House hunting in Japan | Americans finding their Japanese home pt 1! 

Hey, new viewer here. Welcome to Japan! Love your smiley family and hope that you found the right house for you. Just for your future or for someone else who are thinking of moving to Japan, there are things you should watch out for. ①Make sure to check the house when it's raining and at night time, because you will be walking, riding bikes, or taking buses a lot more than in your countries. Especially if you have children who go to local schools, they will be walking home, and during winter time, sun set is around 5pm. (Many junior high and high school kids attend committee or clubs and they tend to come back late. Others go to tutoring schools and/or take private lessons like piano, swimming, etc.) ②Window are important factor. If the window is single glass, you can easily get condensation and mold. There are mosquitoes and cockroaches in summer time, so screen windows are must. ③Extra fees uprise when renting a house. 敷金 (shikikin) is a security deposit, just in case you destroy something. You can get a refund when leaving. 礼金 (reikin) is a key money, a fee giving to the landowner in order to "thank them for letting us rent the house." This fee will not be coming back. Some areas have 自治会 (jichikai) or 町内会 (chounaikai), which are neighborhood associations. They require you to "join them", meaning you gotta pay them for something like collecting your garbages, joining local festivals, and so on. Not all rental houses have these fees, so choose wisely. I think I made you scared😂, but as a person who lived in US and UK and visited many other countries, I am more satisfied and feel safe raising my children here. I hope you can feel the same way too. Looking forward to your next video❤

House viewings in different countries are sooo interesting to me! I am from Germany and have lived in both England and Ireland before, but this is a completely different experience! Thanks so much for sharing! 😍

That is so exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Noah sure is growing up fast!! Her crawling is so fast! She will be walking soon. Blessing on your journey. Thanks for taking us along.

Whaaaaa! I want to know! The view of Fuji and that big terrace/balcony was amazing. Having an actual garden would be amazing, too. I can´t decide whether I like the more westernized-looking houses better or the ones that look like straight out of an old-fashioned animé. You are right about all the other factors that have more to do with location than the house itself. How much of a commute are you factoring in? Good luck!

All these written instructions in the houses😛 I would prefer the houses with yard or garden.

Views like Mt. Fuji are not a factor. After a while you don't notice it any more. The most iportant factors are the layout, like how many steps you have to negotiate daily, the arrangement of rooms and storage, does your yard fill up with leaves, preferably from the neighbor, how to get into the garage and from there with the groceries ino the pantry. And how close it is to walking/hiking, traffic from thoroughfares ennerving you etc.

So interesting to see and such a variety. I think I would have been chosen something with the most light inside. Whatever you have chosen, the most important thing is that you are happy with it!

First, I'm surprised that there are so many empty houses ready for occupation. None of the houses in this video really grabbed me, so if it were me choosing, I'd say, well, I'm only going to be here for two-plus years anyway. But nothing came close to the lovely house you had in Germany. It's surely got to be the commute, shopping and schooling that are the deciding factors, though with so many houses to view, it must be a nightmare to choose one.

I really liked that little cute garden, but I have to watch the video again, to see which house it belonged to. 😃 Hopefully in the meantime you have comfortably settled in the house you have chosen. Just love watching Willa and Noa, cherish the moments, they grow up so fast (my two daughters are now 24 and 26). Many greetings from Germany. 🌷

It's super rare for japanese homes to have an actual oven so tthat's a big +!!! EDIT: Good luck on getting the house! Daumen sind gedrückt!

Thanks for bringing us viewers along (always love house-hunter videos :-) ), and seems like lots of good choices. Was surprised to see a sauna in one of them, and that view of Mt. Fuji from the bathroom was jaw-dropping! More ovens than I expected, as many apartments in Tokyo just have the fish grill and stove top. As we love modern, some things we looked for were: Auto-filling bathtub (one button and it will heat it to the perfect temperature), dishwasher (small, but they're very efficient), garburator/sink disposal (rarer, but amazingly convenient), new washlet toilet (we can't live without it now), ice maker in the fridge (Germany seemed to hate ice makers, but we love ice in drinks), screens on windows (helps keep out the bugs in the hotter months), and a short walk to a convenience store. Often people have to buy their own curtains, fridges and washing machines, but if they're included that makes it easier. Excited to see what you choose next time! Hope you can get some good beach access 🙂

Love that they actually have closets

wow thank you so much for uploading this video. I'm totally new to the Japanese culture and everything is so interesting to me! I'm looking forward to more vlogs!

