Managing Japanese Property From Overseas: A Foreigner’s Real Estate Journey

Today, we sat down with Jus, a former Japan resident turned digital nomad now living in Dubai. Working in government finance, teaching English, building a photography career, and later diving into the world of Web3, Jus has lived through several unique chapters.

In this interview, he shares why he chose to invest in a rental property in Yokohama, the challenges he faced as a foreign homeowner in Japan, and how his plans shifted as life took him overseas. Whether you’re a foreign investor, current homeowner, or simply curious about real estate in Japan, his story offers valuable insights into navigating property ownership from abroad.

Mr.LAND: Can you kindly introduce yourself?

Jus: I was born in Malaysia, and my family moved to Australia when I was 9. I worked for the government in financial systems until I was 26 and then moved to Japan to work in education as an English teacher. I then worked as a photographer in Japan for 10 years before getting into the world of Web3 and cryptocurrency, which was the reason I left Japan for Dubai.

Mr.LAND: Why did you buy this property?

Jus: It’s my first rental investment and I thought it would be an ideal first rental property, as it was close to Yokohama hub station. I used to have a property in Oyamadai where I lived, but I sold it. Then, I used the money to buy this apartment. I looked outside of Tokyo as I could get more space with the budget I had. Also, since I’ve lived in Tokyo for many years, I thought Yokohama would be a nice change of scenery. The neighborhood seems pretty nice, there’s a park, and the bus goes straight to the apartment.

I didn’t actually know how long I was going to stay there. My plans then changed and I moved to Dubai. It just so happens you guys also deal with rentals, kind of like a one-stop shop, and you helped me with everything so it worked out well.

Mr.LAND: Were you looking for anything specific in the home search when you first bought the property?

Jus: The main criteria were price and earthquake safety.

I had also originally wanted something within 10 minutes to the station. This apartment is 18 minutes from the station which is a bit far, but I thought it looked pretty spacious. Other search criteria included transportation to amenities nearby. The condo unit itself had such an amazing view and it was really near to a really nice park. 

Mr. LAND: How was your experience living in Japan as a foreigner? Did you have any trouble or have any memorable stories to tell?

Jus: I think the main thing would be language. If a foreigner moves to Japan and they don’t take their time to learn, you end up having to deal with a lot of miscommunication or not being able to express yourself.

Mr. LAND: Did you face any challenges during the initial purchase process?

Jus: I think the language barrier. But your company really helped me through the process, especially the paperwork, so it was pretty smooth. This is my second property in Japan, in both cases it was pretty smooth. 

Mr.LAND: You had originally thought about selling the property when you moved to Dubai, but ultimately decided to pivot and rent it out. What were your thoughts at the time?

Initially, I thought it would be easier to sell the property as-is, but you recommended that I renovate it to make it more marketable. At the time, my finances were tied up in other investments, so it was difficult for me to proceed with renovations.

Eventually, we were able to carry out some light, inexpensive renovations when we found tenants. My plan is to rent it out for a couple of years to recoup the renovation costs, and in the end, it should be worthwhile when I decide to sell.

Mr. LAND: How has your experience been working with Haruka (agent-in-charge)?

Jus: It’s been amazing working with her. From start to finish, the rental process was very smooth and I was always being updated regularly if there were any issues. I never felt like I was in the dark.

If I had any capital in the future, I’d definitely purchase an apartment from your company. You always have your clients’ best interests in mind.

Mr. LAND: Is there anything you would have done differently?

Jus: I think I should have planned things a lot better with my move to Dubai. I was trying to sell the property at the last minute so I didn’t plan it very well. I think if I had wanted to do it again, I’d probably renovate it first, and have the money to renovate first before putting it into investment. Other than that, it turned out well. 

Jus’s story highlights the realities many foreign homeowners face in Japan—balancing language barriers, unpredictable life changes, and the complexities of managing property from overseas. Yet with the right support, flexibility, and long-term perspective, investment can still work out better than expected.

We extend our sincere thanks to Jus for sharing his experience so openly, and we’re proud to have supported him through both the buying and rental stages. His journey is a reminder that every property has a story, and every investor has their own path.

If you’re considering buying, selling, or renting out property in Japan, we’re here to help you navigate each step with confidence.