Property Type

There are several types of apartment building in Japan.

Apartment you probably imagine is called Mansion. If it is for rent, it is called Chintai Mansion. Chintai means 'for rent'. If it is for sale, it is called Bunjo Mansion.
Mostly this type of building tends to have three or more stories, and be made of a
steel framework and reinforced concrete. Rent is typically higher than the
'apato'(アパート).

Apato (アパート) is lower grade building than Mansion. This type of building is made of wood, or light steel. It is usually only two stories or less.

A single house for rent is called Kashiya (貸家). There are major 2 types of measure for buying a new single house. One is Tateuri (建売). Tateuri is sold by a development company or real estate company who buy land and build a house. The buyer can not require them to change the layout but minor change such as changing the color or material for wall or floor.
Another meaure would be Chumon Jutaku (注文住宅). The land owner place an order with a house maker. Offcourse the orderer can decide the layout or other details consulliting with a designer. A house maker offer you the price at the price per Tsubo (3.3sqm). The standard price for Chumon Jutaku is 300,000~600,000 JPY per 1 tsubo. If you want to build a house with 50 tsubo, and price for tsubo is 500,000JPY, the building cost would be 25,000,000JPY.
Normally this price does not include the exterior work such as porch or garden.

If you are not particular with a new property, you can buy a second hand apartment or single house. A second hand apartment is called Chuko Mansion. A second hand single house is called Chuko Kodate.


-A brand new mansion for sale is equipped with a latest function for security system of kitchen equipments. Some has a fufilling facilities such as private park, day care, gym or reception service.
-When you buy a second hand property, you have to be careful about the property right ant the condition offered by the seller. Also you should check how much it would cost for the management fee, ShuzenTsumitateKin (reserve fund for the repairment) and parking lot.
-If you are trying to buy a Tateuri, you should confirm with real estate company how flexible you can require your request of them.