Can a foreigner buy property in Japan?

Foreigners may buy on much the same terms as citizens

Japan places no nationality limit on buying property. Foreigners can own land and buildings on the same legal terms as Japanese people, with a reporting rule and a newer law on land near sensitive sites.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Rules change. This page describes the structure of the rule, not prices, taxes or quotas. Confirm the current position with the official source listed below, and with a lawyer in the country, before you pay anything. This is general information, not legal advice.

Land

Foreigners may own land. Japan has a system of registering ownership, and a buyer is expected to report certain purchases.

Houses and flats

Houses and apartments can be bought on the same terms as by Japanese nationals.

Buying through a company

A foreign company may hold property in Japan.

Limits and closed zones

A law passed in 2022 lets the government review and restrict use of land near defence facilities, borders and other sensitive sites, whoever the owner is.

What to watch for

A buyer without residence in Japan may find it harder to get a mortgage. Check how the sale is registered and who handles tax matters.

Understand the legal system first

Japan belongs to the Civil law family. Property is registered and transferred differently in different traditions, so it helps to know how the system works.

Read the Japan legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
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Official sources

Japanese Law Translation: e-Gov

TheLawToKnow Tools’s guide to foreign property ownership is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the official source or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.