A checklist for visiting a town you have shortlisted
The numbers on Settle Map are nationwide data published by government agencies and research institutes, aggregated per municipality. They let you compare towns across Japan on the same scale, but they say nothing about one house or one road. This article sets out 7 things to check in person after you have a shortlist, beside what the data already tells you.
When a move goes wrong, the cause is usually something a map does not show: how dark the streets are at night, the roads in winter, how neighbours get along. Deciding what to look at before you go lets you bring back evidence even from a short stay.
| Topic | What Settle Map's data tells you | What to check on site |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding | Flood and inland-flood inundation zones, and expected depth | Marks of past flooding, how water moves in channels and gutters, flood depth signs on poles and public buildings, how a road drains on a rainy day |
| Landslides | Whether the plot is in a landslide alert area | The hill or retaining wall behind the house, traces of slope failure, how much water the stream carries in rain |
| Ground | Shaking probability (read at one representative point) | Old topographic maps showing former rivers and ponds, the origin of place names, cracks in nearby retaining walls |
| Shopping and care | Number of food stores and medical facilities in the whole municipality | The distance on foot or by car from the candidate home, opening hours, and what is open at night and on holidays |
| Commuting | Straight-line distance to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya | Ride the route at commuting hours: transfers, frequency, and the walk from the station to the house |
| Winter | Maximum snow depth and January mean temperature | Who clears the snow, icy roads, heating costs, how often residents shovel — ask the neighbours |
| Akiya | Whether an akiya bank exists, and its official page | Condition of the building, water, sewage and gas type, whether it can be rebuilt, neighbourhood association and refuse rules |
How to read this table
From the left, the table shows the topic, what Settle Map's data tells you, and what to check on site. The middle column explains what the numbers you filtered on mean. The right column is what those numbers cannot tell you and you have to go and see.
We recommend visiting at least twice, in different weather. A sunny daytime visit shows nothing of how water moves, how dark the streets are, or what winter is like. Where rain water goes can only be seen when it rains. If you can talk to residents, ask about refuse collection, the neighbourhood association and who clears the snow.
If you are looking at an akiya, also check the condition of the building, the water, sewage and gas types, and whether it can be rebuilt. The detail in akiya bank listings differs by municipality. For a property you like, ask the municipal office and confirm during the viewing.
A natural order for the visit is to walk from the station or nearest bus stop to the house, then look at how water moves and where the slopes are around it, and finish with the shops and clinics. Keep a record of the walk with photos, which helps you recall each candidate when comparing them. On the first visit narrow what you look at, and on the second dig into only the points that bothered you; even a short stay then leaves you with evidence.
What the numbers do not tell you
The table is a set of examples and is not exhaustive. Add items to fit your family's circumstances.
Hazard map scenarios cover only the rivers and terrain for which data is published. Not appearing on a map does not make a place safe. Check the municipality's own hazard map for each type of disaster.
For decisions that touch a purchase or lease contract, consult a licensed real estate agent or other professional. This article is no substitute.