Finding an English Realtor in Japan: What You Need to Know
Looking for an English-speaking realtor in Japan isn’t just about language—it’s about navigating contracts, registration, and bureaucracy that are entirely in Japanese. Foreign buyers took 3.5% of newly built Tokyo condos in the first half of 2025, with Shinjuku Ward seeing a 14.6% concentration of international buyers. Whether you’re after a Tokyo investment unit, an Osaka rental, or a rural akiya, a licensed English-speaking agent can mean the difference between a smooth deal and a costly mistake.
There’s no legal requirement for English translations of real estate documents in Japan. Sellers and government offices operate in Japanese, and even native speakers find the system extremely detailed and paperwork-heavy. An agent who can translate, explain, and negotiate on your behalf isn’t a luxury; for most foreign buyers, it’s essential. This directory covers vetted English-speaking realtors by region, how to check their credentials, how fees work, and househunting tips for Japan—plus how to avoid common pitfalls, including the new reporting rules that take effect in April 2026.
Last Updated: March 2026 | Reflecting foreign buyer reporting requirements effective April 2026
In my experience, the agents who actually make a difference are the ones who’ve done dozens of deals with non-Japanese clients, not just agencies that have one bilingual staff member. The table below is a quick reference; the sections that follow explain why licensing and commission structure matter and where things often go wrong.
| Quick Reference | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission Rate (over ¥4M) | 3% + ¥60,000 + 10% tax |
| License Required | Takkenshi (宅建士) |
| New Reporting Rule | April 2026 for foreign buyers |
| Total Closing Costs | 6–10% of purchase price |
Why You Need an English Realtor in Japan
Contracts and official documents are in Japanese only. An English realtor in Japan doesn’t just translate—they help you understand what you’re signing, negotiate with sellers and their agents, and steer you through bureaucratic steps (including nationality disclosure from April 2026). They can also connect you to English-speaking judicial scriveners for title checks and explain local business norms. We have guides for American, British, Australian, Canadian, and Singaporean buyers that tie into these rules.
Even with an English-speaking agent, many expats recommend having basic Japanese or a Japanese-speaking friend at viewings. Building staff and neighbours usually won’t speak English, and that’s where small misunderstandings can happen.
Tokyo English-Speaking Real Estate Agents
Tokyo has the largest pool of English-speaking agents, matching its role as the main market for foreign buyers. Below are established names, investment-focused firms, and management options. Before you choose, match the agent to your goal: investment, luxury residential, or rental.
Established Agencies (20+ Years)
Plaza Homes | realestate-tokyo.com — Operating since 1969; rentals, sales, management, relocation; luxury expat focus; Tokyo metro.
Ken Corporation | kencorp.com — 50+ years; 7,000+ listings; serves 1,600+ foreign companies and embassies; Tokyo and Yokohama; rentals, sales, corporate relocation, offices.
Tokyo Yohan Real Estate | tokyo-yohan.com/en — 20+ years with expatriates; rentals and brokerage; Tokyo.
Sun Realty — 60+ years; luxury housing for expats and families; Hiroo, Azabu, Roppongi.
Investment-Focused Agents
Tokyo Portfolio | tokyoportfolio.com — Large YouTube following; premium expat properties; Minato, Shibuya, Meguro, Chuo; sales and investment.
Lead Home | lead-home.jp — Luxury residential (¥100M–¥5B); Meguro, Setagaya, Minato, Shibuya; sales and off-market.
Tokyo Prime Realty | tokyoprimerealty.com — RE/MAX affiliate; rentals, sales, investment; Tokyo.
Property Management for Foreign Owners
Housing Japan | housingjapan.com — High occupancy; virtual bank accounts for overseas owners; management, sales, rentals; Tokyo.
Blackship Realty | blackshiprealty.com — Premier expat real estate; sales and consultations; Tokyo.
Major Japanese Brokerages with English Support
Sumitomo Fudosan Step | global.sumitomo-res.com — English, Chinese, Korean; Tokyo and nationwide; +81-3-6450-2591 (English).
For ward-level investment context, see our Tokyo Investment Guide.
Osaka and Kansai Region English Realtors
Kansai often offers better value than Tokyo and is drawing more foreign investors. The agents below specialise in the region and in working with international clients.
Omoroi Osaka | omoroiosaka.com — Founded by US-licensed realtor Zach Mitchell; sales, virtual tours, translation, renovation referrals; Kansai.
