# This Is Where Foreigners Are Buying in Japan Right Now Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQpfscmlCbk Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/sQpfscmlCbk Generated: 2026-03-01T12:35:08.739+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Foreign buyers are currently showing the most interest in property in Chiba prefecture, followed by Kanagawa and Saitama, driven by the region's accessibility to Tokyo and Narita Airport, as well as the availability of large, affordable rural properties like the four examples reviewed, which range in price from ¥9.9 million to ¥29 million. **Key Points:** - Chiba prefecture leads in property interest among foreigners with 23.08% of total interest, surpassing Kanagawa (12.8%) and Saitama (11.2%). - Property #1 (Matsudo, Chiba) is a 1978-built, 4LDK, two-story home on a 110 sqm lot, listed for ¥13.5 million ($86,000). - Property #2 (Ichihara, Chiba) is a 1984-built, single-story home on a massive 314 sqm lot (84 sqm living space) with a price tag of ¥7.8 million ($49,000), featuring a unique stone bathroom. - Property #3 (Kisarazu, Chiba) is a 2SLDK, two-story house built in 1978, priced at ¥15.8 million ($100,000), notable for its ocean view. - Property #4 (Kimitsu, Chiba) is a sprawling single-story house built in 1986 on a 792 sqm lot, priced at ¥9.9 million ($63,000), featuring traditional tatami rooms and a separate potential laundry/storage area. - Property #5 (Futtsu, Chiba) is a newer (2006), two-story house with a 409 sqm lot, priced at ¥29 million ($185,000), offering significant living space (142 sqm) and ocean views. - The general appeal of Chiba lies in its balance between rural lifestyle, proximity to Tokyo (~1 hour), and easy access to Narita Airport (40-75 minutes). ![Screenshot at 00:04: The bar chart visually confirms that Chiba prefecture garners the highest percentage of total property interest \(23.08%\) from foreign buyers compared to other prefectures like Kanagawa \(12.8%\) and Saitama \(11.2%\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sQpfscmlCbk/00-00-04.jpg) **Context:** The video explores why Chiba prefecture has become a hotspot for foreigners purchasing homes in Japan, contrasting it with other popular prefectures like Kanagawa and Saitama. The presenter tours four distinct properties (plus a fifth one briefly mentioned) located in areas like Matsudo, Ichihara, Kisarazu, and Futtsu, highlighting the physical characteristics, amenities, location advantages (proximity to Tokyo and airports), and acquisition costs of each property to explain the growing trend. ## Detailed Analysis The video concludes that Chiba prefecture is the current primary target for foreign property investment in Japan, accounting for 23.08% of total interest, significantly more than runners-up Kanagawa (12.8%) and Saitama (11.2%). The appeal stems from its balance of rural living, proximity to Tokyo (about 1 hour drive), and excellent access to Narita Airport (40-75 minutes drive). The presenter tours five properties to illustrate this value proposition. Property #1 in Matsudo is a 1978-built 4LDK on a 110 sqm lot for ¥13.5 million ($86,000). Property #2 in Ichihara is a 1984-built, single-story house on a huge 314 sqm lot for only ¥7.8 million ($49,000), featuring a unique stone-lined bathroom. Property #3 in Kisarazu is a 1978-built, two-story house priced at ¥15.8 million ($100,000) with ocean views. Property #4 in Kimitsu is a large, traditional single-story house built in 1986 with 792 sqm of land, priced at ¥9.9 million ($63,000). Property #5 in Futtsu is the newest (2006) and most expensive at ¥29 million ($185,000) but offers the largest living space (142 sqm) and stunning ocean views from its upper floor. ### Property #1 (Matsudo) - Built in 1978 - Layout 4LDK (4 rooms, living, dining, kitchen) - Land 110 sqm, Living 84 sqm - Price ¥13.5 million ($86,000) - Features include tatami rooms, renovated kitchen (2025), and a small garden. ### Property #2 (Ichihara) - Built in 1984 - Land 314 sqm, Living 79 sqm - Price ¥7.8 million ($49,000) - Features include a traditional exterior, an older bathroom with stone walls, and a separate utility/laundry area. ### Property #3 (Kisarazu) - Built in 1978 - Layout 5LDK - Land 212 sqm, Living 142 sqm - Price ¥15.8 million ($100,000) - Notable for excellent ocean views from the second floor balcony. ### Property #4 (Kimitsu) - Built in 1986 - Single-story traditional style - Land 792 sqm, Living 132 sqm - Price ¥9.9 million ($63,000) - Features multiple tatami rooms, a small built-in altar/shrine area, and a separate storage room. ### Property #5 (Futtsu) - Built in 2006 - Layout 2SLDK - Land 409 sqm, Living 84 sqm - Price ¥29 million ($185,000) - Modern two-story home with exceptional sea views, balcony, and large windows. ### Location Advantages - Kimitsu is ~45 mins from Haneda Airport and ~1.x hours from Tokyo; Kisarazu is ~30 mins from Haneda; Takeoka is ~30 mins from Kisarazu. ![Screenshot at 00:04: Bar chart displaying 'Top Property Interest by Prefecture' showing Chiba leading significantly.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sQpfscmlCbk/00-00-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:33: Interior shot of Property #1 entrance hallway, featuring wood paneling and stairs, with 'BUILT IN: 1978' and 'RENOVATED: 2025' overlays.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sQpfscmlCbk/00-00-33.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:27: Map highlighting the location of Ichihara within Chiba prefecture, showing proximity to Tokyo and Kisarazu.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sQpfscmlCbk/00-04-27.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:58: Exterior shot of Property #2, a single-story traditional home on a large, dry lot, with land/living space statistics displayed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sQpfscmlCbk/00-04-58.jpg) ![Screenshot at 13:13: Statistics overlay for Property #3 showing Land Space \(212 sqm / 2281 sqft\) and Living Space \(142 sqm / 1528 sqft\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sQpfscmlCbk/00-13-13.jpg)