Let's Get Started With Answering Your Questions
So you are interested in owning a property in Myoko Kogen, and you are keen to get underway, but you still have so many questions!
Although it might feel overwhelming, owning a property in Japan is fairly straightforward. This page is a great place to start answering some of your questions about owning real estate in Myoko. If you don’t find the information you are looking for here, please contact us or read more about our Real Estate company based in the Myoko mountains.
FAQ
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Am I allowed to own property in Japan if I am not a Japanese Citizen or resident?
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Do I need to open a company or a have a special visa to own a property in Japan?
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What can I expect for general running costs of a property in Myoko?
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What is the Permission process for renovations to a house or hotel in Japan?
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What is the potential Rental income of an accommodation in Myoko ski resort?
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What Rental income tax rate do you pay as a property owner in Japan?
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Will I need a license to run my lodge or self contained chalet?
Am I allowed to own property in Japan if I am not a Japanese Citizen or resident?
Foreigners are allowed to own property in Japan, even if they are not a resident.
Do I need to open a company or a have a special visa to own a property in Japan?
It might be in your best interest to open a Japanese company if you plan on doing business in Japan, however it is not a requirement to own property here. The visa you need would depend on your home country, Japanese Immigration law and your planned activities while in the country. It is not uncommon for private home owners to enter the country on a tourist visa for up to three months, while those wishing to stay longer or earn an income at their property often apply to obtain a Business Management Visa, Investor’s Visa, Working Visa or Spousal Visa.
What are the typical closing costs on a Japanese property?
Closing costs on any purchase would typically include Consumption tax, Name change fee, Acquisition tax, Real estate agent fees, and the Judicial Scrivener fee to sign and submit the final documents. For more details, see our Terms & Conditions page or refer to International Interface Tax Page.
What kind of property taxes will I need to pay in Japan?
Generally speaking, you will need to pay a one-time property acquisition tax and then an annual tax on all acquired land and properties. All payments are calculated depending on the size and type of the property. For more details, it is best to consult with a local accountant or refer to the International Interface Tax page.
What can I expect for general running costs of a property in Myoko?
Running costs can vary greatly depending on the size and usage of the property. Utilities are managed by a variety of city services and private companies. Local electricity, water, gas and phone/internet companies are all fairly professional and reliable, and payments can be made with automatic deductions from your Japanese bank account.
For seasonal costs, you will need to budget for snow clearing on your property in the winter months, and for basic care and management in the summer months if left unoccupied. Some neighborhood associations might require an additional annual fee as part of community upkeep.
What is the Permission process for renovations to a house or hotel in Japan?
New Constructions:
As before, constructing new buildings in Japan requires a licensed architect and approval through local government offices.
Interior Renovations:
Generally, interior renovations that do not alter the building's structural components, such as walls, beams, floors, or stairs do not require formal approval. However, as of April 2025, Japan's Building Standards Act has undergone significant revisions, introducing stricter regulations for renovations. Renovations affecting more than 50% of the primary structural components now require a building permit. Additionally, all renovations must comply with updated seismic, energy efficiency, and fire safety standards Heritage Homes Japan+1.
Additions and Structural Changes:
Any modifications that alter the building's structure, such as adding rooms, changing floor plans, or installing new staircases, require a building permit. These projects must adhere to local building codes and zoning laws.
What is it like to renovate a lodge or house in Myoko?
Whether you are a professional tradesman back home, or brand new to the world of bringing old buildings to life, renovating in Myoko will be sure to hold some challenges and surprises! Quite often, Myoko’s old buildings might have some snow damage or require reworking of the electrics and water pipes, although if you buy a property that has been continuously occupied and taken care of, you might be able to avoid major repairs. Local tradesmen vary in skill and price, with the best ones often booked well in advance, so you will need to account for this in your planning. Perhaps compared to your home country, you might be surprised at how limited DIY home centers are, so renovation often requires a fair bit of searching for desired products and materials. Despite the challenges, turning an old, neglected property into something fresh and functional is a joy we know first hand! If you have a big renovation project in mind, or you want some help creating a beautiful interior space, get inspired perusing our Design & Renovations page, and contact us if you think we can help your design dreams come true.
What are the management services and costs ?
As for management costs, Japanese rental companies generally charge between 25% to 35% of booking sales to make bookings, care for the property and management of guests.
For those months of the year when guests won’t be using the company, the cheapest option would be to use our services on an hourly basis. This would basically be periodic check-ins to look for any issues, such as moisture issues, storm control and general upkeep.
Our hourly rate varies between ¥5,000 to ¥7,000 per hour. We would be happy to customize a management program that would work best for you. For more details, please refer to Property Management.
What is the potential Rental income of an accommodation in Myoko ski resort?
The majority of bookings for Myoko accommodation are over the winter season (December through March.) In winter most accommodation is solidly booked over the busiest periods, with many bookings taken well in advance. The accommodation market in Myoko is still growing, but is not oversaturated like some Japanese ski resort towns. There is still plenty of room to grow with lodges and hotels that can accommodate international clientele, and the self-contained market is still growing. Green season bookings would generally come from domestic tourists on weekends or busy public holidays. At the moment, limited green season bookings in Myoko can be just enough to help a property cover the basic monthly costs and utilities, but there are plenty of opportunities to attract bookings and rentals outside of snow season.
What Rental income tax rate do you pay as a property owner in Japan?
The amount of income tax that you pay will depend on how much you make and what tax bracket that you fall under with Japanese tax laws. With only one property, and no other income in Japan, you would most likely not have to pay much, or a very small percentage. Your taxes would also depend on how you set up bookings or rental payments. Again, it’s best to confirm with a qualified tax attorney regarding all tax questions.
Will I need a license to run my lodge or self contained chalet?
If you intend to use your property as a business, then you will need to make sure your property has been issued proper licensing under your name. This not only applies to lodges and restaurants, but to self-contained homes or chalets as well. The cost and difficulty of the license application will depend on the size of the property and the activities you intend to hold there. Obtaining a license can be difficult to navigate on your own, but our company can help put you in contact with a specialized assistant to help get your property up to code and then file the application on your behalf.
Is there a possibility to run our property as a short term rental, and can Myoko Real Estate manage it?
In terms of property management, our company offers a wide range of services to help cater to your personalized needs. For all properties, we offer year-round basic care service for maintenance and upkeep. For those needing help running lodges and hotels, we can assist with putting together a training program for your staff, drawing on our training of eight years of hotel management experience in Myoko, or more than 20 years in hospitality.
For self-contained chalets wanting to rent to guests, our services cover the entire guest experience, from the first booking enquiry to following up after check-out. For more details on what we can for your property and your business, please refer to our Property Management page.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for further details