Sam Hanada, half Japanese and half Kiwi, moved to Japan through the JET Program and spent three years working inside a Japanese city hall before a short, eye-opening stint at a "black kigyo" (exploitative company) sent him looking for something better. Now working with the team on consultations and leading the new Mocha Moko Ambassador affiliate program, Sam shares what daily life in a small Chiba town is really like, how he built deep community ties through a 300-year-old local festival, and practical advice for anyone navigating Japanese bureaucracy or job hunting from scratch.

Key Takeaways

 * The JET Program has three distinct tracks (ALT, SEA, CIR) with very different Japanese-language requirements and levels of support 
 * "Black kigyo" red flags include vague job descriptions, personal bank accounts used for company funds, and "we're a family" language during interviews
 * Making an effort to integrate is reciprocated in rural Japan — the "unwelcoming countryside" stereotype didn't match Sam's real experience
 * City hall work in Japan deliberately rotates employees between departments every few years to keep them generalists rather than specialists
 * Joining a local matsuri (festival) turned out to be one of the most effective ways to build genuine community connections and even led to freelance work

In This Episode

 * Sam's path to Japan: growing up half Japanese in New Zealand, learning the language later in life, and choosing the CIR (Coordinator for International Relations) track of JET
 * What it's actually like working inside a small-town city hall, including the daily "chorei" morning meeting and generational mix of coworkers
 * The population decline reshaping small Japanese towns, and how municipalities merge to preserve city status
 * The full story of the "black kigyo" company Sam quit after one week, and the specific red flags to watch for when job hunting in Japan
 * How Japanese overtime contracts (zangyo) actually work and why "family culture" language in interviews deserves scrutiny
 * Practical tips for visiting a Japanese city hall: what to bring, the best time of day to go, and how to prepare paperwork in advance
 * How Sam got pulled into his town's 300-year-old dashi (float) festival through a work connection, and why it became a turning point for his sense of belonging
 * Sam's current role running the Mocha Moko Ambassador affiliate program and doing consultations for people navigating countryside Japan

Resources Mentioned

 * Book a consultation and you may be paired directly with Sam for guidance on countryside living
 * Learn more about the Mocha Moko Ambassador affiliate program
 * Browse listings on the show's English-friendly property search site
 * Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok for property tips and renovation updates

Enjoyed This Episode?

Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a five-star rating — it takes five seconds and really helps the show grow. Have a question about moving to Japan? Send it our way.

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop it in the comments or send us an email using the contact info in this description. You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok for property tips and updates. 

🏠 Browse 500,000+ English-friendly listings at https://www.akiya-mart.com/
📧 Questions? Email us at contact@akiya-mart.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for properties, tips, and renovation updates

What City Hall in Japan Is Really Like (From Someone Who Worked There)

Erik, a repeat guest and veteran of the Akiya-buying process, joins the hosts for a July 4th cookout to talk about how he ended up owning four homes in the same small Niigata village. A remodel company owner from Minnesota, Erik shares how he uses his construction background to renovate traditional Japanese homes, why staying in one community unlocks off-market deals, and how gardening and rice-paddy planting have become his fastest path to real integration.

Key Takeaways

 * Off-market deals happen when you're embedded in a community, not when you're cold-emailing sellers from afar.
 * Owning multiple homes in the same small area (versus spreading across the country) lets you actually maintain and care for each property.
 * Traditional roofing styles (clay tile vs. thatch vs. metal) vary by region and climate, and understanding them helps with renovation decisions.
 * Gardening and helping neighbors with rice planting are among the fastest ways to build real relationships in a rural Japanese community.
 * "Anti-foreigner sentiment" headlines don't mathc the on-the-ground experience in most rural areas. Neighbors are often grateful when someone renovates an abandoned home.

In This Episode

 * Erik's background running a remodel company in Minnesota and how it translates to Japanese home renovation.
 * The story behind his fourth home purchase... A literal walk across the street!
 * Differences between clay tile, thatched, and metal roofing across Japanese regions.
 * Why buying multiple properties in one small area beats spreading purchases across the country.
 * How Erik's plans for a "cultural exchange" stay experience are taking shape, including QR-code guided local activities.
 * A local pizza spot with a Michelin Guide nod and a surprisingly innocent backstory behind its name.
 * Why Niigata deserves more attention: fermentation and miso history, blacksmithing, sake, surfing, and skiing.
 * Erik's first season of vegetable gardening — what worked (basil, potatoes, herbs), what didn't, and how ChatGPT became an unlikely farming advisor.
 * What it's really like to help plant rice with a neighbor's family, and why "planting hell" is a more accurate description than "peaceful hobby".
 * Postwar farmland-size restrictions in Japan and how they shaped today's small-scale farming culture.
 * Practical tips for anyone considering a garden plot after buying a home in the Japanese countryside.

