Yen Loan Calculator For Buying A House In Japan

Japanese Yen Loan Calculator

The rates shown and any rates you enter into this calculator are for estimation purposes only. Mortgage rates in Japan change monthly and vary by lender, property type, loan-to-value ratio, and your residency and income profile. Housing Japan does not guarantee any specific rate.

Use the calculator above to estimate your monthly mortgage payment for a home purchase in Japan. Enter the loan amount in yen, the repayment period in years, and the interest rate you expect to pay. The tool will show your estimated monthly repayment right away.

If you are not sure what rate to enter, the sections below explain how home loans work in Japan and what rates borrowers are seeing in 2026.

Key Facts: Japan Mortgages in 2026

• Bank of Japan policy rate: 0.75%, raised on December 19, 2025
• Flat 35 fixed rate (January 2026): most common rate of 2.080% for loans of 21 to 35 years at a loan-to-value ratio of 90% or less, published by the Japan Housing Finance Agency
• Variable rates in early 2026: generally in the range of around 1.0% to 2.0%, depending on residency, lender, and borrower profile
• Share of borrowers choosing variable rates: roughly 70% to 80% of new home loans
• Maximum standard loan term: 35 years (50 years under the Flat 50 programme for qualifying homes)

How Does a Japanese Home Loan Work?

A home loan in Japan works much like a mortgage in other countries. You borrow a lump sum from a bank, and you repay it in monthly instalments over a set number of years. The most common term is 35 years, though you can choose a shorter period.

Banks in Japan offer two main types of rates. A variable rate changes over time based on the short-term prime rate set by major banks. A fixed rate stays the same for a set period, or in the case of Flat 35, for the full life of the loan. Most buyers in Japan choose a variable rate because the starting rate is lower, though this means the monthly payment can rise if interest rates go up.

What Interest Rates Should I Expect in Japan in 2026?

Mortgage rates in Japan depend on who is borrowing, which bank is lending, and what kind of property is being financed. There is no single rate that applies to every buyer. The best way to think about it is as a range.

Variable rates in early 2026 generally fall in the range of around 1.0% to 2.0% for most buyers. The exact rate depends on your residency status, the bank’s assessment of your income, the size of your down payment, and the property itself. Japanese citizens and permanent residents borrowing from major banks with strong income profiles may see lower rates; buyers without permanent residency or those financing investment property typically see rates in the upper part of this range or above.

Fixed rates are higher but offer stability. The Japan Housing Finance Agency reported that in January 2026, the most common Flat 35 rate for loans of 21 to 35 years reached 2.080%. This was the first time the rate entered the 2% range since the programme was updated in October 2017. Rates for shorter Flat 35 terms of 20 years or less were about 1.710% over the same period.

These rates follow the Bank of Japan’s decision on December 19, 2025 to raise its policy rate to 0.75%, the highest level in roughly 30 years. Further small increases are expected through 2026, so the figures above may change. Please speak with us for a current quote before making a purchase decision.

Fixed Rate or Variable Rate: Which Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on how long you plan to hold the loan and how much payment risk you can handle. A variable rate gives you a lower starting payment, which means you pay less each month today. The trade-off is that your payment can rise if the Bank of Japan keeps raising rates over the years ahead.

A fixed rate costs more at the start, but your monthly payment will not change. This makes it easier to plan your household budget over the long term. Flat 35, the government-backed fixed-rate product, is popular with buyers who want this kind of stability. It is available through more than 300 banks and credit unions across Japan.

Here is a simple comparison of the two main options as of early 2026:

Can Foreign Residents Get a Mortgage in Japan?

Yes, foreign residents can get a home loan in Japan, though the process is harder without permanent residency. Most Japanese banks prefer borrowers who hold permanent residency (eijuken), because lenders view this as proof of long-term financial stability. Buyers without permanent residency can still get a loan in some cases, but they may need a larger down payment, a higher income, or a Japanese guarantor.

Foreign buyers with permanent residency are generally treated much like Japanese citizens by lenders, which means access to better rates and more bank choices. Buyers without permanent residency should expect rates toward the upper end of the range, or higher depending on their profile. To learn more, see our guide on how foreign residents can get a real estate loan in Japan.

How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy a Home in Japan?

Most banks in Japan ask for a down payment of 10% to 20% of the property price for well-qualified borrowers. Buyers without permanent residency may need to put down more, depending on the lender. Some banks also do offer 0% down payment loans but these can come with higher interest rates and higher monthly costs. On top of the down payment, buyers should budget another 6% to 8% of the purchase price for fees and taxes. These include the property acquisition tax, registration tax, stamp duty, loan origination fees, and the agent’s commission.

For a property listed at ¥100,000,000, this means you should expect to pay around ¥6 million to ¥8 million in closing costs in addition to your deposit.

Worked Example: What Does a Tokyo Home Loan Cost Per Month?

To give you a feel for the numbers, here are three examples based on a 35-year loan at a 1.5% variable rate, which sits in the middle of the typical range in early 2026:

• ¥50,000,000 loan: about ¥153,000 per month
• ¥100,000,000 loan: about ¥306,000 per month
• ¥200,000,000 loan: about ¥612,000 per month

For comparison, a ¥100,000,000 loan at the current Flat 35 rate of 2.080% over 35 years would cost about ¥337,000 per month. This means a fixed-rate borrower pays roughly ¥31,000 more each month in exchange for protection against future rate rises. These figures are illustrations only. You can test any combination of loan size, term, and rate using the calculator at the top of this page.

Common Questions About Japan Home Loans

What is Flat 35? Flat 35 is a fixed-rate home loan programme run by the Japan Housing Finance Agency (JHF) in partnership with private banks. The rate stays the same for the full loan term of up to 35 years, which makes monthly payments easy to plan.

Are mortgage rates higher for foreigners in Japan? Not because of nationality itself. Rates depend mainly on residency status. Permanent residents are generally offered the same rates as Japanese citizens, while buyers without permanent residency typically pay a premium and may face larger down payment requirements.

Can I pay off my home loan early in Japan? Yes. Most Japanese banks and credit unions allow early repayments with no penalty, either online or in person at a branch.

How long does the mortgage approval process take in Japan? For most buyers, bank approval takes between two and four weeks. Foreign buyers without permanent residency may face a longer review.

Are mortgage payments tax deductible in Japan? Yes, under the housing loan tax credit (jutaku loan kojo). This programme has been extended through 2030 for qualifying homes. Talk to a tax professional for details on your own situation.

Plan Your Home Purchase in Japan

Understanding your monthly payment is the first step in buying a home in Japan. For help choosing the right loan and finding a property that fits your budget, please contact our team at Housing Japan. We work with buyers from Japan and overseas to guide them through every stage of the purchase. You can also browse our guide to buying a home in Tokyo or search current listings.