🛫 What Visas Let You Buy and Live in a Japanese Akiya?

If you're dreaming of buying an akiya in Japan—maybe a 100-year-old farmhouse tucked into the mountains, or a seaside retreat in a sleepy fishing village—you may be wondering:
Can I legally live in Japan full-time if I buy a home there?

The answer: Yes, but buying property alone doesn’t automatically grant you residency.
Japan allows foreign ownership of property without restrictions—but to live in that akiya, you'll need the right visa.

Here’s a breakdown of which Japanese visas allow you to buy, live in, and enjoy your akiya, and what you’ll need to qualify.

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🏠 Can I Buy a House in Japan Without a Visa?

Yes!
Japan has no restrictions on foreigners owning real estate. You don’t need:

• Japanese citizenship
• Permanent residency
• Or even a visa to purchase land or homes

You can buy a property as a non-resident, but you won’t be allowed to live full-time in Japan unless you also obtain a valid long-term visa.

🗂️ What Visas Let You Live in Japan Full-Time?

Here are some of the most common visa types that allow you to reside legally in Japan after purchasing a home:

1. Spouse Visa (配偶者ビザ)

If you're married to a Japanese citizen or permanent resident, you're eligible for a spouse visa.

What it allows:

• Full-time residency
• Work eligibility
• No restrictions on where you can live
• Easy to use your akiya as your primary residence

2. Long-Term Resident Visa (定住者ビザ)

This visa is for individuals with family ties in Japan, such as descendants of Japanese nationals or those who qualify through humanitarian grounds.

Great for:

• People with Japanese ancestry (e.g., Nikkei from Brazil or the U.S.)
• People who have lived in Japan under other visas for many years

3. Investor/Business Manager Visa

This is a popular option for entrepreneurs and remote workers who want to start a business in Japan while also buying a home.

To qualify:

• Invest at least 5 million yen (approx. $34,000 USD) in a business
• Have a physical office (which could be a renovated akiya)
• Submit a business plan and financial documents

Why it’s perfect for akiya buyers:
You can start a guesthouse, remote work retreat, creative studio, or rural co-working space—using your akiya as both a home and a business base.

4. Self-Sponsored Work Visa (Freelancer Route)

If you’ve already worked in Japan and have clients, you may be able to self-sponsor a work visa. This requires proving steady income and valid contracts.

Pro tip: Use your akiya as a low-cost base while continuing freelance work in tech, design, writing, or marketing.

5. Permanent Residency (永住権)

After 5–10 years of continuous residence (depending on your visa type), you may be eligible for permanent residency. This grants you:

• Freedom to live and work anywhere
• No visa renewals
• Full legal ownership and control over your akiya home

6. Retirement Visa? (Not Yet)

Japan currently does not offer a dedicated retirement visa like Thailand or Portugal.
However, some retirees qualify through:

• Long-term resident routes
• Spouse or dependent visas
• Investor/business visas

There is speculation that Japan may introduce a retirement visa in the future, especially to combat rural depopulation—but nothing official yet.

🧳 What About Tourist Visas?

Tourist visas (90-day stay for most countries) allow you to visit Japan and even purchase a property, but:

• You can’t legally live full-time in Japan on a tourist visa
• You may be denied reentry if immigration suspects you're using a tourist visa for residency
• You won’t be able to register your address or get basic services like health insurance

If you plan to spend extended time at your akiya, apply for a proper medium- or long-term visa.

🌍 Can I Use My Akiya to Qualify for a Visa?

Not directly. Simply owning a home won’t grant you a visa, but it can support your application in the following ways:

• As part of your business plan (guesthouse, co-working, studio, etc.)
• As a show of financial stability or long-term intent
• As proof of residence when applying for utilities, phone, insurance, etc.

Our team at Old Houses Japan has experience helping buyers craft visa-friendly business models around their akiya purchases.

✨ Real Examples

• Artist from Germany: Bought an akiya, renovated it into a studio, and received a Business Manager visa.
• Married couple from the U.S.: One spouse received a spousal visa, and the couple moved into their akiya in Mie Prefecture.
• Retired tech worker: Purchased a home and started a consulting business with 5M yen investment to qualify for a business visa.

🧭 Need Help Navigating Visas & Akiya?

We help foreign buyers not just find their dream home—but also figure out how to live legally in Japan long-term.

Whether it’s choosing the right visa route, drafting a business plan, or finding a home that fits your life goals, Old Houses Japan is here to help.

📩 Start your journey today »