Resources Mentioned

 * Book a consultation with the team to start your own Japan home-buying journey
 * Browse listings on the show's English-friendly property search site
 * Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok for property tips and renovation updates

Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Drop it in the comments or send us an email using the contact info in this description. You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok for property tips and updates.  

🏠 Browse 500,000+ English-friendly listings at https://www.akiya-mart.com/
📧 Questions? Email us at contact@akiya-mart.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for properties, tips, and renovation updates

Off-Market Akiya Deals: How Erik Found 4 Homes in Niigata | Ep 141

It's been two years since Take and Joey bought their akiya in Tama, and this episode is a full walkthrough of everything that's changed. From a brand new cold plunge to an unexpected termite discovery under the floor, the guys break down every upgrade, what it cost, and what they'd do differently.

What You'll Learn

 * How they threw their first big party at the property, including neighbor etiquette and gift giving norms in Japan.
 * Why they installed a cold plunge before a sauna, and what it actually cost compared to buying one in the US.
 * The e-bike upgrade that changed how they get around their rural Tokyo neighborhood.
 * New rules around e-bike helmets and sidewalk riding that could affect your permanent residency application.
 * Why they finally found termites in the house and what the treatment process looks like in Japan.
 * Their plan for insulation and double-glazed windows, including expected costs and government subsidies.
 * A practical trash storage tip every akiya owner needs to keep the crows out.
 * How meal delivery services have changed their eating habits on renovation trips.

Key Takeaways

Renovating a house in Japan is a slow, ongoing process. Take and Joey talk honestly about what it took to move from "camping in an empty house" to a place that feels finished, and why rushing the process usually backfires. They also share real numbers on cold plunge installation, insulation costs, and termite treatment, so you know what to budget for if you're considering a similar property.

Resources Mentioned

 * Their real estate listing site for browsing Japanese homes
 * Clean Keeper outdoor storage container (trash solution)
 * Panasonic e-bikes (used market)

Connect With Us

Have questions about buying a house in Japan? Send an email to the address in our show description, or find us on Instagram and TikTok for property tips, home buying updates, and behind the scenes renovation content. If this episode was helpful, leave us a five star rating. It takes five seconds and helps other people find the show.

🏠 Browse 500,000+ English-friendly listings at https://www.akiya-mart.com/
📧 Questions? Email us at contact@akiya-mart.com
📸 Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for properties, tips, and renovation updates

Two Years Owning in Japan: Tama Base Camp Update | Ep 140

A Hawaii family buys an oceanfront home in Japan for $16,000 and it has a surf break out front, a bike path, and ski resorts 40 minutes away. This is how they did it.

In this episode, host Take Kurosawa sits down with Chris Rose, a former Army veteran, longtime Hawaii resident, and Buying a House in Japan direct program customer, at the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden on Oahu's east side. Chris shares his full journey: from falling down the Instagram rabbit hole of cheap Japanese homes to closing on a stunning two-story oceanfront property in Itoigawa, Niigata for just ¥2.5 million (~$16,000 USD).

What You'll Learn

 * How Chris went from browsing Instagram to owning an oceanfront home in Japan in under two months
 * The one filter trick on the Buying a House in Japan website that helped him find the perfect property the day it was listed
 * Why he passed on a more popular (and pricier) Myoko ski town property
 * The "checklist method" Chris used to evaluate every listing, and the boxes his Itoigawa home checked that nothing else did
 * What it's really like to arrive at your new Japanese home in February with snow on the beach
 * How they set up the house before arriving: Amazon JP deliveries, heaters staged by their coordinator Eric, and a professional deep clean
 * Tips for meeting your Japanese neighbors the right way (hint: bring macadamia nut chocolates from Hawaii)
 * How Chris's son Luke practiced with a Japanese water polo team, including a former Olympian coach, during their trip
 * Why Chris recommends buying in Japan for the right reasons, not just because it's cheap
 * The logistics of getting from Honolulu to a small coastal town in Niigata, and how they're still refining their travel system

About Chris Rose

Chris Rose is a former U.S. Army veteran and 25-year Hawaii resident who spent two years living in Okinawa while working a government position at Pearl Harbor. A surfer, skier, and homeschooling dad of three, Chris purchased his Japan vacation home through the Buying a House in Japan direct program in late 2025. His property is located in Itoigawa, Niigata; oceanfront, with a 20-mile coastal bike path behind it, a surf break out front, and ski resorts 40 minutes away.

