Start with a one-page use brief
Record who will use the villa, whether it will host paying guests, the expected group size, cars, preferred pool activities and who will operate it. A family retreat and a villa for several travelling families may need different arrangements. You do not need a finished floor plan: you need a shared brief that prevents bedrooms from consuming space needed for parking, outdoor seating and servicing.
Place the building, pool, parking and equipment areas on a survey showing boundaries, levels and road access. Land area alone does not establish the usable building capacity. A licensed architectural practice should assess the design implications.
Match each question to evidence and a reviewer
| Question | Initial evidence | Who to consult |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership and boundaries | Registry, cadastral plan, survey, boundary records | Agent and land survey specialist |
| Building and accommodation use | Parcel number, planning and road records, intended use | Municipality, health centre, architectural practice |
| Earthworks and levels | Topographic survey, retaining-wall records | Architect and ground/earthworks specialists |
| Utilities | Connection points, capacity and drainage destination | Utility providers and services specialists |
| Hazards and access | Official hazard maps, evacuation and vehicle routes | Municipality, contractor and operator |
Label missing evidence “unverified”, not “no problem”. If an agent’s account differs from official material, compare dates, parcel numbers and the proposed use before asking for clarification.
Check roads, earthworks and operating requirements before commitment
Naha City provides guidance on roads and building procedures; Okinawa Prefecture explains development permissions for qualifying activities. Requirements depend on the location and proposal. Do not apply a threshold from another site without checking. The official sources are linked below.
A physically usable road does not itself establish its legal status or rights needed for access and excavation. Confirm the proposed accommodation regime with the health centre alongside building enquiries. Keep the date, office and drawings used for each response.
Test the view from where people will sit
A standing photograph at the edge of a site is not the eventual view from a sofa. Record directions and eye levels for the living room, terrace and pool entrance. Include neighbouring buildings, planting, overlooking and late-day glare. Current photographs do not guarantee future views. Wind, drainage, night-time surroundings and vehicle access deserve separate checks.
Illustrative comparison: look beyond the plot size
Consider two hypothetical sites: a sloping sea-view plot and a flatter plot with limited views. The first cannot be costed reliably before checking earthworks, retaining structures and construction access. The second still needs a layout that leaves outdoor seating and maintenance routes after placing the pool and parking.
Compare the same cost scope: land, groundworks, connections, external works, pool equipment, furniture and opening preparations. Mark figures as quoted, provisional or uninvestigated. Unknown costs are not zero.
Prepare for a useful consultation
Bring the location and parcel number, sales particulars or survey, intended users and cars, pool priorities, total budget scope and target timing. KODACHI helps organise the concept and research questions, introducing and coordinating with architectural practices and contractors. Design work is performed by the introduced architectural practice.
Sources and further reading
Published / sources checked: 9 November 2026