[spicytuna]

Actually, you don't need to be a permanent resident to purchase/own property in Japan. You can buy property while visiting on a visitor visa.

However, mortgages are only available to permanent residents so you'll have to finance the property yourself. Owning property in Japan doesn't come with special visa privileges either so you'll only be able to stay at your property 90 days at a time.

I met a few people in Canada who owned some rural property in Japan which they use as their vacation spot.