Costs to note when buying a house in Japan

Here are some of the main costs to note:

1. Real estate agent fee: In Japan, you typically work with a real estate agent to buy a property, and the agent's fee is usually around 3% of the purchase price, plus consumption tax.
2. Property registration fee: When you buy a property in Japan, you are required to register the transfer with the local government, and this incurs a registration fee. The fee is typically around 60,000 yen for a property worth 10 million yen, but can vary depending on the value of the property.
3. Property acquisition tax: This tax is paid by the buyer and is based on the purchase price of the property. The tax rate is 3% of the purchase price for properties worth up to 50 million yen, and 4% for properties worth more than 50 million yen.
4. Stamp duty: This is a tax that is paid by the buyer when the property is registered. The rate is 0.4% of the purchase price.
5. Legal fees: You may need to pay legal fees if you hire a lawyer to help you with the purchase process. The fees can vary depending on the lawyer and the complexity of the transaction.
6. Property inspection fee: It's a good idea to have the property inspected before you buy it, and this will typically incur a fee of a few thousand yen.
7. Moving costs: Once you have bought the property, you will need to move your belongings in. The cost of moving can vary depending on the distance and the amount of belongings you have.

It's important to factor in these additional costs when considering buying a property in Japan, as they can add up to a significant amount.