Shu Matsuo Post
I help people buy and sell homes in Japan
I’m Shu, TED speaker, educator, real estate investor, founder of Post FI, co-founder of AkiyaHub.
Checkout the links below to learn more about how I can help YOU turn your Japanese real estate dreams into reality, or subscribe to watch the real-life stories of hundreds of others who I have helped already.
Shu Matsuo Post
Someone just gave away a house for free, and it wasn’t in the middle of nowhere. 📍🗺️
I found a listing for an abandoned home with land valued at 2.3 million yen—and it’s only 30 minutes away from Nagoya, Japan’s third-largest city. Usually, "free" means "isolated," but this house sits right on the edge of the urban sprawl. By the time I found the post, the application was already closed.
I went to Gifu to find out why someone would give away a property this close to a major hub. Would you have taken the risk and applied?
New video out now!
https://youtu.be/jboHNM2daHQ
23 hours ago | [YT] | 110
View 2 replies
Shu Matsuo Post
Why choose between a tiny Tokyo apartment and a remote rural hut when you can have the best of both? 🚅🏔️
Saitama, Kanagawa, and Chiba offer the "Middle Path", massive Akiya potential, nature at your doorstep, and a commute short enough for a daily Tokyo office run.
Read more about it here:
akiyahub.com/application/articles/671e8ce9e6118730…
If you moved to Greater Tokyo, which "neighbor" prefecture fits your vibe best?
1 day ago | [YT] | 41
View 7 replies
Shu Matsuo Post
Ready to stop scrolling and start signing? 📝🏡
Buying an Akiya doesn't have to be a mystery. Moving from browsing viral listings to owning a home in Japan is easier when you have a clear plan. It starts with lifestyle goals and ends at the closing table. In between, you’ll master due diligence, straightforward negotiations, and Japan’s transparent legal system.
Here is your 10-step path to making a "ghost house" your new Japanese home.
Read about it here:
akiyahub.com/application/articles/68d08c8afcea9c4c…
2 days ago | [YT] | 240
View 6 replies
Shu Matsuo Post
What makes a family leave everything in Colorado for a new start in Japan? 🏔️➡️🏙️
Meet Mark and Sonoko. For them, buying a home was just the anchor for a much bigger life change. We’re heading to Yokohama to see the house they chose and to talk about what it’s really like to relocate your entire life to Japan. It’s a story about choosing a location that fits the life you want to live, rather than just finding a place to stay.
The move, the house, and the reality of life in Yokohama. New video out now!
https://youtu.be/KT1kQDPK5_8
3 days ago | [YT] | 171
View 4 replies
Shu Matsuo Post
Can you buy a house in Japan and move in tomorrow? 🏠🇯🇵
The answer is a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation. While anyone can own property here, the deed to your house isn't a golden ticket to a visa.
Read more about how the system actually works:
akiyahub.com/application/articles/67778dd9fafcfa34…
4 days ago | [YT] | 194
View 25 replies
Shu Matsuo Post
Is your dream home a rustic countryside Akiya or a sleek city condo? 🏯🏙️
A detached house gives you 100% control over renovations and land, but you're also 100% responsible for every repair. A condo trades that freedom for a managed system where maintenance is handled for you at a monthly cost.
See what make sense for your life here:
akiyahub.com/application/articles/69ead8e9dd93a41b…
If you were buying in Japan today, which "ownership logic" appeals to you more?
5 days ago | [YT] | 34
View 8 replies
Shu Matsuo Post
Thinking about a ¥0 house? It’s a great way to get your foot in the door, but "free" in Japan usually means the seller is just ready to pass the baton, and the bills, to someone new. 🏡💴
We’ve all seen the viral headlines, but the sticker price is just the beginning of the story. Owners often give these away to offload the tax burden, but years of neglect mean you’ll be investing in a new roof, wiring, or plumbing rather than a down payment.
Even with a ¥0 price tag, you still have to pay registration taxes, administrative fees, and judicial scrivener costs to officially get the deed in your name.
Read more about it here:
akiyahub.com/application/articles/671e8d0be6118730…
6 days ago | [YT] | 181
View 2 replies
Shu Matsuo Post
What happens to a Japanese house when nobody is looking? It’s not pretty. 🏚️📉
I sat down with Sugimoto-san to discuss why so many foreign-owned properties in Japan are at risk. The thesis is simple: an unattended home is a deteriorating home. We’re breaking down what actually goes wrong when management is missing and how to ensure your investment actually lasts.
If you’re thinking about buying, you need to see what happens when the "honeymoon phase" ends.
New episode out now!
https://youtu.be/tejTxApfY9k
1 week ago | [YT] | 114
View 1 reply
Shu Matsuo Post
Why does searching for an Akiya in English feel like a dead end? 🕵️♂️🎌
The truth is, the "good" listings aren't hidden, they just aren't built for international buyers. Here is how to break through the "English listing wall" and find the homes that local agents usually keep behind closed doors.
Read more about it here:
akiyahub.com/application/articles/68d0de99181f048d…
1 week ago | [YT] | 85
View 2 replies
Shu Matsuo Post
Don't let the "Cultural Property" label scare you away from your dream Kominka! 🏯✨
While it sounds intense, these designations are often the key to unlocking repair subsidies and preserving a piece of Japanese history.
Read more about it here:
akiyahub.com/application/articles/6937b0d53a0fabc5…
1 week ago | [YT] | 176
View 0 replies
Load more