A friend's American (and half-Japanese) son and his wife just bought a nice house in a suburban town outside Tokyo, with a view of Mt. Fuji. I haven't visited, but saw photos. it's quite lovely. Its a 4 bedroom, well-built house with a garage, has a yard and is 10 minute walk to a train/commuter rail station. Was told it cost under $250K
It seems after 3 decades, the property bubble has deflated.
Sadly a lot of the rural and suburban homes vacant are due to the demographics crisis in Japan. Older people simply died and either had no children to leave it too or the children do not want to live in the rural and suburban areas outside the urban night lifestyle. I would love one of those as a weekender stay in a tiny home sized place all week party in Shibuya then take the train Saturday morning to the countryside and chill for the weekend. Return Monday morning to the city.