This Former U.S. Firefighter is Buying a Vacation Home in Japan

[@matthewarine1231]

Great video! Just a suggestion, but it'll be cool to showcase some quick highlights of the area - for example, the shopping, sightseeing spots, places for kids, hiking, fishing, or any other attractions in Chiba that might entice someone to want to look into the area more. I think most people who frequent Japan know about Tokyo and Yokohama, but Chiba is pretty foreign territory.

[@shanesommerville7717]

You could just google that

[@shumatsuopost]

Thanks for the suggestion! Will keep that in mind.

[@Nttmf]

I really hope it works out for him and his wife, they’ve obviously worked hard and deserve a nice house in Japan. I’ve been to Japan once and loved it!

[@Res_me_plz]

3rd home is something I'd love to own. I don't know why, but I am a sucker for homes you can hop out to and see the view from the balcony.

[@nrmnnk4057]

this is a great idea for a retired american with some japanese roots. but for me, I live a house with stairs, and am getting older every day. If I were to relocate anywhere, my new house will not have stairs, So although all these properties look great, I would continue to look for someplace without a stairwell.

[@bobbyclemente21]

There are some, the closer you are to a big city the more likely there is going to be a staircase.

[@jcowboy53]

I’m 71 in December and my wife is a little younger. I retired April 1st. We both have knee and back issues. At first she was planning to buy a new home. However, stairs are a problem. A one floor home wouldn’t give us enough space, so she decided to buy a 30 year old condo. The renovations were finished in February and we moved in. We live in Aichi. We’re on the 5th floor (of eight) with an elevator and quite happy. A 4 LDK, in an end unit with 3 balconies. I think a condo is a good option.

[@rhymeister]

@@jcowboy53 Probably a good option for seniors, but people need to be aware of the maintenance and the repair reserve fees. And also factor the portion of land they will own...if worst-case scenario as that's the most value one will have in a condo unless it's outside of a big city then not much value at all in that land.

[@joelwycoco1791]

I can't wait for the part 2of your vlog ❤

[@gregh7457]

For calculating capital gains taxes if you ever sell the house in japan you bought with dollars, you should keep the transaction records of the wire transfer that has the exchange rate you got. This helps calculate the cost basis for the irs

[@peekay4]

For the most part houses in Japan depreciate instead of appreciate -- due to population decline, etc. -- so likely there wont be any capital gains. (It's a big reason why there a lot of inexpensive and/or abandoned houses in Japan). I think many potential investors coming from elsewhere are surprised by this. The exception would be houses in desirable areas in Tokyo and similar places. But in any case recording the actual exchange rate is still a great idea.

[@yadailiu604]

If someone wants to learn Japanese, besides being there also you could watch Japanese shows at home, that’s what I do, it really works for me… my mom has a house in Tokyo, the stairs are very steep too. The house is about 10 minutes away from the subway station. I am sure you will get the house and enjoy it.

[@dwaynefong]

Daren the best of luck to you and your wife. I hope 1 day my wife and I can do the same.

[@sxelxe1961]

Loved the last two, I'm one of those people that likes white walls and I like the black accents❤

[@windwardsidehawaii]

That guy derrek sounds like he is from honolulu, hawaii, nice house seriously!!!

[@bigchucksostrichfarm]

I like the garden of the second house, I would request to keep it if I were the buyer.

[@shumatsuopost]

Good choice!

[@tonyapps491]

Thanks for sharing!

[@shumatsuopost]

You're welcome!

[@georgequek7996]

Thanks for your great videos Shu and the houses are pretty cheap and nice in Japan.👍🙏

[@shumatsuopost]

I agree! The houses are amazing.

[@braddenham7053]

Good episode Shu, nice houses, hope you do a sequel.

[@shumatsuopost]

Appreciate it!

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

Brave move to speak English! Immersion method! ❤❤❤❤

[@gmango]

Awesome, looking forward to one day sooner than expected to star in one of your episodes LOL. keep up the good work

[@shumatsuopost]

Can't wait!

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

That’s an awesome house! 🏠

[@shortandcut]

Love this episode, the way you ask questions sharing both of your story

[@shumatsuopost]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@rj-my7zp]

THE STAIRS is a + + + EXERCISE , my neighbor walks up N down her driveway every day...love ur heart

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

This is a cool remodel!

