Own a Ryokan or Hotel in Japan.

Can I own the property outright as a foreigner?

Yes. Japan places no nationality or residency restrictions on real estate ownership. Foreign buyers can hold full freehold title to land and buildings — the same rights as a Japanese national — and no licence is required simply to own.

Source: Chambers — Real Estate 2026 (Japan)

How much does it cost to buy a ryokan or hotel in Japan?

It depends on size, location, condition and the underlying business. Operating ryokan and hotels typically start around ¥60M, with many deals in the ¥100M–¥280M range; whole-house properties, villas and Tokyo condominiums vary more widely. These are market estimates, not guarantees — we share concrete figures for specific properties during the consultation.

Do I need a visa to buy?

No visa is required to purchase or own property in Japan. If you intend to live in Japan and run the business yourself, you'll need an appropriate residence status — typically the Business Manager (経営管理) visa. We can outline the usual paths during the consultation.

Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Is bank financing available for foreign buyers?

Financing from Japanese banks is generally difficult for non-resident and non-permanent-resident buyers, so many of our clients purchase with their own funds. Some overseas banks in Singapore, Hong Kong or Taiwan lend on Japanese property for their own residents, and a Japanese company (GK/KK) can sometimes access domestic business financing. We'll discuss your situation honestly on the call.

What taxes apply when buying, holding or selling a ryokan?

Japan charges a statutory 4% real-estate acquisition tax before any reductions, plus annual fixed-asset and city-planning taxes (around 1.4% and up to 0.3%, depending on the municipality). Capital gains on resale are currently around 39.63% if the property is held five years or less and around 20.315% for longer holds. Non-residents may also face Japanese withholding on rental income and, in some cases, on sale proceeds. We confirm your specific position with licensed tax professionals.

Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (Japan)

What ownership structure should a foreign buyer use — direct, a Japanese company, or GK-TK?

For a single ryokan, hotel or whole-building villa, foreign buyers typically use either direct personal ownership or a Japanese company (GK or KK) — the latter can help with financing and with holding the hotel licence. Larger or fund-style acquisitions use GK-TK or TMK structures. The right choice depends on tax, financing and licence succession, which we map together with your advisors.

Source: JLL / Baker McKenzie — Japan Hotel Investment Guide

Can the ryokan or hotel licence transfer to me when I buy?

It depends on the deal structure. In a simple asset purchase, the ryokan/hotel licence (旅館業 permit) does not pass automatically — the buyer must obtain a new permit, unless a statutory business-transfer procedure is used. Since the 2023 amendment to the Ryokan Business Act, the licence can in some cases be transferred to the buyer through a pre-approved business transfer. In a share purchase, the operating company keeps its licence, staff and contracts — which is why international buyers often prefer share deals. We design each transaction around the licence handover and timing with local counsel.

Source: Hotel Business Act (旅館業法) — Japanese Law Translation

Do you handle paperwork for overseas buyers?

Yes. We coordinate the steps overseas buyers often need help with — foreign-exchange reporting guidance, tax-representative arrangements, domestic contact registration, and hotel-business licence succession — working with licensed professionals where required. Requirements depend on your residency, the property, and the transaction structure.

Do non-resident buyers have to report the purchase or disclose nationality?

As of 2026, certain acquisitions of Japanese real estate by non-residents may trigger reporting obligations under Japan's foreign-exchange regulations — typically a post-acquisition report — and a buyer's nationality or residency status may need to be recorded in the property-registration documents. The exact scope depends on your residency and the transaction, so we check this case by case with licensed legal counsel.

Source: Ministry of Finance — Foreign Exchange Act (FEFTA)

How is REYADO different from a traditional M&A broker?

A traditional M&A broker typically sells one bundled, fixed-fee package covering a full due-diligence scope. REYADO is a licensed real-estate broker that unbundles this: we scope the financial, labor and tax due diligence your specific deal needs, assemble the licensed specialists who carry it out, and coordinate the transaction — so you optimise and pay only for the diligence required. The specialists perform the reviews; REYADO scopes and coordinates.

What types of properties do you handle — onsen ryokan, city hotels, or machiya?

We focus on three segments for foreign buyers: traditional onsen ryokan and resort inns (Hakone, Izu, Kyoto and the Mt. Fuji area); operating city and business hotels in Tokyo, Osaka and other urban centres, bought mainly for income; and Kyoto machiya and whole-building villas. Some of these are off-market and shared privately after an initial conversation. Tell us which segment fits your plan and we will send matching options.

Where can I read the full steps for licence succession and the FEFTA report?

We have two detailed English guides. A step-by-step buyer’s checklist covers inn-business (ryokan-gyo) licence succession and the post-closing Foreign Exchange Act (FEFTA) acquisition report — including the joint-approval sequence, who files the FEFTA report and by when, and a working cost breakdown — and a broader overview of how a foreigner buys a ryokan or small hotel in Japan. Prefer to talk it through? We can also walk you through these steps directly on a call. Every figure and deadline should be confirmed with qualified professionals before acting.