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

Want a free house in Japan?

Did you know that Japan has so many vacant houses that some are being given away for free?

These "akiya" houses (aka abandoned houses) are available across the country, often in rural areas, and anyone can claim them, even foreigners.

But is there a catch? We’ll explore if these homes are truly free, how to find them, and what hidden costs to expect if you wish to claim your dream Japanese home.

We will also give you a free checklist to help you evaluate akiya houses.

Let's get started!

Are there houses for free in Japan?

Technically, yes. However, houses that are for free in Japan are often old houses and will require some amount of renovation to make them liveable.

Depending on the contract, the former owner of the house may pay certain fees and taxes when giving away 0 yen houses. If not, the new owner will be responsible for the associated fees.

Akiya databases and akiya banks are great methods for finding cheap Japanese real estate. Such sites will often have a filter feature so that you can find the cheapest houses within your budget.

Why are people giving away houses for free?

There are various reasons old houses in Japan are being given away at a low cost or close to free.

1. Property condition

An owner of a house may decide that the property (and subsequent financial burden) is not one they wish to maintain and may ask their city office to help them find a new owner for the property.

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 degrading akiya furniture, 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 and urban areas are popular destinations for Japanese youth, leaving the Japanese countryside empty and many abandoned homes in their wake.

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

However, if you have the ability to work remotely, then the countryside of Japan is a great place to experience aspects of Japanese culture that can only be experienced in Japan's inaka.

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.

Owning a property in Japan's countryside that an individual is not living in is an added expense and one that many Japanese absentee homeowners would prefer to forgo.

👉Note: See MailMate's property tax calculator for an approximation of your real estate 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 setting up a free house in Japan, check out MailMate!

MailMate offers a comprehensive range of services to simplify the process of buying and setting up these cheap and free houses in Japan for foreigners.

One of the main features is their bilingual assistance with all property-related issues, such as getting utilities set up, scheduling maintenance, and translating your Japanese mail into English.

Plus, MailMate will pay your bills on your behalf if you are away from your property.

Where can you find free houses in Japan?

There are 2 ways to find free houses in Japan.

1. Akiya databases

Akiya 0 yen website

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

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

The most famous site for free akiya houses is Minna no Zero-en Bukken (Japanese site), 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.

👉Need help finding an English-speaking real estate agent in Japan? Check out this article!

How to get a free house in Japan

Here's a no-frills summary of how to get a free house in Japan:

1. Find a property you are interested in.

2. Fill out the application.

3. Wait for the owner or real estate agent to contact you.

4. Discuss and negotiate the costs and fees.

5. Sign the contract.

👉For a more detailed explanation, check out this guide on how to purchase a property in Japan.

Let MailMate help get your free house in Japan up and running

As a foreigner interested in purchasing property in Japan, the real estate purchase process can be daunting!

Here's where MailMate can help.

MailMate has a wide range of services to help new homeowners get their Japanese property up and running. 

a) Mail management

Once MailMate receives your mail, documents, or packages, the mail will be scanned and translated into English for your convenience. You’ll never miss important documents or notifications.

With an intuitive dashboard and features, you can let the MailMate staff know to store, shred, or forward your important documents with just 1-click.

b) Bilingual support

MailMate is a bilingual service that can help you understand application forms, contracts, and other property-related documents.

Additionally, MailMate can help set up your utilities, connect you to high-speed internet, facilitate homeowner's insurance, schedule maintenance for property maintenance, and much more!

c) Bill payment

Away from your property? 

MailMate will handle bills on your behalf, including utilities and other expenses relating to your property. 

What are the hidden costs of a free house in Japan?

Free houses in Japan are a deal of a lifetime. 

But even houses that are essentially free will have some costs that the new homeowner must incur:

Description	Cost
Registration print fee	200 yen
Registration license tax	Fixed asset tax assessed value x 2%
Judicial scrivener agency fee	Fees can vary by region
Gift tax	Taxable price × Tax rate − Deduction amount
Real estate acquisition tax	Fixed asset tax assessed value x 2%
Fixed asset tax	Fixed asset tax assessed value x 2%
City planning tax (some areas)	Fixed asset tax assessed value × 0.3%

Additionally, many of these free houses in Japan will need renovations. These costs might be as simple as wallpaper or paint repairs or as complex as adding insulation, fixing the roof, or upgrading internal structures.

The Japanese government and some cities have created subsidies for helping homeowners with renovation costs, which can add up to 2 to 10 million yen, depending on the condition of the house in question.

👉To learn more about renovation costs and government subsidies, check out this guide.

House condition checklist for free houses in Japan

Wondering about the state of your Japanese house? Make sure to check out the areas outlined in this checklist.

Free House in Japan Checklist

Frequently asked questions

What are the requirements for buying a property in Japan?

There is no specific qualification for buying property, land, or real estate 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 conversational Japanese language skills 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.

Is Japan giving away free homes?

Some municipalities in Japan give away houses that are free or very cheap. Such houses, however, are often in the countryside and require renovation. This could be a good opportunity for individuals who want to experience Japanese village life and wish to take on a renovation project.

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.