What Is It
The Land Survey Map (地積測量図, chiseki sokuryozu) is an official survey document filed at the Legal Affairs Bureau (法務局) that shows the precise boundaries, dimensions, and measured area of a registered land parcel. It is a technical drawing produced by a licensed land surveyor (土地家屋調査士) and serves as the definitive record of a parcel's physical extent.
In Japan, land survey maps are created and filed as part of specific legal procedures — most commonly during land division (分筆, bunpitsu), land consolidation (合筆), or initial registration of a parcel. The survey map becomes part of the official property records maintained by the Legal Affairs Bureau and can be requested by anyone.
It is important to understand that not all land parcels in Japan have a survey map on file. Many older parcels, particularly in rural areas, were registered based on historical records without a formal modern survey. For these parcels, the registered area may differ from the actual area, sometimes significantly. A survey map exists only for parcels that have undergone a formal survey procedure.
Who Needs It
- Property buyers — to confirm the exact boundaries and area of land they are purchasing
- Boundary dispute parties — as official evidence of surveyed lot lines in neighbor disputes
- Land division applicants — required when splitting a parcel into two or more lots (分筆)
- Construction planners — to verify lot boundaries before planning building placement and setbacks
- Mortgage underwriters — to verify the collateral property's exact dimensions and area
- Due diligence professionals — as part of comprehensive property assessment
What's Included
- Lot boundaries — precise lines defining the parcel's perimeter
- Dimensions — measured length of each boundary segment in meters
- Area calculation — the computed area of the parcel based on survey measurements
- Survey points — reference coordinates used in the survey
- Adjoining lots — identification of neighboring parcels
- Scale and orientation — map scale and north direction indicator
- Surveyor information — name and registration number of the licensed surveyor
How to Obtain
If a survey map exists for a parcel, it can be obtained at the Legal Affairs Bureau (法務局) that has jurisdiction over the property's location. You request it by specifying the lot number, and the bureau provides a copy. Unlike some other property documents, survey maps are public records — anyone can request a copy.
You can also check for the existence of a survey map through the online registry information service, though the actual map must be obtained at the bureau.
Through JapanPropertyDocs: We first verify whether a survey map exists for your property. If one is on file, we obtain a certified copy from the Legal Affairs Bureau and provide it with an English explanation of the boundaries, dimensions, and area details.
Processing Time
Same day at the Legal Affairs Bureau counter. The map is retrieved from the bureau's records and a copy is provided on the spot. Through JapanPropertyDocs, standard processing takes 3 to 5 business days.