I think location is very important. There is a saying in German: "You can change anything in a house except for its location - Man kann an einem Haus alles ändern, außer der Lage". Good luck!

OMG so many awesome houses. I fully understand why this has been a nervewrecking hunt! They are so different from European houses but still sooo fascinating in their unique Japanese way, espacially the more traditional ones with the tatami rooms and rice paper shutters and so on. But also the modern ones look so awesome and some of the balconies / little gardens were so wonderful. And what have we got now? The first "Our Story to Tell" video ending with a real cliff hanger! LOL. I am so excited to find out which one you have chosen in the end! :)

The windows in many Japanese houses take some getting used to. They are often closed with blinds or opaque. The walls are similarly crappy as in the USA. There is often no proper heating either. Nevertheless, there are some really nice houses in your footage.

The sound you put as a background is fantastic.

I'm amazed how big those houses are. I expected them to be significantly smaller

a bathtub with a view on Mount Fuji. WOW.

I loved the last one with the white cupboards and such 🤍🤍🤍

Very interesting houses. My favourit was the house with the beautiful view where Tener first said maybe this is the one. The house which you choosed seems a little dark insind but still beautiful! Japan looks very nice and interesting!🙏🤗🩵🧡💙

Wow how fun to find a home. Cannot wait for you guys to let us know which one. Till then take care and be safe. Thank you again for sharing your journey with us !!!!

Very difficult to pick the right one!! As long it has a washlet (spraying toilet) and a nice view......wow!!!! Good luck!!!

always sunny over there. I am kinda jealous.

Thanks so much for taking us with you. So exciting! ❤

I understand that any Japanese guests will appreciate your family's willingness to shed shoes inside the abode. However, they also have 'toilet slippers' that cut down on stuff getting tracked into the rest of the abode's floors (and are worn in no other room). Something to consider whether to invest in for the guests' sake and/or wanting to preserve the floors. You seem to have found somewhat larger abodes than many families there live in but I know which ever place you choose, you will make it your own family home! Good luck with the search!

Thank you for taking us with you on this journey! It is so interesting to see the housing concept in different countries. Hope you ended up with "the one"!

Happy to see, you have found a new family place! Hope you will make lovely memories there... Enjoy your time in Japan! Take care. Sending lots of love to you guys. ❤

Hallo guten Tag Herr Taner - Frau Risa und kinder😊....oder Kunichuwa! Mein name ist Joyce, ich bin Filipina😊 (of course from Philippines)...when I arrived here in Deutschland last quarter of 2021 and at the same time scrolling YT I accidentally drawn my attention n your thumbnail...were you guys new in Deutschland that time too until I subscribed you. ....anyway😅, my suggestion to you guys that you are now hunting house to live in Japan maybe you need to consider if the house can withstand if there's earthquake, the view of the ocean and mountain is really nice but maybe you need to consider if there's tsunami - where you should run or go when natural calamities would occur...in other words not only you are sooo excited with a comfortable and a furnished house (meaning with complete kitchen appliances, storages, shower rooms). Maybe ( I suggest) ...consider too if there's emergency you guys can get out from the house easily....stairs for me not good since you have baby or kinder (with stroller), if you'll have your future car must be accessible and easy to go out from garage, house must also be close to Taner's workplace and future kinder schule, must close to markets and hospitals and pharmacies. I am just concern ...because like my home country, Japan is also belongs to "ring of fire". Family must be prioritized first when it comes to safety. But just as I said...I am only suggesting... Wish you luck n your new life in Japan ....danke schön oder arrigato ❤ from 🇩🇪 😊

A lot of folding doors. And every one of the toilets a technical wonder 👍👍👍

N ice cliffhanger... Until next week...👍🤘🤣

Seeing current single houses in Japan was so interesting! I’m Japanese, but I’ve lived in the U.S. for years. I’ve never lived in a single house in Japan. I really miss a Japanese bath! There’s a control panel with a button for temperature, water volume, timer, reheating, etc. Many Japanese people take a shower and then soak in a bath in the evening every day. BTW, probably you two know, but PewDiePie (I didn’t know him until recently) also currently lives in Japan with his wife & baby.