Resources & Links Mentioned

 * Buying a House in Japan website: browse 500,000+ English-friendly listings at https://www.akiya-mart.com/
 * Amazon Japan (amazon.co.jp): for pre-arrival furniture and bedding delivery
 * Hard Off / Book Off: secondhand shops in Japan for gear, surfboards, and more
 * Myoko, Niigata: popular ski town and nearby reference point
 * Joetsu City: the nearest major city to Chris's property, with Shinkansen access
 * Toyama: alternative arrival city with a Costco, ~2 hours from Itoigawa

Key Takeaways

 * Set your search filters to "listed within the last day" and check daily, the best properties go fast
 * Write a personal letter with your offer explaining who you are and how you'll use the home as it matters to sellers
 * Budget for a deep professional clean ($500–$1,000) before your first stay, which is worth every yen
 * Bring gifts for neighbors immediately; macadamia nut chocolates from Hawaii were a hit
 * Hawaii residents have a geographic advantage; you're already halfway to Japan

Subscribe & Leave a Review

If this episode helped or inspired you, please leave us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, which takes five seconds and makes a huge difference. Share this episode with anyone who's been dreaming about buying in Japan.

Why This Hawaii Family Bought a Second Home in Japan 

This week Take is running solo, joined again by Ryan, head of Japan operations for AkiyaMart and a certified financial planner to walk through how Japanese inheritance tax could apply to foreign-owned property. It's an important but sometimes overlooked conversation when it comes to buying foreign real estate and this conversation can be a good starting point as you plan your Japan home purchase.

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com [https://akiya-mart.com/].

First time subscriber? Use promo code V4BABY for $50 off AkiyaMart Pro annual.

Want a free 1:1 consult with Take & Joey, recorded as an episode? Apply: https://0oopfg486ij.typeform.com/to/bTKUZmqy

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/akiyamart] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AkiyaMa]

Questions? Email podcast@akiya-mart.com

Hosts are Take Kurosawa  and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team   is Carlos  Gutierrez, Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.

Handling Inheritance on Your Japanese House ft. Ryan Kubozono

Three years ago we built a tool so we could buy a cheap house in Japan. Then, we started helping other people buy cheap houses in Japan and soon we were helping folks from all over the world buy their dream home in Japan at any price or condition. For a while now, AkiyaMart has become a platform serving a large variety of homebuyers and we're changing our brand to reflect that.

Listen to learn how we got here and what's next for the platform.

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com [https://akiya-mart.com/].

First time subscriber? Use promo code V4BABY for $50 off AkiyaMart Pro annual.

Want a free 1:1 consult with Take & Joey, recorded as an episode? Apply: https://0oopfg486ij.typeform.com/to/bTKUZmqy

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/akiyamart] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AkiyaMa]

Questions? Email podcast@akiya-mart.com

Hosts  are Take Kurosawa  and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team  is Carlos  Gutierrez, Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.

AkiyaMart is Rebranding. Here's Why We're Excited About It.

Buying a house in Japan used to mean combing through sometimes dozens of multiple listings just to get an accurate picture of a property. With AkiyaMart v4, we solved that problem. Let us tell you how we did it.

Unlike in the US, where the MLS aggregates property details into singular cohesive listings, Japan's REINS system operates almost like a series of Craigslist ads. We wanted to simplify the home search process for you, so we built our own way to provide aggregate listings with a real-time price history so that you get the full picture right away.

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com [https://akiya-mart.com/].

First time subscriber? Use promo code V4BABY for $50 off AkiyaMart Pro annual.

Want a free 1:1 consult with Take & Joey, recorded as an episode? Apply: https://0oopfg486ij.typeform.com/to/bTKUZmqy

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/akiyamart] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AkiyaMa]Questions? Email podcast@akiya-mart.com

Hosts are Take Kurosawa  and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team is Carlos  Gutierrez, Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.

