# This Foreigner Bought 10 Rental Units in Japan Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_npWbVhh6r8 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/_npWbVhh6r8 Generated: 2025-12-21T12:34:34.75+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Marcus, an American investor from Reno, Nevada, purchased two multifamily properties (a 6-unit building in Fukuoka and a 4-unit building in Kitakyushu) in Japan within three months, achieving yields over 12% (or close to 13%) on the Fukuoka property, which he attributes to finding the deal off-market and leveraging local connections like Matsuo-san for navigating Japanese business and culture, while also growing a separate business importing/exporting vehicles and clothing. **Key Points:** - Marcus, an American investor based in Fukuoka, purchased two multifamily properties in Fukuoka Prefecture: a 6-unit building and a 4-unit building. - The 6-unit property in Fukuoka, built in 1992/1996, was purchased for ¥16 million ($125,000) and yields between 9% and 12-13% (with two vacant units for his office and personal use). - The 4-unit property in Kitakyushu, built in 1994, was purchased for ¥13 million ($90,000) and yields about 7% (with two vacant units he plans to rent out or use for Airbnb/Minpaku). - Marcus is also building a secondary business importing/exporting vehicles (like his 1996 Subaru Sambar 'beep beep') and clothing, which he plans to finance using the real estate income. - The renovation of the first unit involved removing a wall in the kitchen and raising the subfloor over tatami mats to create a solid surface. - The properties are located near a university in Fukuoka (Higashi-ku) and the Kitakyushu property is about an hour's drive from Fukuoka City, close to Kokura Station. - Marcus credits local connections, like Matsuo-san (Co-Founder of AkiyaHub), for helping him navigate Japanese business and culture, which he found difficult due to language barriers. ![Screenshot at 0:02: Marcus standing outside the first property \(a wooden-sided apartment building in Fukuoka\) before meeting the host, highlighting the type of smaller, older residential building he invests in for rental income.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_npWbVhh6r8/00-00-02.jpg) **Context:** The video features an interview between Shu Matsuo, Co-Founder of AkiyaHub, and Marcus, an American investor originally from Reno, Nevada, who has been actively investing in Japanese real estate, specifically 'akiya' (vacant homes) and small multifamily properties outside of major hubs like Tokyo. The interview covers Marcus's investment strategy, the details of his two recent acquisitions in Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, the renovation process he undertook for one unit, and the logistics of running his side businesses in Japan. ## Detailed Analysis The host, Shu Matsuo of AkiyaHub, meets Marcus, an American investor from Reno, Nevada, to discuss his real estate investments in Japan, focusing on two multifamily properties he acquired quickly. The first property visited is a 6-unit building in Fukuoka Prefecture, which Marcus bought for ¥16 million (approx. $125,000) and was built in 1992/1996. This unit is 82 sqm (882 sqft) on a 100 sqm (1076 sqft) land plot. Marcus uses one unit as his office and one as his residence, leaving four units rented out, yielding about 9% currently, but projected to be over 12% if the vacant units are rented (potentially via short-term rental/Airbnb, given the area's commercial zoning). He renovated the unit he lives in, including tearing down kitchen walls and raising the floor over old tatami mats. The second property visited is a 4-unit building in Kitakyushu, purchased for ¥13 million ($90,000), built in 1994. Two downstairs units are rented, and the two upstairs units were vacant, one of which Marcus furnished for his use. The Kitakyushu location is about a 12-15 minute walk to the nearest train station and close to the Yamaguchi Prefecture border. Marcus has also started a side business importing/exporting vehicles (like his 1996 Subaru Sambar) and clothing, using his real estate income as capital. He emphasizes that his success in navigating Japanese business and culture, especially concerning renovations and securing financing, was largely due to the referrals and assistance from Matsuo-san and his team. ### Fukuoka Property (6-Unit) - Purchase Price: ¥16 million / $125,000 - Built: 1992/1996 - Living Space: 82 sqm / 882 sqft - Land Space: 100 sqm / 1076 sqft - Current Yield: ~9% (with 2 vacant units) - Projected Yield: >12% - Location: Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City, near university. ### Kitakyushu Property (4-Unit) - Purchase Price: ¥13 million / $90,000 - Built: 1994 - Tenants: 2 rented downstairs, 2 vacant (one used as office/residence) - Rent per unit: ¥29k - ¥32k per month ($186 - $205) - Location: Kitakyushu, 45-50 min train ride to Hakata Station. ### Renovation Details (Fukuoka Unit) - Removed kitchen wall, raised subfloor over tatami mats, installed new kitchen cabinetry and sink. ### Marcus's Other Business - Importing/exporting vehicles (e.g., 1996 Subaru Sambar) and clothing for sale in the US, financed by real estate income. ### Logistics & Navigation - Marcus relies on Google Translate and local connections like Matsuo-san (AkiyaHub) to manage the language barriers and navigate Japanese business/construction codes. ### Future Plans - Marcus intends to continue reinvesting in real estate, eventually buying larger properties, and sees the current business structure as a good trade-off despite the stress. ### Conclusion - The host expresses excitement for Marcus's continued journey in Japan, emphasizing the inspiration in his proactive approach to business and investment. ![Screenshot at 0:02: Marcus standing outside the first property \(a wooden-sided apartment building in Fukuoka\) before meeting the host, highlighting the type of smaller, older residential building he invests in for rental income.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_npWbVhh6r8/00-00-02.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:30: The Fukuoka 6-unit property exterior, showing the stairs leading to the upper units.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_npWbVhh6r8/00-00-30.jpg) ![Screenshot at 1:36: Side-by-side comparison showing the poor 'BEFORE' condition of one unit's kitchen versus the renovated 'AFTER' state.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_npWbVhh6r8/00-01-36.jpg) ![Screenshot at 7:07: The host and Marcus reviewing documents in the back of the luxury vehicle while traveling between properties.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_npWbVhh6r8/00-07-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 15:44: Marcus and the host standing outside the second \(Kitakyushu\) 4-unit apartment building.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_npWbVhh6r8/00-15-44.jpg)