30 stories
Online bank mortgages offer low interest rates, easy procedures, and free prepayments. This article explains key differences from traditional banks, including screening, fees, and consultation support, from an investor's perspective.
A thorough entrepreneur-focused guide to the features, reputation, and how to use Startup Handbook. Learn how effective this free business magazine is and how to make use of the information it offers in management.
Building a custom house in Japan averages ¥42,598,000 (approx. USD 284,000) in 2025, or ¥53,129,000 (approx. USD 354,000) including land — figures drawn from government survey data, since Japan has no MLS-style public database of actual sale prices. This guide covers the national and regional averages, the per-tsubo math, what counts as taxes and fees, financing, and the 2026 mortgage tax credit and subsidy programs, all sourced to primary Japanese government data.
A guide to why real estate agencies close on Wednesdays, their typical business hours, and the best days and times to visit or view a property. Covers crowd levels by day of the week, using online viewings, and what to prepare before you go.
An essential guide for first-time buyers that explains the home purchase process in six steps, from financing plans to handover. It also covers mortgage screening, home inspections, and contract cancellation risks.
Need to move before your lease ends? This guide explains whether early termination is possible, when penalties apply, the notice period, and the process from move-out to security deposit return.
This guide covers 11 essential checkpoints when viewing a rental property, from layout and facilities to sunlight, soundproofing, and security. Use it to compare options carefully and avoid regrets after signing.
A comparison of 1LDK to 4LDK layouts to help families of three choose the right home. Learn how to match a floor plan to your child’s growth and your lifestyle.
Explains the size of a 20-tatami LDK, about 33 square meters, what daily life looks like for a family of four, and practical considerations such as furniture flexibility, cleaning, and utility costs.
A sofa can still work in a small living room. This article explains how to choose the right size and type, such as compact two-seaters, low-profile models, and armless sofas, plus layout ideas that reduce visual heaviness.
This article explains the key points for creating a floor plan you will not regret in a newly built home. It covers household flow and storage planning, then introduces five successful examples including shoe closets, pantries, and utility spaces.
Renovation companies generally fall into four categories: major firms, real-estate affiliated firms, design-office based firms, and local builders. This guide explains five essential points for choosing the right company, from defining your concept to evaluating past projects.
This article explains practical furniture and layout strategies for making a small dining room more comfortable. It covers extension tables, dining sofas, wall-side placement, and other space-saving techniques you can apply at home.
Explains the real sense of size of a 20-tatami LDK and the advantages of living in a larger space. Introduces specific layout and interior tips to make a spacious living area look stylish and well balanced.
Building structure affects not only comfort but also repair costs, insurance, financing, and future resale. In Japan, where earthquake risk, building-code history, and lender collateral practices are central to real-estate decisions, wood-f
This guide explains how debit cards work and their advantages. By comparing them with credit cards and reviewing recommended options, it helps readers find the card that best fits their needs.
This article introduces seven saving methods practiced by minimalists. It thoroughly explains how to reduce expenses through giving up television, switching to low-cost SIMs, and making use of Tsumitate NISA and iDeCo.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of north-facing rooms with other orientations. This article explains who they suit, what to check when choosing a property, and practical ways to live comfortably.
In Japan, a “low-cost house” is not simply a cheap house. It is typically a detached home whose construction cost is reduced by rationalizing design, specifications, procurement, and the building process. For global investors and English-sp
Sixty tsubo is about 200 square meters. This guide clearly explains building coverage and floor area ratios, along with home layout ideas such as two-generation living, a spacious LDK, 6LDK plans, gardens, and storage.
A 35-tsubo (about 116 sqm) single-story home can accommodate 3 to 4 bedrooms plus living, dining, and kitchen space. This guide explains practical ideas for families, multigenerational living, and hobby rooms, along with key points for storage, water areas, and floor-plan shape.
A detailed guide to barrier-free housing design by room and facility. It covers core measures such as step-free layouts, temperature-gap reduction, and fall prevention to create a safer, more comfortable home.
This guide explains the basics of tsubo unit pricing before building a new home, including how it is calculated, the difference between total floor area and construction area, as well as ancillary work and other fees. It also shares tips for comparing estimates from multiple builders.
A detailed comparison of monthly electricity costs for kotatsu and air conditioners, with concrete figures. For people living alone, a kotatsu may cost from around JPY 600 per month versus about JPY 3,200 or more for air conditioning. The guide also explains eight saving tips and smart ways to use each option.
Learn how to place a double bed in a 6-tatami room measuring 360 cm by 270 cm without making the space feel cramped. This guide introduces three layout patterns by the window, in the center, and near the entrance, plus key furniture selection tips.
A comprehensive guide to the advantages of renting a detached house (noise, parking, yard, pets) and disadvantages (rent, security, location). Also covers key points to check before renting, fixed-term lease considerations, and who this housing type suits best.
Japan's lease renewal fee (更新料, kōshinryō) is a one-time payment to landlords with no direct equivalent in US, UK, or Australian leases — ranging from ¥0 to 1.4 months' rent depending on the prefecture, and backed by a public dataset that has not been updated in nearly two decades. Using official government data, this guide breaks down the true two-year cost on a ¥83,381 (approx. USD 556) average rent, covers consumption tax rules, a tenant's statutory rent-negotiation rights, and what to do if you can't pay.
In Japan, building a custom home can take from six months to more than a year from land search to handover. If you sign before understanding the process, decisions about additional costs, specification changes, financing, and construction d
A practical guide to long, narrow living rooms commonly found in apartments, covering their features, pros and cons, and stylish layout ideas for anyone planning a move or a room refresh.
In general, borrowers are expected to be under 65 to 70 at application and under 75 to 80 at final repayment. This guide explains how to think about loan terms by age group, from your 20s to your 50s, and how parent-child relay loans can help.