fee directly. We name the architect and any interpreter before you book, then write up what was agreed.

We define the job clearly, source up to three builder quotes and compare them in English before you commit to a contractor.
Full project coordination is separate. Scheduling, payments, site visits and progress reporting are quoted after you choose the contractor and the final scope is known. Japanese contractors do the building; any interpreting is identified and quoted before work starts.
Letting the house earn while you are not in it, legally.

We coordinate the specialists, fire-safety work and documentation needed to get a suitable house legally ready for paying guests.
Why it is quoted and not priced: a house that already has hard-wired alarms is a different job from one that needs the wiring pulled through. You get the number before anything starts.

We launch your property on Airbnb, Rakuten Oyado or another suitable booking channel, with bilingual copy and a nightly rate based on comparable stays nearby.
The starting price covers one booking channel. Additional eligible channels are quoted after we check the property's licence and operating setup. Photography and travel are also quoted separately. Ongoing guest and property management is a separate regulated service contracted directly with a registered operator.
Use our free tools, work through the complete guide, order a plan built around your circumstances, or talk the options through with us live.

We review your goals, background and constraints live, compare the realistic paths forward, and turn the conversation into a practical written plan.

We compare two or three possible routes for your circumstances and give you a timeline, budget, document checklist and the next steps to take this week.

The whole move written down as a sequence, so you can work through it yourself without missing a step.

Five tools that tell you which visas you could realistically get, and whether any town will pay you to move there.
Messages about our free tools, guides and Japan content.
"It's really remarkable what you have done here! For people looking for an option to feel out Japan Life! It's impressive!"
Joel H.February 2026
"...fallen in love with Japan because of your content and showmanship of Japan."
Charles E.May 2026
"Thank you John. This is so helpful."
Kagi M.July 2026
Choose the service and region. We will confirm the next step, availability and price.
John reads every enquiry and usually replies within two days.
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