Global Destination: Japan

JAPAN

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Japan is recognised for its beautiful culture, friendly people and spectacular landscapes. It is one of the world’s most technologically advanced countries, with a stable and prosperous economy, low crime rates, and a hard-working population.

Composed entirely of islands located in the Pacific Ocean, the main island being Honshu, it has 47 prefectures (or districts) occupying 377,974.17 square kilometres. As the world’s third largest economy, it creates a great environment for overseas investors.

COVID UPDATE: Japan maintains the tightest border controls of any developed country. It may not open up to widespread tourism until at least the second quarter of 2022 or potentially even later.

HOKKAIDO

Hokkaido, most northern of Japan’s four main islands, is best known for magnificent natural beauty. Its many ski resorts are famous for their fine powder snow. Many Australians have visited, and many have moved here. Niseko is the most popular ski resort.

Five of the best

SAPPORO CITY, Hokkaido’s capital, is an amazing city with beautiful streetscape, spacious parks, unique museums, local fish market and regional food. The famous Sapporo Snow Festival occurs for one week every February. OTARU CITY is a small harbour city along Ishikari Bay, an hour by train from Sapporo City. It is best known for its preserved canal area and 19th century warehouses, and the Otaru Snow Light Path in February. HOKKAIDO is home to hundreds of Onsens or natural thermal springs, with Noboribestu Onsen touted one of the best and part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park.

BLUE POND, located in the outskirt of Biei town, is spectacular. It became very famous when it appeared as the iPhone wallpaper. FOOD! HOKKAIDO is the largest gourmet city in Japan. Jingisukan is one of the best-known dishes, which is grilled lamb with vegetables on a special iron plate. The extremely sweet Yubari Melon is Hokkaido’s famous fruit.

KYOTO

Kyoto, a short bullet train ride from Tokyo, served as the country’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 to 1868.

Due to its exceptional historic value, the city was spared from World War II destruction and countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survived. One of Japan’s ten largest cities, it has a population of 1.5 million+ and a modern face. Many attractive rural areas in the Kyoto Prefecture lie beyond the city itself.

Five of the best

VISIT TEMPLES and shrines such as Kiyomizudera Temple and Kinkakuji. The Shimogamo Shrine dates to the 6th century and seems suspended in time. See the life-sized thousand armed Kannon statues of Sanjūsangen-dō. ENJOY WHITE-SAND beaches and mineral-rich hot springs on the Tango Peninsula. STAY IN a traditional ryokan. DINE OVERLOOKING the Kamo River.

VISIT AMANOHASHIDATE for scenery, Miyama for thatched roof farmhouses and Uji, famous for its green tea.

REAL ESTATE MATTERS

The Japanese residential market is one of Asia Pacific’s most developed and largest, and the country’s regulations and laws make is attractive for investors. It is a market with relative ease of transactions. Japan has some of the most relaxed foreign ownership regulations in the region.

The lower entry price for Japanese property compared with Sydney and Melbourne has been an attractive proposition for young Australians. Young locals gravitate to the bigger cities, offering opportunities to foreigners looking for well-priced homes in the Japanese countryside. Some decide to live in the houses full-time or just spend their holidays in rural areas such as Niseko, for example. You’ll also find investors who target apartments in Tokyo and houses in Niseko for rental return.

TOKYO

As Japan’s capital and the world’s most populous metropolis, Tokyo offers tradition, innovation, and unlimited opportunities to eat, shop and explore. High rise, fast-paced and neon-lit, Tokyo is as futuristic as it is historical. Shinjuku is the thriving business district with skyscrapers and back street tiny bars. Asakusa is the heart of Tokyo’s downtown, with ancient temples and traditional stores. The Tokyo Metropolitan Area, with 13,982,622 (April 2020), accounts for approximately 10 per cent of Japan’s total population.

Five of the best

DON’T MISS TOYOSU MARKET, the world’s largest wholesale fish and seafood market.

EXPLORE A DIZZYING array of restaurant and dining options, from theme cafes to haute cuisine. CHECK OUT THE LATEST electronics, games and gadgets at Akihabara, the home of technology and anime culture.

SHOP - from the trendy shopping districts of Harajuku and Shibuya to the luxury of Ginza. VISIT TOKYO’ S most famous temple, Sensoji, before ferrying down the Sumida River.

Want to know more?

RE/MAX opened in Japan in 2013. From bases in Kansai/Osaka, Hokkaido and Kanagawa/Shizuoka, RE/MAX agents help locals and foreigners to buy, sell, or rent all kinds of residential and commercial properties in Tokyo and other Japanese cities and regions.

Search property through https://look.remax-japan.jp/.

Guide to buying process* (cash)

1. Send an intent letter to the seller’s agent. 2. Arrange date/time for signing of the sales and purchase contract once the offer is accepted. 3. Go over a draft of the Sales and Purchase contract online.

4. Wire deposit to Japan. 5. Sign the sales and purchase contract and other documents with deposit (max. 10% of the sale price). 6. Calculate the final payment and wire funds to Japan.

*The process takes about one or one and a half months if the property is vacant. Please check all information with the relevant authority.