1.
property viewing, house viewing
Visiting and inspecting a property (apartment, house, office) in person before deciding to rent or buy it.
週末にマンションの内覧に行く。
I'm going to view an apartment this weekend.
内覧のときに日当たりを確認した方がいい。
You should check the sunlight exposure when you view the property.
不動産会社に内覧の予約を入れた。
I made an appointment with the real estate agency for a property viewing.
2.
preview, private viewing
A viewing or preview of an exhibition, event, or product before it opens to the general public.
美術館の内覧会に招待された。
I was invited to the museum's preview event.
一般公開前の内覧会には関係者のみ参加できる。
Only involved parties can attend the preview event before the public opening.
新しいショッピングモールの内覧会が開催された。
A preview event for the new shopping mall was held.
USAGE:
The most common everyday use of 内覧 is for viewing apartments or houses when looking for a place to live. The preview/exhibition sense is more formal.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 内覧する (to view a property)
- 内覧会 (preview event, open house)
- 内覧予約 (viewing appointment)
- 内覧可能 (available for viewing — seen on property listings)
TIPS FOR PROPERTY VIEWINGS IN JAPAN:
When doing an 内覧, it is common to check 日当たり (sunlight), 収納 (storage), 周辺環境 (surrounding area), and 騒音 (noise levels).