What are the essential Japanese vocabulary terms I need to know during the home buying process in Japan?

Hey there! Planning to buy a home in Japan? Congratulations! This is definitely a big deal. Don't worry about the language barrier—everyone feels completely lost at first. I've organized some "high-frequency vocabulary" based on my own hard-earned lessons. Understanding these will give you much more confidence when communicating with agents and reviewing contracts.

Let's go through it step-by-step according to the home-buying process to make it easier for you.

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### Stage 1: Property Search & Viewing

At this stage, you'll mainly interact with online listings or agents, focusing on property information.

| Japanese Term | Pronunciation (Romaji) | English Meaning | Quick Tips (For Understanding) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **不動産** | Fudōsan | Real Estate | The most basic term for real estate. An agency is called a 「不動産会社」(fudōsan-gaisha). |
| **物件** | Bukken | Property/Listing | Any house, apartment, or land you're looking at is called a 「物件」. Agents will ask, "What kind of property are you looking for?" |
| **新築 / 中古** | Shinchiku / Chūko | New Construction / Used | Straightforward: new build or pre-owned property. |
| **一戸建て** | Ikkodate | Detached House | What we'd call a standalone house with land, often including a yard or parking space. |
| **マンション** | Manshon | Apartment (Reinforced Concrete) | Note! ≠ English "Mansion". Refers to modern apartments, usually reinforced concrete with better soundproofing and security. |
| **アパート** | Apāto | Apartment (Wood/Light Steel Frame) | Typically older, low-rise (2-3 stories) wooden or light steel-frame buildings. Usually cheaper than 「マンション」. |
| **内見 / 内覧** | Naiken / Nairan | Property Viewing | Scheduling an in-person viewing with an agent is called 「内見」. |
| **間取り** | Madori | Floor Plan/Layout | You'll see this on all listings. E.g., `3LDK`. |
| **LDK** | Eru-dī-kē | Living/Dining/Kitchen | Core layout term! **L**=Living Room, **D**=Dining Room, **K**=Kitchen. `3LDK` = 3 bedrooms + one combined LDK space. `1K` = 1 bedroom + separate kitchen. |
| **和室 / 洋室** | Washitsu / Yōshitsu | Japanese-style Room / Western-style Room | 「和室」 has tatami flooring. 「洋室」 has wood flooring or carpet. |
| **築年数** | Chikunensū | Building Age | How old the building is. Crucial for valuation and earthquake resistance standards. |
| **駅徒歩〇分** | Eki toho 〇 fun | 〇-minute Walk to Station | Japanese care deeply about this! Legally, 1 minute = 80m, so 10 minutes = 800m. |

### Stage 2: Application & Preliminary Procedures

Once you find a property you like, it's time for the next steps.

| Japanese Term | Pronunciation (Romaji) | English Meaning | Quick Tips (For Understanding) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **購入申込書** | Kōnyū mōshikomisho | Purchase Application Form | Submit this to "reserve" a property after deciding. It shows serious intent but isn't legally binding. |
| **住宅ローン** | Jūtaku rōn | Mortgage/Housing Loan | Your "Mortgage". This term will follow you if you need financing. |
| **事前審査** | Jizen shinsa | Loan Pre-Approval | Banks conduct a preliminary credit check before the contract to estimate your loan amount. Passing this boosts your confidence. |
| **手付金** | Tetsukekin | Earnest Money/Deposit | Paid upon signing the contract (usually 5%-10% of price). Counts toward the total. Non-refundable if you back out; seller pays double if they cancel. |

### Stage 3: Contract & Legal Documents

The most critical stage with serious legal terms.

| Japanese Term | Pronunciation (Romaji) | English Meaning | Quick Tips (For Understanding) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **売買契約書** | Baibai keiyakusho | Sales Contract | The final purchase contract. Legally binding once signed. |
| **重要事項説明書** | Jūyō jikō setsumeisho | Important Matters Explanation | **Super important!** Before signing, a licensed agent (Takken-shi) must read this document aloud word-for-word. It details *everything* about the property—good and bad (e.g., land rights, legal restrictions, incident history). Listen carefully! |
| **宅地建物取引士** | Takuchi tatemono torihikishi | Licensed Real Estate Agent | Shortened to 「宅建士」(Takkenshi). The licensed professional who explains the Important Matters. |
| **印鑑** | Inkan | Seal/Stamp | Contracts in Japan use seals, not signatures. You'll need a registered personal seal (「実印」- jitsuin). |
| **印鑑証明書** | Inkan shōmeisho | Seal Registration Certificate | Issued by city hall to verify your seal's registration. Required for contracts and transfer. |

### Stage 4: Payment & Handover

Almost there—final steps!

| Japanese Term | Pronunciation (Romaji) | English Meaning | Quick Tips (For Understanding) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **諸費用** | Shohiyō | Closing Costs/Miscellaneous Fees | Extra fees beyond the price (e.g., agent fee, taxes, registration). Typically 6%-8% of the price. |
| **仲介手数料** | Chūkai tesūryō | Agent Commission | Paid to the real estate company. Legally capped at "3% of price + ¥60,000 + consumption tax". |
| **登記費用** | Tōki hiyō | Registration Fee | Fee for transferring ownership at the Legal Affairs Bureau (paid to the government and scrivener). |
| **司法書士** | Shihō shoshi | Judicial Scrivener | Legal professional handling registration. Attends the closing to ensure documents/funds are correct and processes the transfer. |
| **決済** | Kessai | Settlement/Final Payment | Final step at the bank: buyer, seller, agent, and scrivener meet. Buyer pays the remaining balance (loan + cash) to the seller. |
| **引き渡し** | Hikiwatashi | Handover | After full payment, the seller hands over the keys (鍵 - kagi). The property is officially yours! |
| **固定資産税** | Kotei shisan zei | Fixed Asset Tax | Annual property tax. An ownership cost—ask about the estimated amount beforehand. |

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**Quick Tips for You:**

1.  **Don't hesitate to ask!** If you don't understand any term, ask your agent immediately. A good agent will explain patiently. Say: `「すみません、この言葉の意味を教えてください。」` (Sumimasen, kono kotoba no imi o oshiete kudasai.)
2.  **Write these terms down.** Keep a cheat sheet or save them on your phone for quick reference during viewings or meetings.
3.  **Pay close attention to key documents.** Especially the 「重要事項説明書」(Important Matters Explanation) and 「売買契約書」(Sales Contract)—every word affects your rights.

Buying property in Japan is a meticulous process, but understanding these key "signposts" will make your journey much smoother. Wishing you the best in finding your dream home!