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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When considering land with a stream, here are some things you should know beforehand.

Q1.Is Sawa Bank a bank?

No, no, no, no. Sawa Bank is the name of a real estate information site that collects information about land adjacent to a stream. It does not provide financial services such as deposits, loans, and money transfers. 'Bank' means collecting and storing land information. It is operated by FocusFirstAdvisors Co., Ltd. (legal entity number 1011001164939) and is not related to a similarly named financial institution.

Q2.Why is land with a stream hard to find on ordinary property sites?

Cannot refine because no search criteria have been provided. If the description of the property says'stream' or'spring water', it is a clue, but the description is arbitrary by each company, and there are many properties that do not have it written. Because Sawa Bank determines first from the side of the land, the relationship with the stream is known regardless of the existence of a description.

Q3.How do you determine whether a property has a stream?

The topographical data (DEM) of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan is used to calculate the streams where water collects and flows, and the official cadastral map data of the Ministry of Justice is used to determine the geographical units where the stream touches/passes. In addition, photographs are taken on the spot for properties that have received permission from the publisher and the owner, and the actual state of the water is verified.

Q4.What is the SAWA score?

This is a guideline that scores the conditions of the stream against seven indicators. It evaluates the relationship with the stream (contacting/passing through), the length of the stream, the width of the catchment area, the looseness of the slope, the area of the flat land, the sunshine time of the winter solstice, and the existence of the disaster area. With a score of 100 points, the higher the number, the more likely it is that there is a nearby water, a flat area that can be used, and sunshine. This does not indicate land value or whether the price is reasonable.

Q5.Can I freely use a stream that flows through my land?

Not necessarily. Abstraction and installation of structures require permission for rivers governed by the River Act, including Class A and Class B rivers and rivers to which the Act applies by analogy. Other watercourses may also be restricted by municipal ordinances and local customary water rights. New abstraction may not be allowed where the stream already supplies downstream irrigation. Before buying with water use in mind, check with the municipality's river department and the relevant water-users' association.

Q6.Can stream water be used for drinking?

Untested stream water is not necessarily suitable for drinking. Take particular care where there are homes, roads or farmland upstream. If you are considering drinking it, obtain water-quality testing through a public health centre or registered testing organisation. Filtration and disinfection equipment may also be needed for household use.

Q7.Are there disaster risks near a stream?

Property pages show whether a site falls within mapped landslide warning or potential flood inundation zones, but being outside a zone does not mean it is safe. Rapid rises in water, debris flows and bank erosion can occur in heavy rain regardless of designation. When considering building locations, allow adequate distance and elevation above the stream.

Q8.Are forest and undeveloped-land boundaries often unclear?

There are many areas where the cadastral survey has not been completed, and it is not uncommon for the cadastral map to not match the locality. In some cases, the border with the neighboring land is not clearly defined when the land is sold. Before purchasing, please check with the publisher whether there is a boundary mark, whether the confirmed measurement has been carried out, and whether there is an agreement with the neighboring land owner.

Q9.Can I build on the listed land?

This site does not determine whether construction or development is permitted. Road access, planning-area classification, the Agricultural Land Act, the Forest Act (including protected-forest designation), development permissions and other conditions may apply. If you intend to build, check with the municipality's building department and the lister before buying.

Q10.Who should I contact about a property?

From the button on each property page, you are directly linked to the page of the real estate company from which the property is published. Sawa Bank does not accept or follow-up inquiries. This site is an advertising medium that does not mediate or represent real estate brokerage business.

Q11.Will I receive sales calls if I register my preferences?

We do not contact you for sales solicitation. We only send information when newly listed land matches your registered preferences. We do not give your personal information to third parties, including listing real estate companies. You may unsubscribe or request deletion of your registration at any time.

Q12.Are listings free? (For real estate companies)

We do not receive any publishing fee, photography fee, or page production fee. The photographs and videos of stream are taken by our company on the spot, and the photographic data is given to the publisher free of charge. You can use it freely on your company's website and in advertising. Inquiry is 100% directly to your company, and our company is not involved in the transaction. You can stop publishing at any time, and there is no time limit or penalty.

Q13.Which areas do you cover?

We carry listings from across Japan. SAWA terrain analysis has been completed for approximately 87,000 parcels in Hokuto and Nirasaki, Yamanashi. Elsewhere, stream relationships are organised from information supplied by the lister. The analysis area is being expanded progressively.

More details.

See the listed land.

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