Would YOU buy a condo in Japan? Here’s Why I Didn’t.

Have you ever thought of buying a place in Japan? I have... I came to Japan planning to buy a condo — but after seeing how much property prices had risen in just one year, I changed my mind. In this video, I talk about my experience looking at Japanese real estate in 2026, why I decided to hold off on buying, and some of the options available if you're considering buying a home in Japan yourself. I also explain the differences between a Japanese danchi (団地), apāto (アパート) and mansion (マンション), and take a look at Japan's famously cheap akiya (空き家) — abandoned or vacant houses that can sometimes be purchased for remarkably little money, but may require a huge amount of renovation. If you're considering retiring in Japan, living in Japan part-time, or buying Japanese property as a foreigner, hopefully my experience gives you a few things to think about before putting your money down. And yes — for everyone who made it through my previous marathon video and told me "You owe me a beer," I'm working on that too. I've started a free email list where I'll announce future meetups, including possible meetups in Jomtien/Pattaya and Da Nang. SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE EMAIL LIST: https://thecodingtravelbug.substack.c... 0:00 Intro 2:00 Why I Wanted a Danchi (団地) 3:39 The Condo I Almost Bought 5:08 Japan Property Prices Are Rising 6:45 The Neighborhood Has Changed 9:49 Would This Actually Be a Good Investment? 11:21 What About Japan's Cheap Akiya? (空き家) 14:35 Danchi vs Apartments vs Mansions in Japan 17:21 Why Danchi Can Still Be a Good Condo Choice 19:07 How to Find if Japan Is Right for You 21:26 Wrap up. I have a Substack now! 👉 Subscribe for more real-life insights on living, working and retiring abroad. 🔔 Like & comment if you've lived in either Japan, Thailand or Vietnam—which one feels more like home to you, and why?