How to Search for Properties in Japan: Agent-Proven Methods and My Personal Approach

Why This Matters

Searching for a property in Japan is very different from many countries. Unlike the U.S. or Europe, where real estate portals often centralize listings, Japan has no single public database that covers everything. Instead, agents rely on a combination of specialized listing sites, industry databases, and professional networks to find the right property for their clients.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the main tools and strategies real estate agents in Japan use and I’ll also share my personal approach, tips, and tricks that I use every day when searching for properties for my clients. Japan’s real estate market is fragmented compared to many other countries. There’s no publicly accessible MLS, and agents rely heavily on private systems and local knowledge. In this guide, I’ll explain the main tools professionals use and share my own approach to property searches.

1. Start with Public Listing Sites When Searching for Properties in Japan

These are the best places to begin:

• AtHome (アットホーム): My favorite site, and the one I usually check first. It offers detailed filters, multiple property types, and the most up to date property listings.

• SUUMO (スーモ): A close second and very useful for browsing both new and resale condos, houses, and rentals.

• HOME’S (ライフルホームズ) and Yahoo! Real Estate: Good alternatives to cross-check listings.

My tip: When using AtHome, the best way to search is with the Google Chrome browser. Chrome automatically translates everything into English, and in my experience, it’s the most reliable tool for navigating Japanese property websites in another language.

2. Make the Most of Filters and Search Speed

When searching for homes or condos, it’s important to:

• Choose the property type: Make sure you select whether you’re searching for a house or a condominium, and whether you want new or used properties.

• Narrow down your areas: Focus on the specific cities or neighborhoods you’d realistically consider purchasing in.

• Use search conditions: AtHome has excellent filters. I use these every day, and the most important ones are:

  • Location

  • Price range

  • Size range

  • Land ownership (very important in Japan)

  • Posting date (I personally like to check for newly posted properties)

💡 Pro tip: Focus on recently posted properties. In Japan, being the first to inquire

about a property often gives you a real advantage. Owners and agents tend to respect the order in which offers come in, so moving quickly can make the difference in securing the deal.

3. Agent-Only Tools: The Japanese MLS

While public sites are helpful for browsing, agents rely on REINS (Real Estate Information Network System), which is Japan’s internal MLS. This database contains the most up-to-date information, but only licensed agents can access it.

When you find a property you like, an English-speaking agent like Omoroi Osaka can:

• Check REINS to confirm if the property is still available

• Provide additional details not shown online

• Contact the seller’s agent directly to request more information or schedule a viewing

4. A Word of Caution About English Sites

There are many English-language websites that scrape listings from major Japanese portals. While these can be useful for filtering through properties at the beginning, they often hide critical details behind paywalls.

Be careful:

• These sites are not always updated in real-time, so many listings are already sold or unavailable by the time you see them.

• Property information can be wrong or incomplete because of translation errors or mistakes during scraping.

• They hide important details (like address, floor plans, and agent contacts) behind paywalls.

• Photos and descriptions are often low quality or missing altogether.

• Pricing data can be outdated or misrepresented, leading to confusion.

• Some sites deliberately remove the seller’s contact information, forcing you to rely on their paid service instead of going directly to the licensed agent.

• Because they are not official, there’s no guarantee the property even exists anymore, which wastes your time.

• Communication through these sites is unreliable. Messages sent via their forms often never reach the actual listing agent.

For serious searches, it’s always best to use the original Japanese sites. If you find a property you like, you can even reach out directly to the listing agent. They may respond in Japanese, but translation tools like ChatGPT make communication manageable.

My Daily Workflow: How I Search

Here’s what I personally do every day when searching for properties:

1. Open Google Chrome and go straight to AtHome

2. Apply key filters such as type, area, price, size, and posting date

3. Review newly posted listings and move quickly to inquire

4. Cross-check any interesting properties in REINS for accuracy

5. Contact the seller’s agent when needed

   
   

The Bottom Line

Finding properties in Japan is about more than just browsing public listings. The most effective approach is to use Japanese platforms like AtHome, act quickly on new postings, and verify everything through agent-only systems like REINS.

At Omoroi Osaka, I combine hands-on searching with professional access to insider tools. This way, my clients can discover properties early, confirm details, and move forward with confidence in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the world.