Available Japanese Real Estate Properties: Weekly TL;DR January 4 - 10, 2025

This article provides an informative overview of three distinctive properties currently available for sale in Japan. From a historic countryside home in Nagano Prefecture to modern apartments in Tokyo, these properties showcase the diverse real estate opportunities available to buyers seeking everything from rural tranquility to urban sophistication. Currency conversions are based on the exchange rate of 156.201 JPY = 1 USD as of January 6, 2026.

Property 1: $12,800 | Historic 1891 Single-Story Home | Ina City, Nagano Prefecture

Located in the picturesque countryside of Takato Town in Ina City, this remarkable property represents a piece of living history. Built in 1891 during the Meiji era, this traditional wooden single-story home sits on a generous plot that combines both residential land and agricultural space, offering a unique opportunity for those seeking an authentic rural Japanese lifestyle.

The property features a spacious 716.27m² (7,710 ft²) total land area, which includes 502.27m² of residential land and 214m² of rice field approximately 500 meters from the main house. The building itself offers 130.57m² (1,405 ft²) of living space with a traditional 7DK floor plan, providing ample room for comfortable living or renovation projects. Located in a sunny spot with excellent views, the home benefits from a corner lot position with 19-meter frontages on two sides, offering convenient access and privacy.

While this is an older property, practical updates have been made where it matters most. The plumbing has been renovated, and the toilet has been modernized to a flushable system with a combined septic tank. The property is connected to public water supply and uses propane gas for heating needs. Parking is generous, with space for 4-5 vehicles including covered parking for three cars, plus additional storage sheds and outdoor storage areas.

The location offers the best of rural living while maintaining access to modern conveniences. Takato Town's downtown area, complete with supermarkets, convenience stores, and notable attractions including Takato Castle Ruins Park (famous for cherry blossom viewing), is within a 20-minute drive. The area is known for its welcoming community, with many residents from outside the prefecture having successfully integrated into local life. The property is approximately 20 minutes by car from Suwa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway.

Priced at ¥2,000,000 (approximately $12,800 USD), this property presents an exceptional value for buyers interested in countryside living, agricultural pursuits, or renovation projects. Young buyers or those with young spouses may be eligible for subsidies of up to ¥1,500,000 through Ina City's programs for purchase, renovation, or extension work.

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Property 2: $510,800 | Iconic 1963 "Future Century Mansion" Top Floor | Meguro Ward, Tokyo

This is not just an apartment—it's a piece of architectural history. The Mirai Seiki Mansion (Future Century Mansion), built in 1963, stands as one of Tokyo's coolest vintage apartment buildings, featuring a bold exterior design that was intentionally created to break away from the monotony of typical apartment complexes. For over 60 years, this building has been called futuristic, and its unique aesthetic continues to captivate residents and admirers alike.

Today's offering is a top-floor unit with spectacular views, spanning 69.57m² (749 ft²) of thoughtfully designed living space. The wide windows in the living room take full advantage of the surrounding low-rise residential area, offering pleasant, unobstructed views and flooding the interior with natural light. The previous owner maintained the unit well, with the last major renovation of fixtures occurring around 2011, followed by updates to the air conditioning and wallpaper. This presents an excellent opportunity for buyers to renovate according to their personal vision—perhaps opening up the space by removing walls and rearranging the kitchen to create a more expansive living/dining/kitchen area.

The building itself has been impeccably maintained, with the exterior walls and common areas showing no signs of age but rather exuding the distinguished charm that comes from proper care over decades. The entrance atmosphere, glass blocks in common areas, and thoughtful signage plan are particularly striking. Major repair work was completed in December 2018, ensuring the building's structural integrity for years to come.

The community spirit in this building is exceptional. Residents gather annually on the rooftop to watch fireworks together, and there's a strong collective commitment to maintaining the property as a place worth caring about for the long term. The neighborhood enhances the appeal, with Komazawa Olympic Park nearby, along with quality amenities including the greengrocer Hasshin (offering fresh vegetables and sashimi), Onibus Coffee, convenience stores, supermarkets, and medical facilities.

The location is excellent for commuters: 13 minutes' walk from Toritsu-daigaku Station, 16 minutes from Gakugei-daigaku Station (both on the Tokyu Toyoko Line), and 18 minutes from Komazawa-daigaku Station on the Tokyu Denentoshi Line. The only minor consideration is some traffic noise from the nearby intersection, though most residents find this easily manageable given the building's other exceptional qualities.

Listed at ¥79,800,000 (approximately $510,800 USD), with monthly management fees of ¥15,200 and repair reserve fund contributions of ¥16,350. The property is pet-friendly (with restrictions per building regulations), and delivery is negotiable, expected around August 2026.

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Property 3: $172,900 | Mountain and River View Renovated Apartment | Ome City, Tokyo

Experience a rare combination within metropolitan Tokyo—a beautifully renovated apartment where the majestic Tama River and Okutama mountain range become part of your daily scenery. Located in Ome City, this 61.11m² (658 ft²) seventh-floor apartment offers the kind of natural backdrop typically reserved for rural properties, yet with the convenience of being just six minutes' walk from Ome Station.

This property has been completely renovated with exceptional attention to detail and quality. The interior features solid wood "floating" flooring that showcases the natural beauty of the wood, complemented by textured lauan walls, white paint, and tiles that create a sophisticated, calm atmosphere. The master bedroom and living room are strategically positioned by the windows to maximize the stunning views. Opening the sliding doors creates a seamless flow between spaces, making the view feel like an extension of the home itself.

Thoughtful design touches include a small workspace in one corner of the living room, accented by a wooden window that frames the outdoor view. A compact 2.4-tatami Western-style room provides flexibility as a secondary bedroom, study, or storage space, while a walk-in closet ensures ample storage throughout. The washbasin positioned by a window creates a pleasant, naturally lit space for morning and evening routines.

Beyond aesthetics, this renovation prioritized long-term comfort and durability. Insulation has been added to exterior walls, inner sashes installed in all windows, and steel vibration-proofing materials used on floors for soundproofing. All piping in the private areas has been updated, ensuring the apartment will provide comfortable, trouble-free living for years to come.

Ome Station serves as the starting point for the Chuo Line Ome Limited Express, making central Tokyo accessible in about an hour—perfect for a relaxing commute via Green Car. The area around Ome Station has evolved into a vibrant community with shops run by young entrepreneurs, pleasant shopping streets, public art, and retro spots that make strolling enjoyable. About 13 minutes' walk from the property, renovated tangible cultural property buildings house movie theaters and restaurants worth visiting.

The Tama River's proximity is perhaps the property's greatest asset. The upstream location means shallow, clear water where the riverbed is visible, surrounded by plants that showcase the changing seasons. Nearby Kamanofuchi Park offers opportunities for water play, strolling, and even hot springs. This balance of retro charm, local character, and natural beauty makes Ome an ideal choice for those wanting to escape urban intensity while maintaining reasonable city access.

Priced at ¥27,000,000 (approximately $172,900 USD), with monthly management fees of ¥13,400 and repair reserve fund contributions of ¥19,800. The property is currently vacant and available for immediate delivery. Parking, bicycle parking, and motorcycle parking are all available.

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Important Disclaimer

We are a property matching service and have no direct affiliation with the real estate agency or agent associated with these property listings. We do not receive any commission or compensation from the sale of these properties should you choose to pursue a purchase. Our role is purely to connect potential buyers with available properties and provide informational content to assist in your property search. For all inquiries, transactions, and official property details, please contact the listed agent or agency directly. See links in the summaries.