How I purchased my Akiya (abandoned house), and how you can too. Part 1! 

One thing to keep in mind for those who are looking to do this in Japan. Doing your own reno is one thing, but making it earthquake proof is something else entirely. During the most recent earthquake in Ishikawa and Toyama, most of the houses that collapsed are these traditional "Kominka" style houses, some of which had been renovated to be cafes and hostels (getting cheap house and renoing them has been a silent trend for Japanese too), but they were never earthquake proofed. Retro fitting will be costly to the point you might as well just buy a new house, but you are not safe from earthquake virtually anywhere in Japan. Some are safer than others, but you can't completely rule it out wherever you go. People in Toyama hadn't experienced bad earthquakes for so long they weren't prepared for it. The chance of having a catastrophic earthquake in Kanto area in the next 30 years is about 70% according to official report, so you need to add that into consideration.

What a dream. I’ve been binging your house videos. Wife and I also moved to Japan back in 2008, and have been loving life here so much. We’re gov’t employees in small town now and we plan to stay here for life. This country does so many things right, life is easier in a place that is so orderly and pristinely maintained, people are polite and community-centric. Congratulations on such an endeavor!

Aloha From Hawai'i Eric. I am looking forward to your progress on this project. I was born and raised until age 7 in Tokyo, and Chiba ken. My mother was Japanese, and my dad spoke fluent Japanese so Japanese is my first language. I have been away for close to 60 years, but I still consider Japan my home. I am retired from a State government job here in Hawai'i but my pension is way to small to survive here. I have been dreaming og "coming home" with my 3rd generation Japanese American wife, and finding a nice rural akiya to restore and live in the rest of our twilight years. I am hoping Shikoku or Kyushu since the weather is relatively mild. Ryu Kyus would be too hot and humid, like Hawai'i. Again, I look forward to seeing your progress. Keep up the great work.

It's a lovely home!

Instead of painting over the shikkui. You should replaster with shikkui. It has very good pest, mould and humidity control. There are many colours and textures. Happy reforming ❤😊

Awesome can’t wait to go on the adventure with you and live vicariously through you guys

Wow! That carved panel, that home shrine altar, those sliding doors, even the tatami are gorgeous. You are so lucky. The house is old, but is pristine.

That layer of paint sure did a lot! Really interesting to get some insight into how the whole process of buying an akiya works. From picking the location, to talking to the locals, to making sure your email translations ended up correctly, one can really feel your passion for this project. Please keep the videos coming, and 日本語頑張ってください！

Man you are wonderful, how open and honest you are, please keep it up!

great advice & insights!

Wow. Just so beautiful. You have done a lovely job with the paint, the house was already awesome but that paint really added a special touch! I am sure the previous owner, though she is now in the spirit world, would be very pleased to have you living there and taking such good care of the home. Many thanks to you for sharing this. ✌

Oh wow! This is really cool! Thanks for sharing!

Those painted paper doors are gorgeous!! The paint really brought the home to life!!

Diligence, patience, respect and creativity produce masterpiece. Good job well done👍 Amazing!

Such an incredible house and you guys have really honored it!!

I love the view so peaceful and quiet

Very cool story! Our process was different because it was a listed house by a realtor. I will be following!

What a Dream!! 😊Thank you for Making this video!!

thanks brother!

Beautiful home your doing a great job

That was wonderful. Congratulations!

On our second holiday to Japan we spent a lovely few days at Nozawa Onsen. Great skiing and a lovely traditional hotel.

Congratulations. The good care, aesthetic vision is evident.

Absolutely beautiful home

The white looks amazing!

Wow, beautifully done. Painting it white makes such a difference.

Hi Eric great video, I'm planning to visit Japan in the summer of 2024 and after that will be my initial steps to relocate.

Nice video. Thank you

That paint was a super idea. Typically a rental house (like ours) will have wallpaper over the older materials, but that paint turned out great. A trip to the hardware store, like Cainz or Joyful Honda was always fun for the wife and I as we have a limited ability to read directions on things. However, both stores were very helpful when it came to recovering tatami, wallpaper, shoji, gutters, etc. A discussion/video on how to go to a Japanese hardware store might help some people. We had Cainz send someone to recover our tatami, and they did a good job. However, we regret not asking our friendly Japanese neighbor “Block Captain” to recommend a local tradesman to do the job.

