Glossary of Common Terms in Japanese Property Listings
| Japanese Term | Reading | English / Acronym | Expanded Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 築年数 | chikunen-sū | Building age | Years since construction completion. Important in Japan as building value depreciates quickly (though land usually holds value). |
| 間取り | madori | Floorplan type (e.g., 2LDK) | Layout showing number of rooms plus living (L), dining (D), kitchen (K). Example: 2LDK = 2 bedrooms + living/dining/kitchen. |
| 専有面積 | senyū menseki | Exclusive use area | Interior space legally owned in a condo/apartment. Excludes balconies, terraces, roof gardens, pipe shafts, and common areas. |
| 建物面積 | tatemono menseki | Total building area (GFA) | Gross floor area (GFA) of a detached house, measured floor by floor. Excludes balconies, verandas, carports, lofts/attics under 1.4m, non-habitable basements used only for storage, and porches. Basements that meet habitable standards (height, ventilation) may be included. Enclosed garages may also be counted. |
| 土地面積 | tochi menseki | Land area | Registered plot size, listed in m² and sometimes 坪 (tsubo, 1 tsubo ≈ 3.3 m²). |
| 接道 | setsudō | Road access | Indicates frontage on a road. Law requires ≥2m frontage on a legal road for construction/reconstruction. Without it, rebuilding may not be possible. |
| 現況 | genkyō | Current status | Whether property is vacant, rented, or occupied. Tenanted sales may limit immediate use. |
| 引渡し | hikiwatashi | Handover | Specifies when/how the property will be delivered (vacant, as-is, after demolition, etc.). |
| 管理費 | kanri-hi | Management fee | Monthly cost for condo/apartment common area upkeep (cleaning, security, lighting, elevators). |
| 修繕積立金 | shūzen tsumitatekin | Reserve fund for repairs | Long-term fund for major repairs. Low reserves may mean large future payments. |
| 駐車場 | chūshajō | Parking | On-site parking availability. Valuable in cities where space is scarce. |
| 角部屋 | kakubeya | Corner unit | Unit with windows on two sides. Brighter and more ventilated, often more expensive. |
| 南向き | minami-muki | South-facing | Preferred orientation in Japan for maximum natural sunlight. |
| バルコニー | barukonī | Balcony | Outdoor space, usually listed in m². Not included in official floor space values. |
| 再建築不可 | saikenchiku fuka | Rebuilding not permitted | Property cannot be rebuilt if demolished (usually due to insufficient road access). Big impact on financing and resale. |
| 古家あり | furuya ari | Old house exists | Land has an existing structure (often uninhabitable). Buyer may need to demolish. |
| 更地渡し | sarachi watashi | Delivered as cleared land | Seller demolishes existing structures before transfer. |
| 用途地域 | yōto chiiki | Zoning designation | Defines permitted uses (residential, commercial, industrial). Critical for development plans. |
| 建ぺい率 | kenpeiritsu | Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) | Max % of land covered by building footprint. Example: 60% = 60m² on 100m² lot. |
| 容積率 | yōsekiritsu | Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | Max total floor area relative to land. Example: 200% = 200m² total floor space on 100m² lot. |
| 私道 | shidō | Private road | Road privately owned/shared. Rights and obligations must be confirmed. May complicate resale or loans. |
| 公道 | kōdō | Public road | Officially maintained by government. Preferred for secure access. |
| 備考 | bikō | Remarks/notes | Free-text field with special terms, restrictions, or conditions. Always read carefully. |
Rule of Thumb: Floor Space Inclusions
When you see a floor space value (専有面積 or 建物面積), keep in mind:
- Included ✅: Habitable rooms with ceiling height ≥ 1.4m, basements that qualify as habitable (proper height/ventilation), enclosed garages (if counted as habitable space).
- Excluded ❌: Balconies, terraces, roof gardens, open carports, porches, attics/lofts under 1.4m, basements used only for storage, pipe shafts, common hallways.
In practice, a “70m² condo” might feel larger if it has a 10m² balcony — but that balcony will not appear in the official floor space figure.
