Per-tsubo price (坪単価)
Construction cost divided by gross floor area in tsubo; usually main-works only, excluding ancillary, soft costs and tax. More →
Floor-area ratio (容積率)
The cap on total floor area relative to plot area; set by the lower of the zoning value and the front-road width limit. More →
Building-coverage ratio (建蔽率)
The cap on building footprint relative to plot area; may be relaxed on corner lots. More →
Use district (用途地域)
The city-planning land-use zone; allowed uses, coverage/floor-area caps and height limits differ by zone. More →
RC (鉄筋コンクリート造)
Reinforced-concrete construction; strong on durability, fire, sound and design freedom, but pricier per tsubo than timber. More →
Timber (木造)
Wood-framed construction (post-and-beam, 2×4, etc.); cost-effective and well-insulating — the mainstream for Japanese houses. More →
Fixed-asset assessed value
The municipal tax-base value, distinct from the purchase price — roughly 60–70% of market value. More →
Real-estate acquisition tax
A one-off prefectural tax on acquiring land/building; often zero for homes after reliefs. More →
Fixed-asset & city-planning tax
Annual local taxes on the Jan-1 owner: fixed-asset 1.4%, city-planning up to 0.3% in urban zones. More →
Capital-gains tax
Tax on a property-sale profit: 39.63% short-term (≤5 yrs), 20.315% long-term, with a ¥30M deduction for a primary home. More →
Brokerage fee (仲介手数料)
The agent's commission; capped by law — above ¥4M the quick formula is price×3%+¥60,000+tax. More →
Closing costs (諸費用)
All costs beyond the price — brokerage, taxes, registration, loan fees, insurance; ~6–9% of price for resale. More →
Yield (利回り)
Annual return over investment; gross = rent÷price, net = after operating costs (1–2 points lower). More →
Tsubo (坪)
A Japanese area unit: 1 tsubo ≈ 3.305785㎡ ≈ 2 tatami; the basis for building and land pricing. More →
Building permit (建築確認申請)
Pre-construction confirmation that the plan meets the Building Standards Act; you cannot start without the certificate. More →
Frontage rule (接道義務)
A plot must touch a road ≥4 m wide for ≥2 m; failing this can make it non-rebuildable. More →
Ground improvement (地盤改良)
Reinforcing weak soil (surface, column or steel-pile methods); adds several hundred thousand to millions of yen when needed. More →
Exposed concrete (打ち放し)
Leaving the formwork-struck concrete face as the finish; a finish (not a structure) applied to RC/SRC/steel frames. More →
Sukiya style (数寄屋造り)
A light, refined Japanese residential style born from the tea ceremony — the counterpart to the formal shoin style. More →
ZEH
Net Zero Energy House — high insulation + efficiency + on-site generation (solar) bringing annual energy balance roughly to zero. More →
Minpaku law (民泊新法)
The private-lodging law; notification-based with a 180-day/year operating cap. Year-round operation needs a ryokan licence. More →
Main & ancillary works
Main works build the structure itself; ancillary works cover exterior, ground improvement, utility connections and demolition. Per-tsubo prices usually mean main works only. More →
Steel & SRC
S = steel-frame, suited to large spans and mid/high-rises. SRC = steel-reinforced concrete, very strong and seismic-resistant, used for tall buildings. More →
Mortgage tax deduction
A scheme deducting a percentage of the year-end loan balance from income tax when you buy a home with a mortgage; terms change each tax year. More →
Non-rebuildable lot
Land that fails the frontage rule etc., so once the existing building is demolished no new one can be built; cheap but hard to finance or use. More →
Posted & roadside land prices
Posted land price is the state's published benchmark; roadside value is the per-road figure for inheritance/gift tax. Both differ from the market price. More →
Registration & licence tax
A national tax on property registration (transfer, preservation, mortgage); based on the assessed value, with reliefs available. More →
Stamp duty (印紙税)
Tax via stamps on taxable documents such as sale and loan contracts; e-contracts can avoid the sale-contract stamp. More →
Depreciation (減価償却)
Spreading a building's cost over the statutory useful life by structure (RC 47 yrs, timber 22 yrs); central to property-investment tax planning. More →
Seismic resistance / damping / isolation
Three earthquake strategies: resist the shaking, absorb it with dampers, or isolate the building from the ground so motion barely transfers. More →
Long-term quality housing
Homes certified to meet durability, seismic and energy standards for long-term good condition; they earn tax, loan and subsidy advantages. More →
Important-matters explanation
A legally required briefing where a licensed agent explains the property's and contract's key facts in writing before you sign — read it carefully. More →
Bridge loan (つなぎ融資)
Short-term financing for a custom build covering payments due before the mortgage is disbursed (deposit, interim), repaid by the main loan at completion. More →