Maido Real Estate | maidorealestate.com — Foreigner rentals, purchases, Airbnb investment; Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto.
First Housing Consultants | firsthousingconsultants.jp — 50+ years; rentals, sales, relocation; Kansai.
Move2Japan | move2japan.com — Full-service for international clients; Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo.
Link Realty | link-realty.co.jp/en — Overseas resident support; sales, contract translation, visa assistance; Kansai.
More on the local market: our Osaka Investment Guide.
Kyoto, Hokkaido, Fukuoka, Okinawa, and Regional Agents
Kyoto has strict building and heritage rules; an agent with Kyoto-specific experience is important. Mate in Kyoto | mateinkyoto1.com specialises in buying and selling in Kyoto city. See our Kyoto investment guide for market context.
Hokkaido: ResCom Hokkaido, LLC | rescomhokkaido.com/english — Non-resident services; sales, purchases, contact person registration, mail management; Hokkaido and nationwide; domestic contact person service (required since April 2024).
Fukuoka: Yes! Fudousan | realestate-fukuoka.yes-fudousan.com — Full English; minimum purchase ¥10 million; 092-558-8872, LINE, WhatsApp. Seaside Real Estate | seaside.ne.jp/english.html — Experience with consulates and international clients; sales, rentals, management, assessment; Fukuoka.
Okinawa: Villa Resort (VILLA Okinawa Real Estate) | villa-realty.com/english — Buy, sell, invest; Okinawa, Miyakojima, Ishigakijima. Port Real Estate Ltd. | portrealestate.jp/en — Multilingual; rentals, sales, remote services; Okinawa. Century 21 Okinawa | century21global.com — Nine offices in Okinawa.
Yokohama: Tokunaga Real Estate | tokunaga-realestate.com/index-en — 100+ years; rentals, sales, management, commercial.
Akiya and Rural Property Specialists
Rural and akiya deals involve municipal registries, renovation rules, and different paperwork. Use agents who work regularly with these properties.
Akiya & Inaka | akiyainaka.com — Works with municipal governments; buyer/seller/investor services, renovation help; rural Japan nationwide. More in our akiya investment guide. As they note: rural acquisition is complex and bureaucratic; low prices can hide significant procedural and renovation challenges.
Akiya Air | akiyaair.com — Vacant homes and kominka; search, purchase guidance, renovation, management; rural Japan.
Teritoru | akiyajapan.com/teritoru — Bilingual brokerage for foreign investors; consultations (initial fee around $100), purchase support, management, resale; nationwide.
How to Verify a Licensed Real Estate Agent
Every agent conducting transactions in Japan must hold Takkenshi (宅建士) certification (Real Estate Transaction Specialist under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). Brokerages must be licensed under the Real Estate Brokerage Act, have a physical office, full-time transaction specialists, and appropriate guarantees.
Protect yourself by: (1) asking for the agent’s license number, (2) checking with the prefectural registry, (3) confirming the brokerage with MLIT, and (4) asking to see physical ID. Red flags include refusal to provide license details, pressure to skip registry verification, large upfront payments before contract, or reluctance to use a judicial scrivener for title checks. Japan has no title insurance; the Legal Affairs Bureau (法務局) registry is your main protection against fraud.
What Went Wrong: Signing Without Understanding the Contract
I’ve seen a buyer rely on an agent’s verbal summary and skip a proper explanation of the Japanese contract. One clause limited the buyer’s ability to back out after a certain stage—something that wasn’t obvious from a quick scan. They didn’t have a judicial scrivener or a second opinion. The deal went through, but the lesson was clear: even with an English realtor in Japan, the binding document is in Japanese. Get a full explanation of every material clause, and if possible, use an English-speaking judicial scrivener for the title and contract review. Our first steps to buying a house in Japan and complete guide spell out the sequence so you know when to involve which professional.
Understanding Japan Real Estate Fees and Commissions
Commissions are set by law. The structure below is the statutory ceiling; some agents negotiate below this, especially on high-value deals.
| Purchase Price | Commission Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ¥2 million | 5% of purchase price |
| ¥2 million to ¥4 million | 4% + ¥20,000 |
| Over ¥4 million | 3% + ¥60,000 |
| Over ¥100 million | Often negotiable to 1% |
Add 10% consumption tax to commission. Many Japanese brokers act for both sides (dual agency); this is legal but must be disclosed. Budget 6–10% of purchase price for total closing costs (commission, judicial scrivener, registration, stamp duty, acquisition tax, insurance). Details: our Complete Guide to Buying Property in Japan and hidden costs guide.