I was so surprised by the Palms in the Streets. I´ve never thought about Palms in Japan 😳. It must be a ride to find a house in Japan , Love from Cologne

Never Seen more or less modern Japanese houses or flats. Very different. From the video perspective I found many of them narrow even from a European view.. though I know that Americans might have much bigger spaces than us Europeans.. but still this applies foremost to hallways and the freaking narrow toilets.. a sumo ringer probably got stuck in there… and mostly no gardens.. or I missed them. I am excited to know what you eventually found. With two toddlers it’s a bit of a challenge too with greens playgrounds facilities etc.. what a contrast to your Oberpfälzer area.. I am a Stadtkind anyway but I like a cozy neighborhood even if it’s in the city.. have fun. Greets from winter Germany

So interesting to see the different houses! I guess I would have taken the one with the cute traditional garden - I really like to dive into the traditions of a new culture, and when I go to another country, I want to live as true to the culture as possible. Btw, it's common in Japan to take a shower and wash your body before taking a bath, so you step into the tub clean. Bathing is for relaxing, not for cleaning. That's why shower and tub are a unit. Most Japanese people take a bath every day, and then they clean the whole bathroom after bathing, so everything is clean and ready for the next day. Looking forward to see more of you getting to know the Japanese culture!

Wow that so interesting seeing Japannees houses Just the Different lay outs amount of Rooms they had etc. didn’t realise they didn’t come with an oven at least a few did have thats a plus 🤞😊 Looking forward to to hear which house you have Gone for 😜 Have a Good weekend 🥰take care

I have never really been interested in Japan but since watching your videos there I definitely have gained some interests. I personally probably would pick the 1st house as far as looks and the view on the balcony. But the one with the garden was really lovely too! But darn what a cliff hanger lol

Japan is one of few countries where housing costs isn't straight insanity. Even the greater Tokyo area is pretty affordable

I absolutely love Willa’s ( sorry if I’m spelling it wrong)laugh it’s so cute 🥰 blessings from Oklahoma 💜💜💯

All the houses already had a kitchen installed, even including details like a sink and an oven. What an interesting concept. 😂

I also liked that cute garden, but I'm not really into traditional, Japanese, living culture, so I would choose a modern one. - There is a lot to consider though.... The distance to work, stores, kindergarten, safety to play for the kids, and so on. I'm looking forward to the reveal. 😄

I like them all. I would probably take the light-flooded one with the open air bathtub, even if the neighbors would then know what I look like. Take care of yourself even if you drive on the wrong side of the road.

The last house is the best one IMO

Great video want more Japan content

When you're in a new place, everything is always exciting at first, but that goes away after 1-2 months. I don't know what it is about Japanese interior design, but a lot of it always reminds me of retirement homes. Another tip from me, always ask if anyone has died in the house before. Haunted houses are no joke and are particularly common in Japan where many die stjll at home..

Yes, spaces are narrow in Japan - everywhere. But it may lead to a new kind of thinking: what do I really need to experience a fulfilling life ? Compact houses or tiny houses are still of growing interest also here in Europe. . .

I love house hunting, even when I'm not looking for a house. Japan has so many things to offer, from tropical islands to mountains and forests, to concrete jungles. When my wife and I were looking for a home in Japan, schools were the priority. I didn't want our kids to go to Japanese schools. I have nothing against Japanese schools, but our family is "international," and we thought it best to send our kids to an international school with an English curriculum. This greatly narrowed down our choices, for better or worse. We ended up settling in Roppongi, which is probably the most "international" district in Japan, and so far, we have had a great time here. We have friends who come from places around the world, and there is always something to do or see. On the negative side, Roppongi real estate makes the Bay Area, or even NYC's upper east side look like bargains.

These houses are so much bigger than the ones I have seen in Tokyo. BTW, in September I could practice German with Willa and show you around in Tokyo if you are interested...

No comparison to your former nice House in Germany 🇩🇪.

Wish You a great time in Japan.

"the biggest thing is how we feel about the house" Trying to explain that to architects for years, but it has been like talking to a wall.

Happy you get a place. Walkability is an issue because it is not perceived as an issue by Japanese, so nothing is done. I don’t know for you but I found easy to rent (and buy) places in Japan. There are a lot of places on the market and at a proper/cheap price.

17:15 - omg - some of these houses / flats bathrooms and kitchens remind me of my grannies bathroom and kitchen, but actually my grannies were more modern😮, and in fact she has not had renovated hers for 50+ years.... So they are either stupidly old or odd looking.

Mount Fuji or sea side?? I think sea side is better for the new house . Have a nice time. I am from germany near Frankfurt am main. .

Brexit also tanked the trade adviser service industry. Before they have been in great demand by countries like Vietnam. But now not so much anymore. The track record of home country is like a recommendation letter. UK's one ist lately in the ...