Wow this is amazing ❤you are so smart what a lovely 🥰 japan is a peaceful place nice watching ❤⭐️⭐️⭐️

Excellent job!

Thank you for investing in the Japanese local area! You are helping its economy to get revitalized

woww amazing video, thank you for nice information!

You altered the rough green walls that always catch on wool sweaters to smooth white walls. Well done.

Wow interesting! Looking forward to seeing more adventures from Nozawaonsen!

Nice video again. It’s a great part of the world Nagano I’m just 30 minutes away from nozawaonsen. Your place is rocking along good work.

Awesome!!!

You bought yourself a beautiful house. The white paint looks (to me) a bit stark at the moment, though in keeping with the shoji. I laughed when you explained writing emails and checking translations. I bought a house in France and have to do the same until my French skills are much improved. Arigato, great video.

Thank you for this video, it is very inspiring. I love your dedication and your patience, you have done a great job. One of my dreams would be to own a house in Japan as well.

Eric, I have to just sit back and admire your energy and faith in pursuing this project. I too want to find a way to relocate to Japan and want to follow a similar home finding path as you guys. Ill be relocating from Phils to Tokyo in September this year to begin my journey as well. So I subscribed and will be following your progress. Best of luck!

Great info! Changing the walls to white definitely a good call to brighten the rooms up.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

❤How lovely. 🌹You picked the perfect color may you enjoy you're new home for many years to come.🤗🤗❤️❤️

Great videos, thanks for sharing! I am also very interested to hear more about long term visa solutions/residency 😊

Amazing

Thanks❤

Beautiful 😊

What a dream house... I love Japan , i been there before... I love to visit again my sister in Shizouka

Beautiful

You have done a great job ,would like to see the garden.!

Wow what a lovely romantic story that goes so well with the romantic look of the house!! Thank you for showing the beauty of Japanese houses. I am also looking for a house in the countryside of Hokkaido right now…it probably will take some time….but I’m excited to go out to look for my dream house too…..I’m a garden person so Could you please show us what kind of garden you have and. And can you do gardening too? Looking forward to your next post!@@!

Curious about your eight years in Indonesia. I lived and worked there in the 70’s and 80’s, first in Bandung and later in Jogya. Also spent a bit of time in japan coming and going from Indonesia. Ultimately I was not berani enough to go all in and stay. Glad you have found your place in the sun.

That was most interesting, thanks fro sharing it. Looking forward to seeing the next videos

très beau, quel travail.

I love it. It's beautiful. I'm obsessed with Japan and it's culture and constantly watch video and read about it. I plan to visit in the Spring. I fantasize about living there. Pretty certain I couldn't work in Japan as I am a hair stylist and would be difficult to take state boards in another country. I've checked into this. I'm old too, although single, I doubt finding and eligible old Japanese man would rarely happen...so, I can dream away. I'll just settle for a visit.

Thanks for the great video! My wife's Japanese and from Matsuyama. While her and our daughter are currently living with her parents in Matsuyama, I'm saving money back in America with the hopes of getting an 空き家 in Matsuyama.

Not sure how I discovered this channel and show, but glad I did. Very interesting. Wish Japan made it easier to stay. I subscribed and liked. Happy Trails from Florida

great video

Beautiful house

Hello, your house is very traditional and lovely! I’m a Canadian who bought a 70-year old, traditional house in southern Shikoku in late 2015. I’ve been an English teacher here and have been doing renovation work on the house in my free time. I’m doing more now, since my work contract ended. Due to Covid, my school closed and where I live, finding a new f/t job has been very difficult. I’m trying to figure out alternative sources of income to stay in Japan or may decide to sell my house and move. I also have shikkui plaster and some mortar walls. Completely re-doing the walls with shikkui plaster is a lot more difficult than it looks. I have done repair work to the walls and will also apply sealer and paint. It will be way easier!

I have a weakness for Japan i just love it, i believe in reïncarnation i know i lived there in my past life greetings from the Netherlands

So my plan is to retire at 60-62. I am 49 now and just want to retire when I can get the best pension deal. In between then and now, I plan to visit Japan at least 2x a year. I haven't even visited for the first time yet, I am hoping to do that right before Cherry Blossom season on Honshu and am busy studying up.