Making the Search Process Simpler With AkiyaMart v4

This week, Take and Joey run through the ten most frequently asked questions from AkiyaMart consultation calls. After three years and thousands of consultations, they identified your top questions and hope this episode can help you prep for your Japan home buying journey.

They cover whether foreigners can buy property in Japan, how the buying process actually works end to end, why loans are not available in almost all cases, what Airbnb zoning looks like and where to check eligibility, how property taxes are assessed, what renovation realistically costs, and why reaching out to a seller's agent before working with a buyer's agent can complicate a deal significantly.

Want free 1:1 coaching with Take & Joey, recorded as an episode? Apply: https://0oopfg486ij.typeform.com/to/bTKUZmqy

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/akiyamart] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AkiyaMa]!

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com [https://akiya-mart.com/].

Questions? Email podcast@akiya-mart.com

Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team is Carlos Gutierrez, Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.

Answering Your Top 10 Japan Home Buying Questions

This week, Take and Joey break down what's next for AkiyaMart and why they're repositioning toward a broader Japan real estate platform. The most immediate change is that they've decided to stop using the word "akiya." For foreigners it's shorthand for cheap, abandoned homes in Japan. But for many people in Japan, the word carries real cultural and economic weight. For the team, this business has always been about more than just cheap homes. It's about connecting people to Japan, and this choice reflects that vision.

This episode also covers three weeks on the road through Tama, Otaru, Fukuoka, and Beppu, the AkiyaMart team gathering, and what two and a half years of building a Japan real estate company from scratch actually looks like.

Want free 1:1 coaching with Take & Joey, recorded as an episode? Apply: https://0oopfg486ij.typeform.com/to/bTKUZmqy

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/akiyamart] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AkiyaMa]!

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com [https://akiya-mart.com/].

Questions? Email podcast@akiya-mart.com

Hosts are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team is Carlos Gutierrez, Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.

What's Next for AkiyaMart + Spring 2026 Recap

Can a foreign family actually build a life in suburban Japan? Linda moved from Europe to western Tokyo with no Japanese, no prior visit, and a toddler. Ten years later, her daughter is fluent, she knows the whole neighborhood, and they can't imagine leaving.

This episode covers moving to Japan with kids, international schools vs. the Japanese public school track, raising a multilingual child in Japan, and what daily life looks like for a foreign family outside central Tokyo.

Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/akiyamart] and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AkiyaMa]!

Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com [https://akiya-mart.com/].

Questions? Email podcast@akiya-mart.com

Hosts  are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team  is Carlos Gutierrez, Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.

Linda's Journey from Europe to Western Tokyo

We’re Joey & Take - two friends who dreamed of owning a cheap home in Japan. So we bought one...and then five more!

Dreaming of owning property in Japan? We cover everything you need to know and more. Highlights include:

 * Pros and cons of purchasing in Japan
 * The complexities of Japan’s real estate market
 * Challenges for foreign buyers
 * Interviews with locals, expats, and experts
 * All the mistakes we’ve made (so you can avoid them!)

Find your Japanese dream home: www.akiya-mart.com [https://www.akiya-mart.com/?utm_source=podcast]

Serious about buying? Let’s chat! https://www.akiya-mart.com/how-to-buy/ [https://www.akiya-mart.com/how-to-buy/?utm_source=podcast]

Take a video tour of our Beppu Akiya: https://youtu.be/M7Hb6ENxm_0

Take a video tour of our Tokyo Akiya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ils4PSA8kqg

Take video tour of our Nagasaki Akiya:
https://youtu.be/Snd_KXz7VBw

Drop us a line! podcast@akiya-mart.com

Buying a House in Japan

Hi! My name is Garrett aka Scooter. I'm a musician and a speech pathologist, and I just want to introduce these two rad emotions to you, awe and wonder. Each week I want to share some tiny snippets of awe with you -- a quote,  fun facts, some awe anecdotes, along with some researched and practical ways to cultivate more awe and wonder in your life.

If you've wanna chat or you have some awe anecdotes, I'd love to hear from you! email me at garrett@oyamaslp.com

Also, if you want to support the show, I'd greatly appreciate it: https://buymeacoffee.com/goyama  [https://buymeacoffee.com/goyama]

Take Kurosawa

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