Another interesting video but to be honest all these houses felt cold and lifeless, not one felt like a home. Even when you have your furniture in it will still feel like just somewhere to live and not really a place to enjoy and relax. I'm looking forward to following your journey in Japan but up to now your videos confirm my previous thoughts that Japan is somewhere to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. I'd have stayed in Germany and carried on exploring Europe more. It will be interesting to see if you can build up some sort of relationship with the locals or if your social life, and Willa's and Noa's experiences will be centerd on the American Base. Whereas in Germany you were more immersed in the culture and Willa had German friends.

I am from Canada. I watch a lot of Japanese videos. It is always good to do research. I would love to go to Japan.

What are the rental prices of these homes?

so cool. nun sind zwei meiner abos in japan. vielleicht können die reutters euch in der einen oder anderen sache helfen. die blogs ähneln sich, vor allem, da ihr nun auch in japan seid. wäre spannend, wenn ihr sie mal treffen würdet. viel spass beim entdecken von "life in japan"

Japanese houses are a hoot. Especially for american tastes and compared to your last residence. I could never get a clear answer why the japanese are opposed to proper windows, though.

What are you working to live in so different countries? How can you afford to spend so much time with travelling?

i'm lookin at houses in osaka right now and my biggest complaints is why is the bath tub on the first floor and why is there no toilet on the 3rd floor where the bedrooms are? japan staircases are the scariest stairs for us big footed westerners. they're steep and the steps aren't wide enough for our long feet. Its almost like climbing a ladder! So in the middle of the night you have to navigate these stairs half asleep to use the toilet. Don't get me started on the lack of insulation and rooms the shape of shipping containers with no windows. Their only saving grace is that they're dirt cheap. Oh and that oven in the first house is a very rare item indeed. 99.9% of the houses here only have fish fryers

All houses are well maintained with nice patio, however those toilets, well at least you'll save money on toilet paper..

What are u doing for living?

What do you both do for a living? Is it just RU-vid?

How much is the house in Japan, US dollars?

Shin'ainaru minasan, kon'nichiwa. Ima wa sutoresu no ōi jiki o sugoshite iru to omoimasuga, go takō o kokoroyori oinori shite orimasu. Mijikai futari no jishin ni michita sugata o miru koto ga dekite ureshīdesu. U~ira wa mite iru no ga oitsukanai hodo kyūsoku ni seichō shite ori, noa wa itsumo kagayaite ite, itsumo kōkishin ōseide waratte imasu. Nihon de tanoshī jikan o sugoshite kudasai! Maikeru/ hanōbā

Why don't you stay on the base?

Can you share the price?!

Sorry, I miss Germany

Nicer in Germany is not having all these wiring/electric cables out, it kinda ruins the view.. The houses are kinda werid too, very old/old fashioned stuff and then some very minimalistic things I don't think fits together

Where can I sign the petition for you to go back to Germany? 🇩🇪

im so confused??? how do you live in Japan and not know what to expect? like she seems surprised about the unit bath! thats literally standard across Asia, its no like a Japanese secret @@, anyway, considering they seem to know 0 Nihongo im going to guess that they wont last very long in Nihon.

They are small, close to each other and dark. Don’t envy you guys. Germany was so much nicer good luck

you also have to take financial possibilities into account. Most Japanese people have to live in "shoeboxes", which are also overpriced. So, these house hunting are already exceptional luxury..

This is far from the Scandinavian house standard. I thought Japan was a rich country.

When I see your toilet I feel like I'm in the Middle Ages.

Relator????? What's that? I know what a realtor is, but relator?? no idea

No offense, but to be honest, i don't like anything you showed here. It looks all like very little space, tiny, small, cramped, tight and narrow. And the style...not my style...old, conservative and like the 60s...1860s not 1960s. ;-) Appliances looked also mostly like very old and rusty. I prefer modern houses and lots of space. But that seems to be rare in japan. I wouldn't wanna live there anyway. Not my type of culture and too many people on too little space. What i like though, is the shower...that the whole bathroom is basically a shower. Great idea, i love that. I am sorry, just my opinion. But you can and will enjoy your time hopefully. Japan just isnt right for me, but so are probably more than 100 countries, i wouldn't even wanna visit as a tourist, let alone live there. And the prices...450.000 yen are almost 3000 euro, so over $3000 per month. Thanks, but no thanks. 😂

Бесполезно. Где это место? Сколько стоит?