[@StigZeroOne]

Nice video, I almost bought a house like Darren, but ending up buy a mansion in Shibuya, lol...I need total convenience!...

[@ChelizAsa]

love all the house's that you featured..goodluck to darren...watching from Manila, The Philippines 🇵🇭

[@shumatsuopost]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulready8897]

I liked the last house the best, except no bathroom in the second floor. I would take the wall down between the 2 small rooms to make one large room. Seems the last house had some character, more than the other two that looked very plain.

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

I went to Humboldt State! Behind the redwood curtain! 😅

[@AnthonyJames7]

This firefighter’s new mission: making sure the only thing that burns in Japan is his love for the culture!

[@iSnakie]

Wow what a great video! I'm in San Diego now, we were looking at Torrance haha. I'd love to do what Daren is doing!

[@shumatsuopost]

It's a great feeling to find your perfect place!

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

I liked the white and blue one! ☝️

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

I like the house with the balcony! 😅

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

I like the remodel house ! 🏠 😅

[@epicenter5126]

I love Japan. Hope to live in Osaka some day.

[@catoftruth1044]

i wonder if theres hidden costs aside from the price you show? like from the tax etc.

[@perrywoodman7544]

I could see this turning into an international television show " Moving to Japan" or "Buying in Japan" . Have cultural bits and sites of the areas dropped. Great content. Ill hold a camera for you if you need?

[@hellobenny]

I want to buy property in Japan, but how do I pay my bills and get a bank account if I don't get permanent residency?

[@emilianogabriel9613]

We’re thinking about moving to Japan from las Vegas we’re both retired one of our friends tell story about their vacation everything it’s so cheap and the no. Is safe to live there

[@uluzone]

Oh my 😳 Am I the only one that saw the Obake leave the room on the second house?? Doors don’t close and then open with force by themselves….

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

Where’s the local bar-be-cue ! 😅

[@mariliamarquessalas6370]

I have lived in Japan for almost a decade. I lived in Kannai Yokohama and then after meeting my husband moved to Yokosuka, Zushi and Okinawa. I have traveled to many places in Japan and even teach cooking lesson while living in Zushi. I have many Japanese friends and Most of my best memories were made in Japan. I being in the US for the past 7 years and I’m really considering after seeing this videos of Japanese Akiya to buy a property in Japan. 😊 I just need to convince my husband now, and find the right house for the right price.

[@sivasankar5010]

Great video, Can Australians buy a house in Japan? What is the process and how to find a local realestate agent to go through the loops please

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

That is awesome to move ahead on a property! Esp with cash! 💵

[@Smile2camera]

Tell me about that Green light. Never cross any hoops of life without that 🚨.

[@shanat7]

Which renovation house did he pick?

[@36handy]

Great show. Odd that some man would say 'big boy job.' Yikes.

[@Kihei_Ukulele]

He has a skeptical face the entire time 😂

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

I need to learn Japanese! 😅❤❤❤❤

[@theplanner3969]

Nice video and informative just curious can avail a resident visa if you buy a house and lot in Japan I thought foreigners not allowed to buy properties especially included land unless you are a permanent residence in Japan

[@mtwhatley3253]

Great content as always. Shu do you have a patreon? I would think a lot of people would want a deeper dive into your business and have direct access to questions and maybe inside info?

[@shumatsuopost]

Not yet but maybe one day. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@antoniettagalati2530]

It appears to be easy to invest in the Japanese housing market. I would buy but what worries me is the maintaining of the property. Someone else but me ( I live in Ontario Canada) would have to answer in casa repairs are needed , collect the rent , find renters … Who would do that and how expensive is it? How hard is it to find someone to rent the place and how much can you make at the end? I have so many questions

[@johnpiroz7075]

I live in Japan for 35 years. I have one suggestion for you, do not buy these houses as an investment, buy it if you have extra cash sitting aside and you will never need it.

[@Mwoods2272]

Once you buy a house in Japan, it's start depreciating and you will probably have a hard time selling it when you want to get rid of it.

