Can foreigners get a mortgage in Japan in 2026?

Permanent residents with stable Japanese employment and several years of tax records sit in the strongest lane. Long-term residents without permanent residency may still find banks or trust-bank products, often with higher down payments (community guides often cite roughly 20% for PR lanes and 30–50% for some non-PR resident files). A Japanese spouse as guarantor can help at some lenders.

Non-residents living abroad rarely unlock ordinary retail mortgages. Where specialist yen loans exist, loan-to-value is often capped and pricing is tougher. Start with a Japanese bank relationship and residence trail: Open a bank account and Apply for residence.

Budget purchase closing costs plus bank fees that can add roughly 1–2% of the loan or price: Property purchase costs. Fire and earthquake insurance, group credit life insurance and valuation fees appear on many files. Condo buyers still pay kanrihi and repair reserves after completion: Condominium fees.

Compare mortgage months against rent in Tokyo before you stretch: Rent in Japan and How expensive is Japan. Title type still matters to banks and resale: Freehold vs leasehold.