Plenty of buyers scroll through hundreds of homes and still do not find the one. The home might be listed somewhere we do not crawl. It might be off the market. Or your wish list may simply be harder to match than a map filter allows. At that point it helps to talk to a person who works in the area and holds a licence.
Engawa is a directory. We connect licensed agents with interested buyers. We are not an agent, a realtor or a consultant ourselves, and we do not search, negotiate or advise on your purchase. This guide explains what we do offer, so you know what to expect.
Who are the listed agents on Engawa?
As of 8 October 2026, one agent is listed: KORYOYA LLC. Its card on the agents page shows that it is licensed in Japan and speaks English, and it names the prefectures it covers and links to the agency's own website. That page is the source for everything we say about the agent here, and it is the place to check before you write.
Engawa does not publish the agent's email address or phone number. Contact goes through the enquiry form on a home, described below.
More agents can apply on the same page. An application is reviewed by hand by a founder, and nothing goes live until it is approved.
Which prefectures does the listed agent cover?
Eight: Wakayama, Hyogo, Kagoshima, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Shiga and Osaka. As of 8 October 2026, that is 1,784 of the 8,668 live homes on Engawa, about 1 in 5.
Coverage is by prefecture. A home with no prefecture recorded is never matched to an agent.
Where does your enquiry go?
Every home page has an "Enquire about this house" form. It asks for your name, your email and a message.
- On a home in one of the eight prefectures above, your enquiry goes to the listed agent and to us at the same time. The page says so before you send.
- Anywhere else, one of the founders replies. We can put you in touch with a licensed agent.
If the form does not load, email [email protected].
We cannot tell you how quickly anyone will reply, and we make no promise that a particular agent will take on a search. What the form does is put your question in front of a licensed person.
How do you write a message that can be answered?
A short, specific message gets a better reply than a long, vague one. Before you write, decide:
- Where. Name the prefectures, or the kind of place: coast, mountains, near a station, near a town with a hospital. Browse a few prefecture pages first, such as Wakayama or Kyoto, so you know what is realistic.
- Budget. Give a number or a range. Our guide to what a small budget buys in Japan shows how asking prices differ by prefecture.
- The house. Size, number of bedrooms, a garden, parking, and whether you would take a house that needs work. What akiya renovation really costs helps you decide that.
- Safety. Say whether flood, landslide or tsunami zones are a dealbreaker. See how to read a Japanese hazard map.
- Your situation. Say that you live abroad, if you do, and when you hope to visit. Our guide on how to buy an akiya as a foreigner covers the usual steps.
Then ask your question plainly. For example: "I am looking for a small house with a garden within an hour of a station, under a budget I will state. I cannot find one in your area yet. Can you tell me what is possible?" Whether an agent can search for you is their decision, and they will tell you.
What can an agent tell you, and what is not our job?
A licensed agent can answer questions about a home, the area and the buying process in Japan. Questions on law, tax, visas and the structure of a building belong with the agent, a qualified professional or the official source, not with Engawa. We do not give that advice.
For background on the points buyers ask about most, see akiya renovation subsidies explained and akiya visa reality.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use an agent?
Engawa does not make you. You can browse every home and read its original listing. An agent is there for when you want a person who knows the area.
Is Engawa an agent?
No. We are a directory. We connect licensed agents with interested buyers, and we show the homes with their hazard data and sources.
Will my message reach someone if the home is outside the eight prefectures?
Yes. One of the founders replies, and we can put you in touch with a licensed agent.
What if I cannot find a match?
The form is for the home it sits on. If nothing fits, say so in your message and describe what you are looking for. In the prefectures a listed agent covers, your message reaches the agent and us together. Elsewhere, one of the founders replies.
Ready to ask?
Open a home you like, or the closest match to what you want, in Explore, and use "Enquire about this house". Put your wish list in the message. If you want to see who is listed first, read the agents page.