This month marks the 21st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, in which 7,400 people died, prompting a nation-wide reassessment of building regulations. Since Japan is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, minor tremors can be felt an almost daily occurrence somewhere in Japan. Even more recently, Japan experienced significant earthquakes in Kumamoto in 2016 and in Fukushima in 2011. On the up side, the Great Hanshin earthquake was a wake-up call for Japan’s national preparedness authorities, and ever since Japan has been on a mission to improve building codes, earthquake preparedness, and disaster reduction. Structural Safety-Stringent Building Codes As a general rule, residential and commercial construction …
Get Answers about Owning, Renting and Living in Greater Kobe. Please submit your comments to core8eight@gmail.com. Dear Rica, We want to buy a house in or near Kobe. But after all the devastation we have seen on TV after the Kumamoto earthquake last year, we realized we needed to learn a lot more about earthquake insurance in Japan. We do not even know if it exists or not or how much it costs. Mary B. Dear Mary, That is definitely a good question! In Japan, earthquake insurance is generally an optional insurance to fire insurance. This means that you need to get fire insurance first. This is true for homeowners and …
Megamiyama (目神山), Nishinomiya’s hidden gem, is an idyllic location for those who want it all—the excitement of city life and the tranquility of country life. Megamiyama is a stone’s throw away from the expansive greenery and hiking trails of Mt. Kabuto Shinrin Park. Yet it is only a 30-minute commute to Takarazuka, Umeda, and Sannomiya. The area is served by the Hankyu train line. The nearby upscale neighborhoods of Koyoen and Nishinomiya Kitaguchi, which ranked as the best neighborhood in the Kansai in SUUMO’s 2016 survey, offer shopping convenience and a variety of trendy eateries. Bargain land prices have made Megamiyama a mecca for those interested in building their dream …
Get Answers about Owning, Renting and Living in Greater Kobe. Please submit your comments to core8eight@gmail.com. Dear Rica: We want to rent an apartment around Kobe, but are concerned about how much money we need to budget for. Can you give us the scoop on this? Confused in Kansai Dear Confused, Your confusion is very understandable. A tenant’s initial out-of-pocket expenses can add up pretty quickly. Below is a short list of fees that a tenant may need to pay before moving in. However, they can vary based on the location and type of apartment, so be sure to check with the landlord or real estate agent. First month’s rent—You will …
Scenario: You recently moved into the apartment of your dreams—but suddenly you can get no hot water in the Japanese bath and you have no clue how to program the timer on your A/C. Even worse, you speak no Japanese and your landlord (or the concierge) can manage a perky “HARO” at most. Below is some Japanese vocabulary to help you talk to your landlord (or the concierge or management company). Tips: Write the English meaning of buttons oe machines on post-its and affix them to the machines for easy reference. Remember to give your landlord or concierge a small gift for the New Year. Basic Vocabulary air conditioner エアコン …
Since the black ships first arrived in Japan, foreigners have been fascinated with the elegance and sensuality of Japan’s bathing rituals in what was otherwise an austere country with ascetic practices. Nothing exemplifies this better than bathing in a hinoki-buro, a wooden bathtub made of Japanese cypress. The passion of Italian (and Japan-licensed) architect Iacopo Torrini for spreading the gospel about hinoki-buro and preserving the integrity of Japanese craftsmanship has coincided with a boom in the West for health-related products and in Japan for restoring traditional Japanese structures such as kominka and machiya. Below is a summary of our interview with Iacopo. Preserving Architectural Heritage Soon after arriving in Japan …
Get Answers about Owning, Renting and Living in Greater Kobe. Please submit your comments to core8eight@gmail.com. Dear Rica, I plan to rent an apartment in Japan, but was told that I need a guarantor even though I have a job. What kind of person should I ask to be my guarantor? What happens if I cannot find a guarantor? Clueless Dear Clueless, Unfortunately, guarantors are required in most cases. This is a person or company that acts as the insurance for your rental contract, promising to cover any rent or damage costs if you can’t pay or suddenly terminate your lease. Your safest bet is your Japanese employer or a Japanese …
Kobe has long enjoyed a vibrant, cultural heritage which has attracted foreign tourists and long-term expats alike since Kobe first opened its port. In particular, Kobe has long been known as a jazz mecca. In fact, the first Japanese jazz band was formed in Kobe in 1923! And Louis Armstrong, the king of jazz, visited Kobe twice with his orchestra. Kobe continues to claim fame for jazz through the annual Kobe Jazz Festival, held each fall. However, for those of you who missed out on Kobe’s jazz festival this year, consider checking out some of Kobe’s famous live jazz hot spots below: ♫ Sone The granddaddy of Kobe’s live jazz …
Get Answers about Owning, Renting and Living in Greater Kobe. Please submit your comments to core8eight@gmail.com. Dear Rica, My husband is being transferred to the Kansai area this fall. We want to rent a house or largish condo in the Kobe area. What neighborhoods do you recommend for a family with 2 kids and an active mom with limited Japanese skills? Desperate in Tokyo Dear Desperate, Welcome to the Kansai area! A good jumping off place for your search is Rokko Island, which is very popular with expat families. It is close to international schools, and has plenty of parks and open, green spaces. It also boasts a vibrant, close-knit foreign …
Estate planning, an essential part of any financial plan, can be complex—especially when foreign real estate and foreign laws are involved. Below are 8 essential facts you need to know to simplify your estate planning if you are a non-Japanese citizen living outside Japan, but own real estate in Japan. These comments apply only to your heirs who are non-Japanese citizens, not living in Japan at the time of your death. Advice from Qualified Professionals Because of the complex issues and procedures involved, you should get advice from qualified professionals as early as possible. In Japan, shihoushoshi (司法書士), who are qualified legal professionals, can provide comprehensive advice about real estate-related …
