Welcome back to the Buying a House in Japan podcast! In this episode, Take and Joey dive into a massive milestone for the team: officially rebranding AkiyaMart to Mokomoko.com. They unpack the tech and administrative challenges of pivoting away from the negative connotations around the word "akiya", dealing with domain migrations, and resetting SEO from scratch.

They also share practical tips on managing summer humidity in Japanese homes, the financial realities of trying to install a sauna on a Tokyo property, and the launch of the Mokomoko Buyers Club post-purchase program-designed to handle everything from utilities and tax reps to neighbor welcome gifts and house blessings.

Key Takeaways

  • Why the Rebrand Happened: Moving away from the term "akiya" reflects a broader mission to cover all real estate in Japan while dropping the dash from the domain name.
  • Startup Lessons: Switching Google Workspace domains and migrating sites overnight requires a "just do it" mindset, even if SEO takes an initial hit.
  • Home Care Hacks: Desiccant packs fill up fast in Japanese summers; running the AC on dehumidify mode at a higher temperature works best for long-term property protection.
  • Sauna Realities: Urban Tokyo rules, neighbor proximity, and retaining wall retrofits can turn a simple outdoor sauna into a $60,000 project.
  • Post-Purchase Care: Transitioning from home buyer to local resident means setting up tax representatives, local utilities, neighbor greeting gifts, and traditional house blessings.

Resources & Links Mentioned

  • Mokomoko (Formerly AkiyaMart): Find over half a million Japanese real estate listings atmokomoko.com
  • Mokomoko Buyers Club: Full-service remote home purchasing and post-purchase onboarding
  • Hawaii Vacation Rental / Listing: Check out Take's property atcheehoorentals.com
  • Haven Sauna: Battery-backed saunas that standard outlets can charge

Connect With Us

  • Email: podcast@mokomoko.com
  • Socials: Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for property tours, renovation updates, and home-buying tips.
  • Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star rating and share it with someone looking to buy a home in Japan!

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