1970s wood house in Chiran, Minamikyushu, farmland, approval needed

Earthquake code

Caution

Built before the 1981 earthquake code. Expect a structural survey, harder mortgages, and a retrofit budget; towns often grant part of that cost.

Source: Estimated from year built

Strong-earthquake chance

Checked, clear

About 5% chance of a strong quake (shindo 6-lower or above) in 30 years, low for Japan, where most places sit between 3% and 26%

Source: National earthquake-hazard model

Landslide risk

Checked, clear

Checked: no designated landslide zone at this location. Zone edges are approximate, and this is not a legal property disclosure document.

Source: Government hazard map

Flood risk

Checked, clear

Checked: outside a mapped flood area. The maps cover designated rivers only, so this is not a promise of no flooding.

Source: Government hazard map

Tsunami risk

Checked, clear

Checked: no designated tsunami inundation zone at this location

Source: Government hazard map

Liquefaction

Checked, clear

Low liquefaction susceptibility for the ground here

Source: National landform survey

Volcanic hazard

Note

In Sakurajima's ashfall band, about 37 km from the crater. Ash is a nuisance for roofs, cars and laundry rather than a danger to the house.

Source: Volcano hazard map

Farmland rules

Warning

Inside a strict farmland zone. You will need the agricultural committee's permission to buy or convert, and foreign buyers are often refused.

Source: Government land-use records

A pre-1981 build predates Japan's current earthquake code, which can matter for insurance and renovation. We flag the era from the year built where we have it.