Episode 13 · Oct 30, 2026 · 40 min

The Graveyard Next Door: Why Japan’s Cemeteries Don’t Scare Off Buyers

Read in 1 min · Listen in 40 min

In most Western countries, a house next to a cemetery sells at a discount. In Japan the logic is different, and it’s creating bargains most foreign buyers walk right past. David and Victoria cover how Japan thinks about its dead (Obon, ancestor worship, and why the grave is where the relationship continues). They also cover the four kinds of death geography that affect property: temple graveyards, family grave plots on the land, rural temple districts, and historical sites. You’ll hear: Why a temple graveyard next door is often a non-issue in rural Japan How kaso, Japanese geomancy, can drop a price when a cemetery sits due north of the house What to do if your akiya comes with a family grave on the land Ohakamairi, the grave-visiting tradition, and why the selling family may expect to come back after you buy A real client story where an unwritten access expectation caused friction after closing Know what you’re buying into before you sign. Got a strange night in a Japanese home? Send it to hello@oldhousesjapan.com with the subject line “My Japan Story.” 🎙️ oldhousesjapanpodcast.com 🌐 oldhousesjapan.com 📋 oldhousesjapan.com/grants 📸 instagram.com/oldhousesjapan