Starting Later-Life Planning in Kyoto | Organize Housing, Inheritance & Funerals While You Are Well

1. First, decide what you want to do with your home

Housing is a major part of later-life planning, alongside savings and funerals. Will you stay in your current home, move to a condominium, leave it to your children, or sell it to fund your life? Even writing down your preference can reduce the burden on family later.

2. Make a list of assets and contracts

List real estate, deposits, insurance, securities, loans, leases, subscriptions, smartphone plans, and online contracts. The goal is not a perfect inventory, but a situation where your family knows where to start checking.

3. Healthcare, care needs, and moving are also part of later-life planning

Consider whether your current home will still work if stairs become difficult, you stop driving, or medical visits increase. Looking at future housing options while healthy reduces the risk of making a rushed decision after hospitalization or care needs arise.

4. Write down both religion and preferred place for a funeral

Buddhist, Shinto, Christian, or non-religious—if family members do not know your wishes, they may have to decide quickly. If you have a temple, shrine, church, preferred funeral company, or venue, keep the contact details together.

5. You do not have to decide everything at once