News & Insights

Cherry blossoms along a Tokyo canal, featuring Japandi Real Estate’s neighborhood guide.

October 9, 2026

7 min read

Neighborhood Guide: The Best Places to Live in Tokyo

Choosing where to live in Tokyo often starts with choosing a ward. I compared five wards popular with foreigners: what each one is like, and what it actually costs to rent there in 2026.

A view of the Nakameguro train station tracks.

October 2, 2026

6 min read

Tokyo Line by Line: Where to Live on the Toyoko

Choosing where to live in Tokyo typically starts with choosing a train line and a station. I spent a day visiting six stops on the Toyoko Line to see what each neighborhood is really like, and what it costs.

Tokyo rental property listings displayed outside a real estate agency, with a sold sign and Tokyo skyline in the background.

September 25, 2026

7 min read

Why Renting in Tokyo is So Hard for Foreigners (And What to Do About It)

Fees, paperwork, guarantors, and apartments that vanish within days. What I learned trying to rent in Tokyo as a foreigner and working at a real estate company, and what to do when the standard route doesn't work.

A view from inside an apartment in Tokyo with Japandi keys lying

September 22, 2026

9 min

How to Buy an Apartment in Japan as a Foreigner: A Step-by-Step Guide

Foreigners can buy apartments in Japan, but the building matters as much as the unit. Learn how to judge fees, repair plans and financing before you buy.

September 18, 2026

9 min Read

How to Renovate a House in Japan

Give an older Japanese house a new chapter. Our guide covers renovation planning, budgets, building rules and preserving the character of your home.

An older temple constructed using japanese traditional carpentry.

September 15, 2026

5 min read

A Quick Guide to Japanese Joinery - A Japandi Story

Learn how traditional Japanese joinery helped preserve Sangenjaya Villa, an 86-year-old Tokyo house, by connecting new pieces of timber with parts of the original wooden structure that was still intact.

September 11, 2026

9 min read

How to Buy a House in Japan as a Foreigner

A practical guide for overseas buyers looking for the right house and a clear path to buying in Japan.

Construction of an old japanese house with forests in the background.

August 31, 2026

6 min read

Too Many Japanese Trees, Not Enough Timber?

Japan has more forest than most countries on Earth, so why do they so heavily rely on imported wood?

Japan vs Europe and US when it comes o old buildings

August 20, 2026

5 min read

Why an Older Home in Tokyo Might Be the Smarter Buy

Older homes are gaining popularity in Tokyo, Japan

Tiled bathroom interior with natural stone and timber ceiling in a Tokyo renovation

July 28, 2026

7 minutes red

Construction Crisis in Japan: How Japanese Bathrooms Are Made

From unit baths to custom tile, here's how Japanese bathrooms are built - and what we'd recommend for your renovation.

Buy in Tokyo - Don't Make these mistakes

July 23, 2026

9min read

Why Some Buyers Keep Missing the Best Properties in Japan

Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make. While careful research is essential, waiting too long can mean losing the right opportunity. Here's how to make informed decisions with confidence when buying real estate in Japan.

Residential street in Tokyo lined with houses and apartment buildings

July 16, 2026

７min read

What Is REINS? Japan's Private Property Listing System Explained

REINS is Japan's private real estate listing network used by licensed real estate companies. In this guide, we explain how REINS works, how it compares to the U.S. MLS, and why some properties never appear on public websites like SUUMO or LIFULL HOME'S.

Renovated apartment interior in Tokyo with natural wood finishes

July 10, 2026

5 min read

How Much Does a Renovation Cost in Japan? (2026 Guide)

A practical guide to renovation costs in Japan, including cosmetic renovations, skeleton renovations, kitchen and bathroom budgets, and lessons learned from renovating homes in Tokyo.

Modern three-story house for sale in Nakameguro, Tokyo, with rooftop terrace and garage

July 6, 2026

3 min read

House for Sale in Nakameguro | Modern 3-Story Home with Rooftop Terrace & Garage

Discover a modern three-story house for sale in Nakameguro, Tokyo. Built in 2010, this sun-filled corner home offers over 120m² of living space, a rooftop terrace, garage, and is just a short walk from the Meguro River and its famous cherry blossoms. Contact JAPANDI Real Estate to arrange a viewing.

Modern Tokyo home exterior representing a high-value property purchase

July 6, 2026

8 min read

Actual Closing Costs on a ¥100 Million House in Tokyo (2026)

The Actual Cost of Buying a House or Apartment in Japan

Tokyo residential street showing houses during a home search

July 6, 2026

10 min read

How to Buy Property in Japan as a Foreigner

Thinking about buying property in Japan? This step-by-step guide explains everything foreign buyers need to know, from finding the right home and conducting due diligence to financing, contracts, and closing.

Small aging timber house on a narrow Tokyo street, an example of unrebuildable land

June 30, 2026

9 min read

What Does "Unrebuildable Land" Mean in Japan? (再建築不可 Explained: Understanding the Opportunities and Risks)

Explaining Tokyos Ultra Cheap Properties, Non-Rebuildable Structures

Modern condominium tower beside a detached house in Tokyo

June 29, 2026

7 min read

Why a Tokyo Condo Cost More Than the House Next Door

Why would an apartment be worth more than a detached house? Explore the unique factors driving Tokyo's real estate market and why it often surprises foreign buyers.

Tokyo apartment building exterior representing the rental market

June 29, 2026

4 min read

Why Tokyo Rents Are Rising: The Shift to Fixed-Term Leases (Teiki Shakka)

Market Update - Why Traditional Rental Contracts are ending.

Tokyo skyline with residential and commercial buildings

June 25, 2026

5 min read

Tokyo's Property Boom Arrived Late

Market Update - Why Tokyo prices are increasing

Renovated older Tokyo apartment interior with warm wood tones

June 3, 2026

4 min read

Why Tokyo’s Older Apartments Are Becoming More Valuable

For decades, Tokyo's market revolved around new builds. Today, older apartments in strong neighborhoods are quietly becoming some of the city's most interesting opportunities — here's why.

Home renovation in progress in Tokyo showing exposed structure and materials

May 12, 2026

8 min read

Why Most Foreigners Overpay for Renovations in Japan

Why renovating in Tokyo is different from anywhere else — and what international buyers need to understand about budgets, craftsmanship, and communication before they begin.

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