Buying a house in Japan is just step one. What happens next? This week, Joey and Take sit down with Akane Hoshino, the operations lead behind their new post-purchase support program, Mokomoko Buyers Club. Akane has spent the past year helping foreign homeowners navigate the parts of Japanese life that don't show up in any listing: utility setup, tax paperwork, and neighborhood customs. Key Takeaways: - Setting up gas, water, and electric in Japan often requires a Japanese bank account, in-person scheduling, and multiple phone calls, and the process varies by company and by region - Foreign homeowners who aren't tax residents of Japan need a designated tax representative to handle property tax communication with the government - Neighbor greeting gifts are a real and important custom when moving into a Japanese home, and food is not always the safest choice - Priest blessings (typically Shinto) are a common and meaningful step for new homeowners, especially in older houses - Internet setup can take up to a month through providers like NTT, which is why the team now ships every customer a Starlink Mini instead In This Episode Akane's international upbringing across Japan, the U.S., Singapore, and the Philippines, and how it shapes her work with foreign clients - A breakdown of the "core five" post-purchase services: utility setup, bill payment, tax representation, neighbor greetings, and priest blessings - Real client stories, including Joey's own frustrating internet installation experience - Why the team switched to Starlink Mini for faster, English-language internet setup - Akane's picks for where she'd buy a house in Japan outside Tokyo: Fukushima and Aomori Resources Mentioned - Ikea Mart / Mokomoko Buyers Club post-purchase program - Starlink Mini for satellite internet setup Connect With Us Looking for a home in Japan? Browse over half a million English-friendly listings on our site, or reach out with questions and feedback by email. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok for property tips, home-buying updates, and renovation progress. If you found this episode helpful, leave us a five-star rating. It takes five seconds and helps other foreign buyers find the show
