Free Houses in Japan: What To Know [+ Checklist]

Want a free house in Japan? Akiyas are the way to go to get a cheap Japanese house. 

We will explain why these houses are free in Japan, provide ways to find them, and provide all you need to know about them. We will also give you a free checklist when looking at these akiya houses.

Are there houses for free in Japan?

Technically, yes.

Free houses in Japan are in the rural or countryside areas of Japan, and the prices of these houses are very low to the point they are free.

Many akiya databases or akiya banks can list their properties from lowest price to highest. Be sure to use their filter systems to find the cheapest houses they have.

The best part? Foreigners can get akiya houses!

Why are people giving away houses for free?

1. Property condition

The most important thing if you want an akiya house for free is to know the condition of the house.

Many unoccupied and unmaintained houses result in structural issues, pest infestations, and mold. It’s best to have a professional property inspector check whether the house can be repaired or renovated.

2. Location

As people in real estate say, “Location, location, location.”

Location is everything. Cities are popular for young Japanese people, leaving the Japanese countryside empty.

Akiya houses are usually in the countryside (inaka) or low-populated towns in Japan, usually away from the city.

However, the location of the free house doesn’t matter if you have remote work. However, there may be a lack of public transportation and facilities around.

3. Taxes

While the property taxes in Japan are not high compared to most U.S. states, many Japanese people prefer to only pay for the places they are living in.

Most akiyas in Japan are vacant, meaning there is no incentive to pay property taxes.

Can foreigners get a free house in Japan?

Yes. Anyone can get a free akiya in Japan, as no citizenship or resident status is required.

If you need help getting and setting up a free house in Japan, MailMate is the service for you. They have a range of services, such as tax management, utility setup, digital mail management, and bilingual translation summaries, to make owning property in Japan as easy as possible.

Where can you find free houses in Japan?

There are 2 ways to find free houses in Japan.

1. Akiya databases

Also known as akiya banks, these are online portals where you can find information about most of the akiyas in Japan. 

Depending on the property, the listings are from the owners or by the municipal government. 

The most famous site for free akiya houses is Minna no Zero-en Bukken, where the listings are 0 yen. However, these houses will need renovation and are often high maintenance.

2. Real estate agents or brokers

Some akiyas have contract requirements for new owners to meet before legally owning the house.

For example, some contracts require new owners to live permanently in the house. Others have a ‘rent-to-own’ policy, where you rent the property for several years before you become the owner.

Working with a real estate agency or a broker will help you find the perfect akiya home that does not have these requirements.

These people know which properties are free or on sale, need little to no renovations, and can help you with the correct paperwork to buy the house.

The hidden costs of a free house

Free houses in Japan are a deal of a lifetime. But even if these houses are at zero yen, there might be extra fees such as:

• Transfer taxes

• Property acquisition tax

• Registration fees

• Extra renovation costs

Renovation costs might be as simple as repairs or as complex as adding insulation and upgrading the internal structures. 

It may be worth it to create a home to your liking while getting it at a low price.

Condition checklist for free houses in Japan

Frequently asked questions

What are the requirements for buying a property in Japan?

There is no specific qualification for buying property or land in Japan. So foreigners and non-permanent residents can buy Japanese property abroad or while on vacation here. 

Do I need to speak Japanese to buy a free akiya house?

While having a conversational or native Japanese ability is not required to buy a free akiya house, some fluency would be most beneficial for smoother legal transactions. Services like MailMate will help you set up your utilities and act as a tax representative.

How many free houses are in Japan?

The Nomura Research Institute estimates there will be 21.7 million empty properties by 2033.

In closing

Getting a free house in Japan sounds like a dream. However, being able to inspect the house's condition physically and knowing the additional fees will make getting an akiya less stressful. Use our checklist as a guide when before fully purchasing your free akiya.