[@falusitablet8747]

You don't purchase homes in Japan to make money. You buy cheap, they stay cheap, no flipping, air B&B's don't allow everyday use, some places only allow for guests on fri/sat. Rent is very cheap in most cities except Tokyo, so you're not going into this for an investment, especially as a foreigner. The current developer is likely the only party to have made any money, they buy abandoned properties for under 10k get gov't grants for upgrading, sell to the highest bidding Foreigner who gets still a cheap price when comparing to their current country's housing market, but considering the Japanese market you pay through the nose. Good luck trying to sell again for what you paid. That property will depreciate faster than a new cars journey off the lot. Do your homework. There's a lot more to learn about this culture, so different than the corporate North American. We're from Calgary, looking at Hiroshima. Good luck to you, hope you get what you need, Japan is a beautiful country.

[@chithanhphung7302]

100K USD dollar can only buy you a parking garage in some cities of California. Thanks for sharing these videos.

[@somefo0]

I find it interesting that toilets are by itself. That begs the question of how to wash ones' hands after the deed.

[@zepeterinma]

Hands don’t touch the nether regions with those toilets because of remote controlled bidet streams

[@enocooking123]

Hi. I'm looking to retire and live there in Japan. But half the size of houses you showed today. Those houses were way to big for me... Myself only. Wonder if such a house... Lower cost exists? Perhaps you can take me on tour of akiya... Thanx. Ken

[@shumatsuopost]

You can fill out one of these forms so I can help you: Akiya Income Generator (for rental properties): forms.gle/7ySUCdpiLVy9mHoy9 Japan Akiya Assist (for vacation homes): forms.gle/1A7FHHJxqHfuuUjh7

[@DaveLeedL118]

The blue house

[@Kihei_Ukulele]

I figure you should find houses in winter in Japan 😂 the second home will have bedroom that’s only one wall in between the cold snow yard😂

[@shumatsuopost]

That’s a good point!

[@bobbyclemente21]

Nikkei, right? Daren's got some muscular calves from being a fireman, hah hah. Stairs almost always like that in 2F kodate in Japan and the steps tend to be too short for western feet and young Japanese who are a lot taller these days. Shu is tall also! Second and third house are not bad at all. He's paying cash so I wouldn't have submitted asking price personally.

[@Vyes]

When making an offer do places normally sell for the asking price? Is it like buying a car where you should always try to make an offer lower than the advertised price?

[@johnanderson8123]

Do they have dual citizenship, or is there an easy to get residency visa? Did they pay in USD, or did they have to open a Japanese bank account?

[@luckybiby8968]

Once these investors understand the inheritance tax and how the Japanese tax office assess the property value to tax their heirs, they'll give up their houses like all the Japanese citizens, large amount of Akiya houses existed for a reason.

[@yamajules1397]

By renovation do you mean redecoration?

[@mrbHanoi]

Better to buy big land with a shack Destoy it 98% and rebuild with an elevator and better insulation Rehab budget 80 to 90% Diificult forvsone, but I have a 800 plus credit score and have borrowed over 50 million since 2002 and dont need a Japanese bank or finance company.

[@mindcache5650]

A firefighter : ‘ the stairs are too steep’

[@AfricanUSA-th9ov]

Yes. Did You See How He Is Already Walking? Running Firefighter For All The Years Of His Services Have Taken A Toll On HIs Legs 🦵🏾 🦵🏾 I Cannot See Him Going Up And Down That Stairs Every Day Inside That House.

[@mariyork]

@@AfricanUSA-th9ov Exactly! I am a retired FF/EMT too and my coworkers all have issues with knees or backs.

[@DoinStuff4Life]

The Yen will never go to 200 yen per US dollar. it's going to drop to 140 and stay there for a while and we may see it dip up to 150 but that won't be until next year, after the US election.

