English-Speaking Real Estate Companies in Japan for Renting and Buying a Property

International interest in the Japanese real estate market has increased steadily over the last decade as news about Akiya houses and free houses in Japan becomes widespread. Additionally, due to the rising popularity of Japan as a travel destination, some people might be thinking about moving to Japan.

Whether purchasing property for an investment or renting it for your expat life, working with Japanese realtors is important when navigating the market.

From Tokyo to other major cities, the demand and price for real estate properties continue to grow, driven by economic conditions and urban expansion.

This article will explain everything you need to know about realtors in Japan. We also include a list of well-known English-speaking real estate companies.

What can a realtor do in Japan?

A realtor in Japan, known as 不動産業者 fudosan gyosha, can offer a wide range of services related to real estate matters.

1) Assist in buying property

Realtors in Japan assist both domestic and international buyers in finding real estate properties. They help clients by providing market insights and advising them on the best locations for investment. Furthermore, once a client decides on a property, realtors assist with the purchasing process, including legal paperwork and financing.

2) Help clients rent properties (renting or leasing)

Whether a client wants to rent an apartment or a house for the short term, or a property owner wants to rent out their property, realtors can help. They guide renters through Japan’s unique rental system, including lease agreements, key money, and guarantor requirements. For property owners, realtors handle listing the property, finding tenants, and negotiating rental terms, making the process much smoother.

3)  Sell properties for clients

Property owners looking to sell their properties can rely on realtors to handle the entire process. They will list properties for sale and market them on behalf of the owners. Additionally, they will conduct market research and property valuation based on economic conditions, market demand, and location. Once they find a buyer, they will manage negotiations and draft contracts to ensure a smooth handover process.

4) Consulting for real estate investment

The consultation for real estate investment includes general investment opportunities and risk assessment in residential properties and commercial real estate. Consultants will inform clients about market trends and high-demand areas to help them make better investment decisions.

5) Manage property on behalf of the client

For property owners who do not live near the property or prefer a hands-off approach, realtors can also help manage the property. Their services include handling tenant relations, such as rent collection and dispute resolution, as well as overseeing maintenance, repairs, and other property-related matters.

👉Read also: Property Management Companies In Japan: A Quick Guide

6) Assist foreign buyers and renters 

Many realtors in Japan specialize in assisting foreign buyers and renters. Their service includes multilingual support, often in English, Chinese, and other languages to help foreign clients. Oftentimes, they offer guidance on Japan’s legal and tax systems.

Top English-speaking real estate companies

Finding the right realtors in Japan is essential for foreigners and residents when buying, investing, or renting a property. Here are the reputable English-speaking real estate companies in Japan.

👉Read also: Top 7 English-Speaking Real Estate Lawyers in Japan

1) e-heya.net

e-heya.net is a popular and reputable website for searching rental apartments. It offers multilingual services, including English, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, and Vietnamese.

The website also provides a home appliance rental plan, making it easier for foreigners to move into an apartment.

e-heya.net lists properties that do not require a joint guarantor for lease agreements. In Japan, foreigners typically need a guarantor to rent an apartment, but the website features properties that can be leased through a guarantor agency. Additionally, they can recommend properties where foreigners can pay initial costs, such as deposits and key money, by credit card.

2) Living Japan

Living Japan is a user-friendly service for foreigners searching for rental apartments, shared houses, or monthly mansions (monthly apartments) in Tokyo.

From apartment searches to room tours, everything can be done online. They also offer a free utility setup service upon move-in.

They exclusively list foreigner-friendly apartments to ensure a smooth and convenient rental process.

3) Blackship Realty

Blackship Realty specializes in helping foreign expats purchase high-end properties in Tokyo. Their English-speaking agents provide personalized consultation services to assist foreign real estate investors and homebuyers in finding premium properties.

4) Real Estate Japan

Real Estate Japan lists different types of real estate both for rent and for sale. 

For rent, they list short-term apartments, no-key money apartments, and furnished apartments for foreigners. For sale, they have a variety of investment properties and real estate in Tokyo listed on their website. 

They also offer real estate investment and financing seminars and networking opportunities.

5) Sumitomo Real Estate Sales

Sumitomo Real Estate Sales is a trusted brokerage firm in Japan. 

They offer brokerage services for buying and selling properties and have a wide range of properties listed for sale on their website, such as apartment, house, land, investment property, commercial office space, retail space, and hotel/ryokan.

They also offer consulting services in both English and Chinese.

6) Mitsui Fudosan Realty

Mitsui Fudosan Realty is another trusted brokerage firm in Japan. 

They provide services for foreigners looking to buy, sell, or invest in properties in Japan. The company focuses on high-end residential and investment properties such as in Minato ku and Tokyo midtown, offering English-language support and tailored consultations.

👉Read also: Buying Real Estate in Japan: What to Know & Do

How to find the right Japanese real estate realtor

For non-Japanese speakers, finding the right Japanese realtor is crucial. Here is the quick guide for which real estate company to choose from depending on your needs.

Are you looking for an apartment to rent?

👉Then, check Living Japan, or Real Estate Japan

Are you looking for a high-end property in Tokyo?

👉Then, check Blackship Realty, Mitsui Fudosan Realty

Are you looking for a property to buy in Japan?

👉Then, check Sumitomo Real Estate Sales

Are you looking for a utility set up service, property tax representative, bill-pay service, and more?

👉Then, check MailMate

MailMate for property owners in Japan

For investors who need on-the-ground support, consider using MailMate and its property management services. 

The service includes the following features:

• Tax representative for annual real estate tax payments

• Domestic point of contact for authorities (required by law)

• Bill pay support for property tax payments

• Tax notifications with English summaries

• A virtual mailbox to receive the mail that arrives at your Japanese property

• Manage important property documents and notifications in one place

• Home owner insurance quote provider and contract support

Other services MailMate offers include utility and Internet setup of your Japanese property! 

Founded in 2019, MailMate has simplified property ownership for foreigners living abroad and is an increasingly popular option recommended by users and well-known industry figures.

Note: If you use MailMate's tax representative service for property owners, MailMate will take care of filing the tax representative form with the relevant tax office on your behalf.

Navigate Japan's tax system with an experienced tax representative service tailored for foreign property owners!

In closing

For foreigners who do not speak Japanese, navigating Japan’s real estate market can be challenging. However, with the right English-speaking realtor or real estate company, you can make the process much easier, whether you are looking to rent an apartment or invest in property. 

When you decide to live in Japan or you are purchasing property, MailMate will offer you a full range of services tailored for expats and foreign property owners!