We gather data objectively from the latest available sources and share what we find useful.
We hope it helps anyone looking for a home in Japan, or considering a business built around property.
No. Buying property in Japan does not by itself give you a visa. But Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to visit, and many foreign owners use a home here as a second base.
Visiting Without a Visa
Japan has visa-exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions. Their citizens can arrive, show a passport and stay for a set period, without applying for anything in advance.
A new period of stay is granted each time you arrive, so owners can come and go several times a year: spring in Tokyo, a summer at home, autumn back in Japan. Many foreign owners live this way between two countries. Short-term stay is a visitor status rather than a way to live in Japan, so immigration looks at the overall pattern, and long visits back to back can lead to questions on arrival.
| Passport | Short stay in Japan |
|---|---|
| United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand | No visa, up to 90 days |
| United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Switzerland | No visa, up to 90 days; up to 6 months with an extension |
| Most other European countries | No visa, up to 90 days |
| Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea | No visa, up to 90 days |
| Thailand, Indonesia | No visa, up to 15 days (Indonesia: registered e-passport) |
| Mainland China, India | Visa required; an online eVISA is available for many short visits |
Rules depend on nationality and passport type, and permission to land is decided at the border. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before travelling.
Staying Longer Without Moving to Japan
Two statuses allow longer stays for people who are not working for a Japanese employer:
- Citizens of visa-exempt countries, aged 18 or over
- Savings of JPY 30 million or more (a couple may combine)
- Six months, renewable to one year
- A spouse may come too
- Remote work for employers or clients outside Japan
- Annual income of JPY 10 million or more
- Six months, not renewable; available again after six months away
- Citizens of the listed countries and regions; private medical insurance required
Living or Working in Japan
Living in Japan full time needs a residence status based on what you will do here: employment, family ties or running a business. Owning property does not count towards any of them.
The Business Manager status, for people running a company in Japan, was tightened on 16 October 2025. It now generally requires capital of JPY 30 million or more, at least one full-time employee, Japanese at around B2 level held by the applicant or a full-time employee, and three years of management experience or a relevant degree. A home generally cannot double as the office. Permanent residence is a separate, long-term application.
These applications are handled by immigration specialists such as gyoseishoshi lawyers, and it is worth speaking to one before a purchase if relocation is part of the plan.
Which Route Fits Your Plan
| Your plan | Usual route |
|---|---|
| Second home, several visits a year | Visa exemption (up to 90 days per visit) |
| Half a year or more in Japan, not working | Long stay for sightseeing and recreation |
| Working remotely from Japan for a few months | Digital nomad |
| Running a business in Japan | Business Manager |
| Moving to Japan for work or family | The residence status for that job or family tie |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does buying property in Japan give you a visa?
No, buying property in Japan does not by itself give you a visa, and owning property does not count towards any residence status. Living in Japan full time needs a residence status based on what you will do here: employment, family ties or running a business. Japan is, however, one of the easiest countries in the world to visit, and many foreign owners use a home here as a second base.
How long can a foreign property owner stay in Japan without a visa?
Japan has visa-exemption arrangements with 74 countries and regions. Most of their citizens can stay up to 90 days per visit, and citizens of the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and a few others up to 6 months with an extension. A new period of stay is granted on each arrival, but short-term stay is a visitor status, and long visits back to back can lead to questions on arrival.
Can I stay in Japan for six months or longer as a foreigner without working there?
The long stay for sightseeing and recreation status is for citizens of visa-exempt countries aged 18 or over with savings of JPY 30 million or more (a couple may combine), for six months, renewable to one year, and a spouse may come too. A digital nomad status also exists for remote workers with annual income of JPY 10 million or more, for six months and not renewable.
What are the requirements for Japan's Business Manager visa after the 2025 change?
The Business Manager status was tightened on 16 October 2025. It now generally requires capital of JPY 30 million or more, at least one full-time employee, Japanese at around B2 level held by the applicant or a full-time employee, and three years of management experience or a relevant degree. A home generally cannot double as the office.
Do I need a visa to visit Japan from the US, UK, China or India?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand need no visa for stays up to 90 days, and UK, German, Austrian and Swiss citizens can extend to 6 months. Mainland China and India require a visa, though an online eVISA is available for many short visits. Rules depend on nationality and passport type, and permission to land is decided at the border.
Sources
General information as of September 2026, not immigration or legal advice. Rules change and depend on each person's circumstances; no visa or residence outcome is guaranteed.
General information only, not legal, tax or investment advice.