From YouTube Inspiration to Owning a Home in Japan: Javier Batista Santiago’s Journey

Owning a home in Japan might seem like a daunting dream for most non-Japanese citizens, but for one flight attendant with a love for Japanese culture, it became a reality. 

This case study explores Javier Batista Santiago’s journey—from discovering affordable akiya homes on YouTube to navigating the complex property buying process with the help of Akiya & Inaka and MailMate. 

MailMate: Can you tell me a little about what the property buying process in Japan was like? What was the most challenging aspect of that for you? 

Javier Batista Santiago: When I was purchasing a property through Akiya & Inaka, at first I felt nervous. 

Buying property overseas was unfamiliar territory for me, especially with the rules and logistics involved. I knew foreigners have the same rights to buy property in Japan, but I wasn’t fully aware of what happens afterward, and there were some concerns that only became apparent during the process. I also worried about who would check on my property or handle things like gardening.

While the idea of owning a vacation home in Japan was exciting—a home away from home—it was also overwhelming. I kept thinking about the potential challenges I’d face alone after completing the purchase. 

Fortunately, when I shared these concerns with Parker Allen [Akiya & Inaka CEO], he recommended MailMate. He said you specialize in helping foreigners manage their properties in Japan, and he was absolutely right.

Once I started looking at MailMate’s services, I was impressed. You’ve taken so much stress off my shoulders and resolved the doubts and issues I would’ve faced if I had tried to handle everything on my own. Honestly, your service has been perfect.

MailMate: Such kind words! Thank you! Did Akiya & Inaka help with the property registration? How did that come about?

Javier Batista Santiago: It’s a bit funny, but my interest in akiya homes actually started with a YouTube video. I saw how cheap these properties were and wondered why. That curiosity led me to research more about them. Eventually, I thought, Why not see if it’s possible to buy a home in Japan?

As a flight attendant, I have the flexibility to travel almost anywhere, often for free or at a low cost. Since flight attendants can live anywhere as long as they can make it back to base on time, I realized I could travel to Japan regularly without much trouble. Owning a property there started to feel possible.

Javier Batista Santiago in Kyoto

I used an AI app to look up companies that could help me purchase property in Japan. It mentioned *akiya* banks and other websites, and that’s how I found out about Akiya & Inaka. They specialize in helping foreigners buy property in Japan by handling everything—from paperwork and translations to the entire purchasing process—while I stayed overseas. 

I only needed to visit Japan twice: once to meet Parker and once to see the property. They took care of everything else, including sending invoices and managing payments. 

Compared to navigating the process through a realtor or an *akiya* bank, where I might have struggled with language barriers, legalities, and documentation, Akiya & Inaka made it incredibly easy. They were fantastic. When Parker recommended your company, it felt like the perfect combination for managing my property. Honestly, I never thought the process could be this straightforward.

MailMate: So many of your points about your experience are interesting to me, but let me just dial into this one thing you mentioned about how you used an AI app to find Akiya & Inaka. What's the name of the AI app you used? 

Javier Batista Santiago: The app I was using is called Nova. It incorporates various AI technologies, including ChatGPT-3, ChatGPT-4, and newer ones like Google Gemini. The developers are constantly upgrading it, and at the time, I believe I was using ChatGPT-4. The experience felt incredibly real—almost like having a professional conversation. 

The app provided me with a detailed list of information and even helped me plan travel itineraries for Japan, suggesting the best places to visit. If I didn’t like some recommendations, it would quickly suggest alternatives and create a well-timed itinerary. It was impressive.

Nova was the app that helped me research akiya homes and start the property purchasing process. It’s also how I found the recommendation for Akiya & Inaka. Through them, I eventually connected with Mr. Parker, who later introduced me to your company. That’s how everything came together.

MailMate: Fascinating! Have you talked to your friends or your circle about this journey you're on—of having a second home in Japan? I imagine this is not the most common thing among people in the States.

Javier Batista Santiago: I’ve shared my experience with a lot of my coworkers and family. 

My family was shocked—they expected me to eventually buy a property in the U.S. However, buying a property here, especially in states like Florida or New York, is incredibly expensive. Properties here can cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. 

By comparison, properties in Japan, especially akiya homes, are much more affordable. While some need work or are in less ideal locations, Akiya & Inaka helps find quality properties in good condition that don’t come with unexpected repair surprises. 

The property I purchased, for example, was in great shape. It’s by the beach in Chiba and cost just $30,000. A similar property in the U.S. would easily be over a million dollars, especially in New York. 

When I told my family, they were happy and supportive, even though they never expected me to own a property overseas. My coworkers were equally impressed—some even called me the most interesting person they’ve met! They asked for details, as many of them have always wanted to buy a house in Japan but didn’t know where to start. I told them about Akiya & Inaka and also recommended MailMate, explaining how it helps with property management and other services like mail handling. They were thrilled with the information.

For me, owning a home in Japan makes sense. I love the culture, and as a flight attendant, I can travel there easily. Having my own property saves me from dealing with Airbnb costs. 

While I’d love to live in Japan, the visa requirements make that complicated. But for now, my house in Chiba is perfect. It’s in the countryside but close enough to the city, with great access to Tokyo and the airport, which makes it very convenient. 

I’m also in the process of getting home insurance for the property. MailMate has been a huge help with this. I originally tried going through a local agent in Japan, but they required a Japanese phone number, which I can’t get without residency. While companies like Mobal cater to foreigners, their phone services stop working when you leave Japan, which isn’t ideal for emergencies. Thankfully, MailMate offers help with getting insurance set up and can act as an emergency contact. And it’s been a relief knowing MailMate can handle these situations.

This experience [of trying to get home insurance] has made me appreciate MailMate so much. They simplify so many aspects of property ownership in Japan, from managing mail to addressing challenges like insurance. I’m really grateful for their support.

MailMate: Which MailMate services are you using? 

Javier Batista Santiago: Right now, the MailMate services I am using are the property management service. So basically, MailMate handles my mail, and I have a virtual address. And they send the mail I receive (at my Japanese property) and I'm able to see the mail, and if I need translation services, they also translate that for me, which is really useful. 

I can also pay bills through them, which is incredibly useful. That was a major concern for me, especially with Japanese banks, where residency requirements and other complications can make things difficult. MailMate makes the process so much easier.

They also help with other services, like taking care of yearly property tax payments, which was a big relief. Additionally, they offer services for property maintenance, such as airing out the house, gardening, and more. MailMate’s comprehensive list of services really impressed me. They are the perfect company to work with for managing properties in Japan from overseas. I was genuinely impressed and have absolutely loved the experience so far.