30 stories
Thirty tsubo is about 99 square meters or 60 tatami mats. Learn how it compares with average detached-home sizes, what building coverage ratio means, and how to design a spacious, comfortable home.
A practical guide to finding the right rental property. Learn how to set your rent budget and preferred area, what to check during viewings, and how to choose a real estate company. If this is your first apartment search, INA&Associates can help.
Learn the six key points for comparing homebuilders without costly mistakes, from building performance, price and design to after-sales support and the character of the representative, along with how they differ from local builders.
Learn three practical ways to build a low-cost single-story home through standard specifications, simple layouts, and ZEH equipment, along with key benefits such as easier parking planning and a stronger mortgage screening profile.
A clear guide to the differences between building area, total floor area, and building size. Learn the basics of building coverage ratio and floor area ratio, and why area calculations can vary by document.
Even a small living room can feel more spacious with the right approach. This guide covers five practical techniques, including low-profile furniture, light-expanding colors, perspective-based layouts, and ways to maximize openness around windows.
Best cities to live rankings in Japan can be a useful starting point for area selection, but they are not a final answer for buying a home or making an investment. Rather than relying on rank alone, it is important to read each area through
A clear guide to making the most of a 2LDK for solo living, with ideas for using rooms as a home office, hobby room, or guest room, plus practical selection tips and common pitfalls.
Rental websites fall into five main categories, including portals, property management company sites, and niche platforms. This guide explains their features, how to use each effectively, and how to choose the right sites to find the best property faster.
Save 1 to 365 yen, one amount per day, and you end the year with 66,795 yen. How the method works, how to build the tracking sheet, and how to keep going.
Wood-frame apartments (mokuzō, 木造) are Japan's most common rental housing type, and they rent for an average of ¥14,139 (approx. USD 94) less per month than steel or reinforced-concrete buildings — but 26.6% of wood-frame tenants report dissatisfaction with soundproofing between floors, more than double the rate in reinforced-concrete buildings. Because Japan has no MLS-style public database of actual sale prices, this guide instead draws on national government statistics — housing surveys, acoustic research, and fire white papers — to compare rent, noise, and fire risk by construction type, so international investors can judge whether wood-frame is the right choice as of August 2026.
Compare dehumidifier electricity costs by type, including compressor, desiccant, and hybrid models. We also explain how they differ from air conditioners and how to reduce running costs.
1K and 1DK suit solo living, 1LDK and 2LDK fit couples, and 4LDK works for a family of four. Covers layout selection by household type, when to prepare a child's room, and rent levels by area.
Explains the pros and cons of a 1DK, layout tips to make it feel more spacious, and key points for furniture selection and traffic flow. A practical guide to know before moving into a 1DK property.
Air conditioners are usually cheapest in August and September. Learn practical ways to save, from choosing previous-year models and negotiating discounts to making the most of online purchases.
## A Real Estate Investment Tax Return Is Not Just Filing Tax; It Is Operating Control
What kind of self-investment is necessary to succeed in real estate investing? This guide explains how to use books, seminars, and landlord communities effectively, along with practical ways to study without turning learning into wasteful spending.
How many tatami mats should a children’s room have? Using 6 tatami mats as a baseline, this article explains how to choose the right room size and layout based on family structure, gender, and future partitioning plans.
An explanation of key money, its origin, the typical market rate of one month's rent, and how it differs from a deposit. Also covers pitfalls of no-key-money rentals and how to negotiate a reduction.
In Japan-specific residential leasing, **shikikin** (敷金) is money a tenant deposits with the landlord under a lease agreement. It is applied to unpaid rent or damage caused intentionally or negligently by the tenant.
A guide to dividing a children’s room for siblings. It covers age-appropriate partitions, movable storage, furniture-based dividers, and other practical ideas to reduce conflict.
A neutral, beginner-friendly guide to asset management explained for international readers. Compare the major asset classes, learn the three methods of diversification, weigh the pros and cons of real estate, and understand Japan-specific tax-advantaged programs such as NISA and iDeCo (with US 401(k) and Roth IRA comparisons and USD conversions).
Tatami rooms may seem impractical for children, but with the right ideas they can become stylish spaces. Explore renovation tips like foam mats, DIY wallpaper, and modern tatami, plus no-renovation options.
A beginner-friendly guide to how gold accumulation plans work and how to get started. Learn the advantages, disadvantages, and practical tips for investing successfully from an investment professional.
The first number to check when managing an apartment is the yield. However, if you make a purchase decision solely based on the yield displayed in the advertisement, you may end up with less money left than expected. This is because most ad
Learn the full process of buying a used condominium and the three key points to check before you decide. We cover budgeting, building age, management condition, and renovation planning in a clear and practical way.
This article explains the mortgage structure for buying a used condo, the earthquake-resistance standards required for Flat 35, the conditions for mortgage tax deductions, and the practical benefits of running a loan simulation before purchase.
## Do Not Choose Flat 35 Only Because “a Fixed Rate Feels Safe”
## Condominium Investment Failure Is Not Caused Only by “a Bad Property”
This guide explains the Sumai Housing Benefit, a program designed to reduce the consumption tax burden when buying a home. It covers eligibility requirements, how the benefit amount is calculated, and important points to check before purchasing a home.