Cool

Thank you so much for the inspiration of someday getting my own Akiya! And also, you and other youtubers inspired me for making 2 videos about Akiya and differences between each kominka, let me know if I said something wrong in the videos, I'd appreciate it so much. Wish you the very best!

i’m just going to rent and hope for patience, and if Matt from Akyia & I are just helpful if nothing else. spent on them already to consult . will keep people informed if anything works. a lesson learned.

congratulations,buddy for your dream property come true by overcome so many difficulties in the past year.

You have got one fantastic tshirt collection!

I have skied Nozawa several times and like to hike the Japanese Alps. We have an apartment we rent in Nagano and spend time there per our 2 90 day visas and the balance of the year in the US or Thailand. I find what you are doing very interesting and have done major remodels on 5 homes in the US. The issue is the long-term visa to Japan for a US citizen. Can you shed any light on how you deal with that? Looks fantastic and is my favorite ski area on Honshu.

お疲れ様です、ありがとうございました。

Cool! Did you consider shikkui plaster? I've yet to try my hand renovating a house we have in Hokkaido - and a bit uncertain about my ability to apply that stuff successfully. Maybe I'll do paint instead as well... Looking forward to more episodes in your journey.

❤wow.. Moving the spirits to the grave. 🙏🙏

This is a wonderful video. My wife and I are interested in doing something similar. Would you be able to list similar towns near ski resorts? We will be touring around this fall to check them out!

I am curious what you will be doing for residency.

Lovely home, I wonder whether there is heating inside and great insulation. Nice clean color, white

I've been looking at akiya and would also repaint as you did to brighten the spaces. What was the first product used before the paint? Was it a sealer coat or clear primer? Thanks for sharing.

Have you ever seen the Japanese movie, "Tampopo"? I have a copy, and it's one of my all-time favorites!

You did a great DIY job. I live in a Japanese house with similar walls to yours. Could you please tell me what tape and paint you used as I might have a go myself. All the best, Gareth.

Drool..... The shrine room is divine. Look forward to the next renovation. Did you ever find the naked snake that left his suit behind? Regards from Australia.

がんばってください❤

Great video and looking forward to other parts. So if i understand correctly: If one would to fix a temp. visa just anyone could buy a house? Even without a permanent residency visa?

What a beautifully put together narrative of this journey. What are some suggestions for learning the language?

Nice Jeff Goldblum reference!

Wow beautiful home

Would love to live there. Heard lots of stories about Japanese people not happy with foreigners living there. Been there as a tourist and they love tourists but living there totally different story.

Wow! What a great renovation. I agree it is very inspirational. By the way, what kind of Visa did you get? I know that moving to Japan without sponsorship is really difficult. Any information about that would be greatly appreciated.

Interesting....I hope the spirit of former sister's was successfully moved. (Japanese horror movies are pretty scary)hope it's a good place to live in

Lovely transition to your dream place 👍🏻👍🏻 I am indonesian, where did you live for 8 years ?

I like the white paint! How did you go about getting residency or a visa?

Please give details of expenses & groceries,utilities,day to day life,crimes etc. Please!

Hi from Indonesia

Where in Canada are you from? I’m from Detroit. Can spot a Canadian within two sentences. I’m intrigued by akiyas. I’d love to get one. Japan is such a wonderful place.

Thanks for another great informative video. Personally I don't get why they leave so much of their timber untreated or raw. I would be so tempted to give it a really good drink of clear colourless oil.

it’s not that hard I liked hearing that. no snow for me but can I come visit in june? i will be looking for one, lived there 5 years in early eighties. was it free? besides the fees? thanks.

If there is opportunity, I would like to stay in this country for a few months.

Eric...what documents do I need to purchase a home!?...thanks...

Japan is the most beautiful country in the world...

How do you deal with the lack of insolation in almost all Akiya homes? The walls tend to be paper thin; so, you may fix up an Akiya but most of the time you cannot update the home with modern AC and insolation to make the home comfortable. The housing market in Japan is such that an Akiya home is one that you want to live in forever as you more than likely will not make a profit from the home: the homes in the country-side will not appreciate in value.

What do you guys do for work? I want to move to Japan's countryside too, however, I'm concerned about work opportunities.

The problem with buying houses in Japan is unless they are pre-WWII they do not function properly. Due to shoddy building regulations and the cheapest materials, most houses Akiya hose are too hot in summer and too cold in winter. the problem with buying hous

It’s beautiful. If you don’t mind me asking, do you speak Japanese and how much did you pay for the house?