# This Los Angeles Couple Bought a Mansion Between Tokyo and Mt. Fuji

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhqS37DWiPk
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/XhqS37DWiPk
Generated: 2025-11-11T02:09:56.085+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The Los Angeles couple, Thomas and Tracy, purchased a spacious 6LDK vacation home in Minamiashigara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, for \u00a525 million (approx. $170,000), a price point significantly lower than comparable properties near Los Angeles, enabling them to secure a large, move-in-ready property that fulfills their desire to be close to both the ocean and Tokyo.

**Key Points:**
- The buyers, Thomas and Tracy from Pasadena, California (near LA), purchased a 6LDK vacation home in Minamiashigara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
- The purchase price was \u00a525 million, equivalent to approximately $170,000, which they noted is very affordable compared to US real estate prices.
- The property has a living space of 176 sqm (1900 sqft) on a 278 sqm (3000 sqft) lot.
- Minamiashigara is located about 90 minutes by driving from Tokyo Station and is near popular tourist areas like Hakone and Atami (known for onsens).
- The house was built in 2006 but was renovated in 2022, making it move-in ready without needing immediate work.
- The buyers plan to use it as a base to travel around Japan, especially visiting friends in Hokkaido during the winter.
- The entire buying process in Japan, facilitated by AikiyaHub, was completed quickly, within three months, which was much faster than their experience in the US.

![Screenshot at 0:28: Thomas and Tracy posing in front of their newly purchased, multi-story home built into a hillside, marked with a 'SOLD' overlay, confirming the successful transaction.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-00-28.png)

**Context:** The video features an interview with Thomas and Tracy, a couple from Pasadena, California, who recently purchased a vacation home in Japan. The interview takes place inside their new, empty home in Minamiashigara, Kanagawa Prefecture. The host, Shu Matsuo (Co-Founder of AikiyaHub), guides the tour and discusses the specific location, price, features of the house, and the buyers' motivations for choosing Japan over buying in the US.

## Detailed Analysis

The video documents the successful purchase of a vacation home in Minamiashigara, Kanagawa Prefecture, by Thomas and Tracy from Pasadena, California. The property is described as massive by US standards, featuring 6LDK (six rooms plus living/dining/kitchen area), 176 sqm of living space, and a 3000 sqft lot. The buyers paid \u00a525 million (approximately $170,000), noting this is extremely affordable compared to California, where similar budgets might only secure a fraction of the property (like half a garage). The house was built in 2006 but was renovated in 2022 and was move-in ready. The location is strategic: 90 minutes from Tokyo Station, close to coastal areas like Shonan Beach, and near the popular onsen destinations of Hakone and Atami. The buyers plan to use it as a home base for exploring Japan, including a future trip to Hokkaido for the Ice Festival. They highlighted that the purchase process in Japan, assisted by Shu Matsuo's AikiyaHub, was exceptionally smooth and fast (under three months) compared to the complex, paper-heavy process they experienced buying real estate in the US. The buyers expressed immense satisfaction with the size, location, and affordability, calling it the 'best of both worlds.'

### Property Location & Commute

- Minamiashigara, Kanagawa Prefecture
- 90 minutes from Tokyo Station by train/car
- Close proximity (30-40 min drive) to Shonan Beach and near Hakone/Atami (onsen areas)

### Property Details & Features

- 6LDK layout
- Built in 2006, renovated in 2022
- 176 sqm living space / 278 sqm land space
- Features include a subterranean garage and five rooms upstairs, including balconies and a skylight

### Purchase Economics

- Price paid was \u00a525 million (approx. $170,000)
- Buyers felt this was an incredible value compared to US prices (where $170k buys minimal property near LA)
- Property is move-in ready with no immediate work required

### Buying Experience & Motivation

- Buyers are from Pasadena, CA, and wanted a Japanese home base for retirement travel
- They were referred through a friend of a friend to AikiyaHub
- The entire process took less than three months, much faster than the US system

### Buyer Testimonial

- Buyers expressed extreme happiness, noting the process was smooth and they trusted the agent completely
- They plan to visit Hokkaido in the winter to see the Ice Festival

![Screenshot at 0:01: Host introducing the topic by asking the cost of a spacious house 90 minutes outside of Tokyo.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-00-01.png)
![Screenshot at 0:10: Visual comparison graphic showing Minamiashigara's proximity to Tokyo Station \(90 minutes\) and Shonan Beach \(30-40 minutes by car\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-00-10.png)
![Screenshot at 0:56: Thomas and Tracy standing outside their newly acquired house, built into a retaining wall on a sloping street.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-00-56.png)
![Screenshot at 1:35: Inside the home, showcasing the tatami room with sliding shoji doors, illustrating traditional Japanese elements.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-01-35.png)
![Screenshot at 2:22: View of the living area featuring high ceilings, hardwood floors, and an open kitchen counter dividing the space.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-02-22.png)
![Screenshot at 3:38: View from the upper balcony showcasing the surrounding neighborhood, a prominent communication tower, and distant mountains, highlighting the scenic view.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-03-38.png)
![Screenshot at 4:53: Thomas and Tracy smiling together by the window, concluding their initial positive remarks about the house.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-04-53.png)
![Screenshot at 6:45: Map highlighting Minamiashigara's location inland from coastal tourist spots like Odawara, Hakone, and Atami.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-06-45.png)
![Screenshot at 8:29: The three individuals sitting on the floor for an in-depth interview regarding their journey and motivations.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-08-29.png)
![Screenshot at 13:18: Montage clip of Hokkaido in winter, illustrating the buyers' planned future trip to see the Ice Festival.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/XhqS37DWiPk/00-13-18.png)