Property Management and Non-Resident Requirements
From April 2024, non-resident owners must register a domestic contact person on the property registry. This person receives official and legal notices. Some management firms offer this service.
Examples with multilingual support: Nihon Zaitaku Management (English, Chinese; Tokyo area; high occupancy); Tokyu Housing Lease Corporation (English, Chinese; nationwide; leasing, rent collection, tax payments, international transfers); M-CENTRAL (Filipino and English; nationwide; sales, tax, mortgage support); Property Pilot Japan (consultant, not broker; sourcing, translation, management; nationwide); RealEstate.jp (foreign buyers; sales, financing). Listing portals include Real Estate Japan and GaijinPot Apartments; use them to find licensed agents rather than as a substitute for verification.
How to Choose the Right English-Speaking Agent
Match the agent to your goal: Tokyo investment (e.g. Tokyo Portfolio, Lead Home, Housing Japan); Kansai (Omoroi Osaka, Maido, First Housing); rural/akiya (Akiya & Inaka, Akiya Air, Teritoru); non-resident (agents that offer management and contact-person services); luxury (Ken Corporation, Plaza Homes, Lead Home). Ask how long they’ve worked with foreign clients, whether they can provide references, whether they cover your area and price range, what they do after purchase (management, contact person), how they handle time zones, and whether they work with English-speaking scriveners and tax advisors. Word of mouth in expat communities still counts—check reviews and forums, and prefer agents who specialise in foreign clients over general agencies with one English speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners buy property in Japan without speaking Japanese?
Yes. There’s no language or residency requirement to purchase. All contracts and legal documents are in Japanese, however. An English-speaking agent and judicial scrivener can translate and explain, but you’ll sign Japanese-language contracts. Some buyers also hire an independent translator for an extra check.
How do I verify if a Japanese real estate agent is licensed?
Ask for the agent’s Takkenshi (宅建士) license number and verify it with the prefecture where they’re registered. Licensed agents carry ID with that number. You can also confirm the brokerage with MLIT. Refusal or vagueness about licensing is a serious red flag.
What fees do real estate agents charge in Japan?
By law: 5% for properties up to ¥2 million, 4% + ¥20,000 for ¥2–4 million, 3% + ¥60,000 above ¥4 million. Add 10% consumption tax. Above ¥100 million, fees are often negotiated down to around 1%. Total closing costs are typically 6–10% of purchase price.
Do I need a local representative to buy property in Japan as a non-resident?
Since April 2024, non-resident owners must register a domestic contact person with the property registry to receive official and legal mail. Some agents and management companies provide this. From April 2026, foreign buyers must also comply with government reporting and nationality disclosure in registration.
What is the difference between an agent and an intermediary in Japan?
A real estate agent (broker) must be licensed and can conduct transactions. An intermediary or consultant can advise and source properties but cannot legally execute the transaction. Some English-language services are consultants who refer you to a licensed Japanese broker for the actual purchase—so always confirm who will be on the contract and whether they are Takkenshi.
What househunting tips should I follow when using an English realtor in Japan?
Key househunting tips with an English realtor in Japan: (1) define your budget including 6–10% closing costs before viewing, (2) verify the agent’s Takkenshi license and brokerage registration, (3) request a full explanation of the Important Matters Disclosure and contract in English before signing, (4) use an English-speaking judicial scrivener for title checks, and (5) prefer agents with a track record of deals with non-Japanese clients over general agencies with a single bilingual staff member.
Useful Resources
Related guides: Complete Guide to Buying Property in Japan, Beginners’ Investment Guide, Hidden Costs, First Steps, Tokyo Investment Guide, Osaka Investment Guide.
Official sources: Real Estate Brokerage Act (English), Ministry of Justice — Property Registration, MLIT, Legal Affairs Bureau.
Final Thoughts
The right English realtor in Japan turns a high-stakes, paperwork-heavy process into something manageable. The names in this directory are verified options by region, but your choice should depend on your location, property type, budget, and whether you need ongoing management. Start by shortlisting agents in your target area, checking their licensing, and meeting two or three. The best will be transparent on fees, clear on the process, and able to show experience with foreign clients. For a full walkthrough from search to registration, use our Complete Guide to Buying Property in Japan.
This directory was last updated in March 2026. Verify licensing and current services directly with agents before engaging.
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