We Bought and Renovated a Japanese Empty House 'Akiya' in Rural Japan - Renovation Cost

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The focus of this video is how we found, bought, financed, renovated our empty Japanese house "Akiya" in the countryside of Japan.

I will also cover hidden costs, final cost and lessons learned. There is no one specific way to find, purchase and renovate a house in Japan. This video simply covers our personal experience. Our renovation is perhaps on the upper side of cost, so use our experience as a “worse case scenario” or close to it. Please watch in its entirety and I will try to answer your questions, but I will also provide markers so you can go straight to the topic. If you still have questions at the end, please comment below or e-mail at the e-mail in the description. I will try to answer your questions or point you in the right direction if possible. In the description I also provide some links to other useful sources and the link to the Akiya bank for Iwakuni city including Miwa Town, which is where we live. We bought a vacant or empty house "Akiya" in the countryside of Japan near Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture for $35,000 (5 million Yen as of August 2022). The property consists of a 2-story house built in 1975, small guest house, large 2 car garage, storage building, and 3/4 acres of land with many fruit trees. In my opinion the house was in relatively good shape to live in with some improvements such as a stove, repair the shower, and air conditioner units, however we decided to perform an extensive renovation incorporating modern and comfortable features while maintaining a beautiful traditional Japanese house with its original charm and character.

COMMON QUESTIONS UPFRONT:
• A foreigner CAN purchase property in Japan
• Owning property does not lead to legal residency in Japan
• It is difficult to secure financing with a Japanese bank unless you have permanent residency and employed in the Japanese economy

WHAT IS AN AKIYA?
Akiya (空き家) translates to “empty house”. Basically, it is a vacant house in Japan. An Akiya can be found in the countryside and urban Japan as well, but predominantly in the countryside due to declining population, migration to urban areas, preference for newer houses and many other reasons. It is believed there are approximately 8.5 million or more vacant houses throughout Japan. Pros and cons of buying an akiya is a different topic for a different video. Everyone has a different situation and circumstances in life.

HOW I FOUND MY AKIYA IN JAPAN:
HOW I BOUGHT MY AKIYA IN JAPAN:
HOW I FINANCED MY AKIYA:
HOW I RENOVATED MY AKIYA IN JAPAN:
HOW MUCH IT COST TO RENOVATE MY AKIYA:
TAXES AND COST OF LIVING:
LESSON LEARNED:
WAS IT WORTH IT?

#japan #japancountryside #japanesevacanthouse #akiya #traditionaljapanesehouse #ruraljapan

Other videos of our Akiya traditional Japanese house renovation:

Contact:

Social Media:
Instagram: @cocolenchojapan

Facebook:
Coco Lencho Japan

****Recommend using “Chrome” as a browser for Japanese to English translation.****
Other Useful Links:
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From Osaka, I'm glad there's someone taking care of our Akiya, it's far better than being left and then decaying away.

Funica
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Hello from just north of Sydney Australia. I bought a house here nearly 20 years ago which was built in the 1970's (with salmon pink and avocado green bathroom decor 😂). I had a builder friend who looked it over for me before making an offer and he said it has "good bones". I update it as I can afford (the bathroom was first...), knowing that it is solidly built and will last a long time. Your renovations have been a joy to watch and your house is now so perfect for your needs.

CB-sxxh
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Hello Lawrence. I'm Brent and me and my fiance, Angela have been watching your videos. I don't really comment on videos very much at all but wanted to on yours. We have been seriously thinking for a few months now about moving from Texas to Japan in the coming few years and doing pretty much the same things that you and your wife have been doing. We "really" enjoy your videos that you make. You are very informative and helpful with the information that you give about your experiences so far on your journey. You talk about the quality of life being better over there and we can almost "feel" how great it is over there through your videos. Hoping to see many more videos in future of your continued journey in Japan. Thank you again Sir. 😊

BrentStandlee
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Currently on vacation in Japan and was stationed at MCAS Iwakuni! Great video and helpful as we want to come back to to the area 🤙🏽 - Jordan

djirockjays
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Beautiful house and home you have. Thanks for sharing your renovation journey

sebestiantan
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We’re watching from Melbourne Australia and have enjoyed watching your journey. Great to see you’re getting so much from your life in the countryside!

ajsturley
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Love what you’ve done with your home n property n where you have landed. I recently sold my house n Lakewood, CA n bought a small home/cabin n the San Bernardino mountains n retired at 60. I fully understand how it changes your life n mental health. I love it up here n Running Springs. Kind neighbors, relaxed pace n love the weather. Although, I did/do have to install a split AC unit due to the rise n temperatures. It’s a whole new way of life for me, but I spent summers n the mountains as a child as my parents purchased a cabin n Green Valley Lake, about a 15 minute drive from Running Springs n 1, 000 ft higher altitude. So area is not foreign to me, but year round living has proven EZr for me, in part, thanks to great neighbors. Im learning how to maintain my property n how to shovel snow!! Making small additions to my home n just had s Tuff Shed built on the property to provide additional storage in lieu of a garage. I love the ease of maintenance with my smaller n home n open floor plan. I got lucky as it’s a solid home n was well loved in lived in full time so I have most of the modern features. One being beautiful dual pain windows, large deck n indoor washer n dryer.
Unfortunately, I dont know how you attach pics, or I would. I look forward to watching your progress n how it blooms to life!! 😊

mqwmmzs
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many great tips and advice, thank you...I'm from Guam hopefully I can start my Akiya journey soon

gmango
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I saw your story and wife's about buying a home in Japan, so I'm here 😊😅

silfig
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Thank you for documenting your experience. My family and I are in the process of research for buying an akiya and turning it into a hosted experience/AirBnB. Love dhearing you speak of your journey.

e-shark
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Lawrence, Walt from California here again, Great video! Thank-you for your transparency on your experience/journey. The info is really helping me cross things off our list and add other things. I think the biggest take-away, though there were many, is to exercise patience. I, more than the wife, am very anxious believing I may be missing out on that dream home. Your video has me taking some deep relaxing breaths and pumping the brakes. I highly agree with your comment on the purchase. What is your goal? If its to invest/profit that is not the way, the house. However, if this is the place you want to call "Home" then the extra cost justifies the purchase. Well done my Brother.

walterclare
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Hi. We Australians who live in Shanghai. We fell in love with the countryside. Will start looking for a Akiya best month. Thanks for posting this video. Its really helpful!

petercorne
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This is a lot of great advice! Really thoughtful and full of details. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

bentonhomestead
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All you need is the pozo para la barbacoa! Great info and videos. Much respect from Dallas Texas.

HeyIke
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Thank you so much for your video. Very detailed and I was able to understand and follow each topic. Thank you for your time and contribution for those that are preparing for a new home purchase in Japan. Have a great rest of your day.

TheStrangersz
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From Melbourne Australia, Sort of stuff I would have liked to have done in younger days. Japan has special charm. Nice project and making it look good. It is coming up well.

AwareLife
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Appreciate your very Frank and upfront discussion with a very personal portion of your life 🙏 god bless brother! Hope you have a wonderful journey with your new home! 🙏

teacherkiat
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❤❤thanks for sharing all the important information 🎉🎉

cml
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Thank you so much for that awesome and INFORMATIVE video! My husband retires from the navy next year and we will be waiting for a ATC position to open up at your base. He was in Sadebo for two tours and LOVED it. Hopefully we can be expat neighbors! We are looking in your area for an Akiya too! We would love to connect!

SellitwithSandy
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Beautiful! (From LI NY) My parents are from Japan & I’m interested in moving there when I retire.

amy