# Why Buy Near Tokyo When You Live in Hawaii Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90JCMfSXQIA Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/90JCMfSXQIA Generated: 2026-03-08T12:34:19.768+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview A Hawaii-based family purchased a home in Inzai, Chiba, Japan, primarily for long-term retirement living rather than just vacation use, relying heavily on AkiyaHub's remote viewing and comprehensive process steps for navigating the purchase from across the Pacific. **Key Points:** - The family, Stephen and Lisa from Moanalua, Hawaii, bought a house in Inzai, Chiba, Japan, approximately 90 minutes from Tokyo Disney. - They finalized the purchase between December 29 and January 3 (Japan's primary holiday period, Nenmatsu-nenshi), using the AkiyaHub 'Your Journey' program. - The property was built in 1989 and has a land space of 148.82 sqm (1601 sqft) and a living space of 95.22 sqm (1024 sqft). - The buyers were impressed by the clarity of the 5-step process (Search, Inquiry, Due Diligence, Contract, Closing) and the detailed Comprehensive Property Report. - Remote viewing was crucial, as they relied on photos and videos because they did not physically visit the property until after the initial steps, only flying over after the contract was signed. - A key difference noted was the financial aspect; they were shocked that the $88,000 purchase price did not include essential costs like homeowner's insurance or property management fees. - The family attributes their confidence in the process to the honesty of the seller and the guidance provided by AkiyaHub team member Emily, which made the process feel less risky. ![Screenshot at 0:13: Shu Matsuo Post, Co-Founder of AkiyaHub, introduces the story by asking the central question: why a Hawaii family chose to buy a home across the Pacific in Japan.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/90JCMfSXQIA/00-00-13.jpg) **Context:** This video documents the experience of a couple from Hawaii, Stephen and Lisa, who successfully purchased a vacation/retirement home in Inzai, Chiba, Japan, utilizing the services of AkiyaHub, a platform specializing in assisting foreigners with buying Japanese properties remotely. The interview focuses on their motivations for buying in Japan, the specific steps of the AkiyaHub 'Your Journey' program they followed, and the cultural and financial differences they encountered compared to buying property in Hawaii. ## Detailed Analysis The video features an interview with Stephen and Lisa, a couple from Moanalua, Hawaii, who purchased a home in Inzai, Chiba, Japan, approximately 90 minutes from Tokyo Disney. They explain their primary motivation was securing a long-term retirement location, not just a vacation spot, and they navigated the entire process remotely using AkiyaHub's 'Your Journey' program. The property, built in 1989, has a land space of 148.82 sqm and a living space of 95.22 sqm. The buyers greatly appreciated AkiyaHub's structured 5-step process: Search, Inquiry, Due Diligence, Contract, and Closing. They specifically highlighted the comprehensive property report and the ability to conduct remote viewings via photos and videos as key to their confidence, as they did not physically visit the property until after closing. A significant difference they noted was the financial expectation compared to Hawaii; they were shocked that the $88,000 purchase price did not cover costs like homeowner's insurance or property management fees, which they had to budget for separately. They specifically mentioned that the ability to trust the process, guided by AkiyaHub staff like Emily, made the remote purchase feasible, especially since they were accustomed to the different environmental expectations (like the cold Japanese winter versus the warm Hawaiian climate) and the need to purchase futons instead of traditional mattresses. ### Introduction & Motivation - A Hawaii family bought a home in Inzai, Chiba, Japan, for long-term retirement rather than just vacation use - They relied on AkiyaHub's remote process, which was structured in 5 steps: Search, Inquiry, Due Diligence, Contract, Closing. ### Property Details - The house was built in 1989; Land Space is 148.82 sqm (1601 sqft), Living Space is 95.22 sqm (1024 sqft) - The property includes two tatami rooms, a western-style bedroom, a kitchen, and two bathrooms. ### Process Experience - The buyers valued the Comprehensive Property Report and remote viewing capabilities, which provided crucial information without requiring an in-person visit until after the contract was signed - They noted the speed of the money transfer via Wise app was impressive (one day). ### Cultural/Financial Differences - They were surprised that the $88,000 price did not include essential costs like homeowner's insurance or property management fees, which they had to budget for separately - They also noted differences in sleeping arrangements (futons on tatami mats vs. Western mattresses) and adapting to the colder Japanese winter. ### Conclusion & Trust - The process was easy to follow and instilled great trust, especially because of the seller's honesty and AkiyaHub's detailed guidance throughout, which confirmed they had found the right place. ![Screenshot at 0:05: Map showing the home's location in Inzai, within Chiba Prefecture, Japan, contrasted with Hawaii.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/90JCMfSXQIA/00-00-05.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:17: Exterior shot of the purchased two-story home with an integrated ground-level parking space.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/90JCMfSXQIA/00-00-17.jpg) ![Screenshot at 1:06: On-screen graphic outlining the 5-step home buying process used: Search, Inquiry, Due Diligence, Contract, Closing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/90JCMfSXQIA/00-01-06.jpg) ![Screenshot at 10:12: Virtual tour image of Tatami Room #1, highlighting the traditional flooring and shoji screens, with a floor plan inset.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/90JCMfSXQIA/00-10-12.jpg)