What happens when someone halfway across the world decides to buy a home in Japan? Some are doing just that—creating new relationships with place, whether as part-time residents, guesthouse owners, or creative investors. We’ve had the chance to support a few of them. This series shares their stories.
Key Facts
Two-storey house in Gyoda, Saitama
Purchase price: $27,000
Refurbishment: $6,000 - covering new tatami mats, flooring, a bathroom vanity, and more.
Utility bills: $80 when inhabitated. $60 of this is internet.
In LA where he lives in the US he pays $200 for electricity and $120 for internet
Nostal Homes supported: Purchase process, Remodeling, Property tax handling
A producer in the gaming industry with an import company on the side, Dean had a long-standing dream of owning a home in Japan. So when he realized the opportunity was real—he jumped on it.
Now, he owns a two-story house in Gyōda, Saitama. It’s a city he hadn’t heard of before, but it’s just 1 hour and 40 minutes by train from Tokyo—or only 38 minutes by Shinkansen for around $12.
It struck a balance: close enough to be connected, far enough for housing to be more affordable. And most importantly—it has everything he needs.
Dean has been visiting Japan regularly since 2006, and his very first trip made a lasting impression.
I fell in love the day I arrived in 2006, I was there for work (Tokyo Game Show). The food, the culture, the people—all of it. Since I went in 2006, I fell in love with Japan. It beats the pants off the U.S.
Over the years, the wish to one day own a home there stayed with him—for over a decade. His 12-year-old dream has now taken a step toward reality. But the aim is to make it a permanent move.
That home turned out to be a two-story house in Gyōda. Dean had never been to the city before, but after some strategic scouting on Google Maps, he realized the location had everything he needed:
There’s a supermarket (Belc) five minutes from my house, and the train station is just as close. There are 14 restaurants within walking distance, a hospital, a Hard Off (a secondhand store), and a 7-Eleven. I don’t need a car to do anything—it’s wonderful.
The house itself? In great shape, especially for its age.
Dean bought the property for $27,000 USD and has spent about $6,000 fixing it up so far—installing new tatami mats, flooring, a bathroom vanity, and more.
Utilities are also much more affordable than in the U.S. In L.A., he pays $200 a month for electricity. In his new house, the bill is just $30 when the house is empty, and around $80 when he’s staying there.
Buying a home in Japan turned out to be a lot easier than Dean expected—thanks to the support of Ryo from Nostal Homes.
He started out browsing listings on akiya-mart.com, and when the right property came along, the entire purchase process felt painless. They closed the sale in under a month. Ryo guided him through every step—from the walk-through to setting up utilities and registering taxes.
This wouldn’t have happened without Ryo. He’s been 1,000% supportive.
Of course, homeownership abroad comes with its own learning curve. In addition to setting up utilities, Japan has an ultra-specific (but efficient) garbage system that had to be studied. Coordinating contractors, and everything in between, has also been on the to-do list.