[@MilkTeaASMR]

How do you know this? I’m very much interested in this inside info and I appreciate it 😊

[@DoinStuff4Life]

@@MilkTeaASMR I watch the forex report and BOJ reports every day beacuse I work with companies in Japan and pay for inventory daily. The Bank of Japan has no interest right now raising interest rates on the Yen, they are taking a wait and see approach which is the norm for the BOJ. If the Yen starts to weaken again and if inflation starts to creep up again they will raise interest rates which will lower the value of the US dollar against the Yen. Right now, the Yen to US Dollar ratio is 144 yen for every 1 US dollar. It's 160 yen for every UK Pound. The only way the dollar will gain strength and the Yen goes to 200 yen per US dollar is if 1. If Japanese investors move large amounts of capital abroad, seeking better returns due to low domestic interest rates, it could lead to a weaker yen, 2. the U.S. economy remains strong while Japan's struggles, investors might flock to the dollar, further weakening the yen. (unlikely) 3. A major economic downturn, such as a deep recession or financial crisis, could erode investor confidence in the yen, causing it to weaken significantly (also unlikely) 4. a combination of U.S. economic strength and significant issues in Japan, such as a severe recession, aggressive monetary easing by the Bank of Japan, or a financial crisis. The BOJ has already said they are raising rates again most likely before Dec, so if anything, the US dollar is going to get weaker against the Yen, not stronger.

[@mikenakagawa2664]

​@MilkTeaASMR most of the currency value is driven by the Bank of Japan's policies. And the BOJ is following domestic policy decisions. The domestic policy decisions are based on the trends within the country. And what are the underlying trends in the country? Low birth rates, export driven economy, low consumer spending, demographic shift to support a greater number of non workers who still vote. There are other issues, but if you look at the news, these topics come up over and over.

[@shin90505]

Please Be Prepared for Natural Disasters If you live in Japan. You WILL experience HUGE Quake , Typhoon , Flood etc , anywhere in Japan. I would suggest buy house with reinforced concrete and avoid wooden House. Portable Battery charger , bottle of water , canned food are must have in your house . P:lease be safe !!!

[@anitap2286]

i wish to do the same some day in the near future, if my husband gave me the green light 🌹

[@shumatsuopost]

It’s a great goal!

[@KhorzooKhan-v7j]

How people usually get a long term visa to actually live in their property in Japan? Is there a good solution for that? It is a major issue in my view!

[@rhenasitompul7971]

I want to buy house too in Japan❤ any advice ?. I dont know if foreighner can buy house in japan

[@mikag6365]

From my neighborhood and a dodgers fan!! Let's be friends! Lol

[@yamajules1397]

You want to get this guy an unrenovated house before the greedy agents take their massive cut and then get a real bunch of LOCAL renovators to do the job and save him 50K. These places they didn’t even put in double glazing and fitted a cheap kitchen and unit bathroom. But the thing is to get in and buy before some cowboys do their “renovation” which means cheapest job for maximum price.

[@gman_78]

So any American can buy property in Japan? or do you have to have Japanese background?

[@rotaks1]

any updates?

[@dynastyhung6840]

Is that Benjamin Guild? Wait I think it's Spencer Parker.

[@jobturkey7418]

Homie got that pension is why

[@lillygirl7238]

Are locals okay with foreigners buying up properties in their area? Where I live, we have many people from the continent buying up property on our island which drives up prices for our grandkids. Just wondering.

[@z97482]

People tend to be pretty anti immigrant wherever you go. Poor immigrant, rich immigrant, it doesn't really seem to matter. Some degree of cultural assimilation seems to be important for mutual respect, so I'd imagine it would be the same in Japan. If you adhere to the customs, I'd expect your neighbors to at least tolerate you if not befriend you.

[@wendyon4517]

Prices in Japan don't go up on used homes. People are happy when a vacant house becomes occupied rather than become an eyesore... as long as the new residents aren't noisy or disrupt local harmony. I don't think they mind if they are foreign. The house across the street from mine was empty for a short time after the elderly owners passed away. It was a large rural piece of land. I could have had a vacant home across the street with weeds up to the roof. Luckily their children sold it to a real estate/builder and now 6 new homes are there.

[@AfricanUSA-th9ov]

Let The Locals Buy All The Properties In Their Neighborhood If They Are Not OK.

[@DidiGaga-hm4du]

Sweet house

[@usuario-dc8bb]

bro got to get permission from the misses

[@AfricanUSA-th9ov]

Good Man. A Culture Man. How It Should Be.

[@notsure5955]

👎