2 Days to Transform a Japanese Akiya: Can we do it?

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks for all your lovely comments and support 🩷 Monika's new Japanese house was a great find! Do you want to learn Japanese with me? I have multimodal courses from beginner level 🇯🇵www.chanijapan.com 🇯🇵

[@carolynthompson6518]

@@ChaniJapan Yes I have already bought the beginners course just before I left for Italy for 3 months and have just returned to Australia so am just about to start that course. ♥️

[@tatianaabramovskaya8765]

Again, what a lovely video! Monica is so lucky to have you :) And yes, the house is gorgeous. I love all the traditional features and the way it's been renovated. Although it's too big for my taste. Question. At 7:43 I hear Monica say that even though she has a property in Japan it'll still be a tourist visa for her, =90 days. Could you elaborate on this, please? Does owning a home in Japan not give you the right to live there as permanent resident?

[@japanham5973]

The small half shoji are called Yukimi (Yuki = Snow and mi = see). So....the sliding shoji can be raised so you can see snow fall while you are sitting on the tatami mats, having some food and a bottle of hot sake! Enjoy!

[@ChaniJapan]

It’s the perfect location to look out into the garden 😍

[@SSadijo]

How wonderful that you were able to help out Monica, & to be able to meet via this channel.

[@ChaniJapan]

It was really so nice that we could meet via the channel. She is a lovely lady!

[@debbie1247]

How exciting! Both for Monica and her new home, and for your meet up and assistance with a subscriber. Having a friendly face and guidance from a local is priceless. Your videos have helped me so much and now you’re hands on helping! Big Thanks to you Chani!

[@ChaniJapan]

It was so lovely to be there with her and see the house 🏡

[@dianebaker5243]

Lovely video too watch 🥰🥰

[@wemi1912]

I just wanna say thank you for helping out Monica! When I first arrived in Japan I didn’t know anyone or really anything about the city I moved into. (Especially just having turned 20 I felt even more lost in a big city) It was lonely and a bit difficult to even find local shops and know how to move around in the area. Having someone to help you during that time is such a huge plus!! I know it mustn’t have been easy to drive around all day but thanks for being a good friend! I’m sure Monica appreciated it as well!

[@speedmao1]

Thank you to Monika for sharing her story. I have a feeling soon there will be a huge increase of gaijin in Wakayama, thanks to Chani.

[@ChaniJapan]

Maybe! I think it will be great for the area if everyone renovates the akiya. Probably not for the young people who like a good night life/social life. But for those who like the slow life, then its perfect. 😀

[@solotraveller888]

Chani, your channel is relaxing and only exudes good vibes,in this tumultuous times.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thank you so much 🙂 Very kind of you to say that 🩷

[@allie1953]

Indeed it does! It is an oasis of tranquility and hope.

[@rastusbojangles]

omg I LOVE the design of that house. Best of luck to her!

[@ChaniJapan]

I agree. When she finishes the garden that main room will be so lovely. So many great features in the house 🏠

[@NoBeatenPath]

Love these ‘real life’ videos that you are doing Chani - much more interesting than the standard influencer travel videos. Thanks for all your work!

[@smoore2306]

That is so wonderful that you were able to help her get settled. My mouth dropped when she said the price of the house.

[@ChaniJapan]

I know right?! Such a good price 😁

[@smoore2306]

@@ChaniJapan Especially when it was just redone.

[@Smithcraft1]

That house is beautiful! I'm envious that she was able to get such a nice house! I would maybe suggest that Monica gets (or rents) a pressure washer to clean up those exterior walls

[@ChaniJapan]

Great minds think alike! She bought one while I was there 🤣 She is going to clean up all the rocks and exterior next visit!

[@quirkynation]

First comment! Lol. Nice to see a new video so soon after the kitty camping. 😊

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks 🩷🩷🩷😽

[@Smithcraft1]

And here I thought I would be the first! LOL!

[@eku777jp]

if she buys all her AC from somewhere like Yamada or Midori denki, all installation is included in the price of the AC, and if you buy more than 2 AC, they often give you one for free

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes! She got it from K's Denki. They were very professional.

[@markh7420]

Always something new and interesting to see in your videos Chani. It's cool seeing the streetscapes from the car also.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks. The sunset at the end was my favourite view. This time of year the evenings are so pretty.

[@stellakovacs7138]

"Oh! Cat plates! Quick! Get me outta here!" LOL

[@TereseHalvorson]

I really enjoyed this. You are such a kind person for helping Monika set up her new house. It's such an exciting time & would've been great for her to have you to share the start.

[@ChaniJapan]

It was so much fun being with her during the exciting time 😃

[@Ymyp6356]

I'm Japanese and saw the vid happier that better foreigners bought it there always as a house for large families, but this house is really great for small families. Chani's house is also really great. I live happily with my family and neighbors forever.

[@ChaniJapan]

It’s a great house and Monika and her family will love staying there 🩷😃

[@randolphmurdockiii6523]

All of this reminds me of my family being stationed on Okinawa in the late 70's. We were courageous and chose to live off-base. What an adventure!

[@mapiblog6717]

Wow , Monica is so Lucky to find such low price with almost perfect renovated home in japan…although it’s a bit in a remote area but still a good area…I’m in Aso, Kumamoto City married to a Japanese , congratulations 🎉…I’m new to your channel..

[@mamahiroba]

i really, really love hot pot. when the weather gets colder, the taste is amazing. i love adding udon noodles to the soup after cooking.I also love sitting under the kotatsu and eating mandarin oranges. during winter vacation, i recommend driving around the Ise-Shima Peninsula.

[@spankohyayo]

友達の買われた空き家は素敵な御家ですね。

[@ChaniJapan]

ありがとうございます！友達もとても喜んでいます。これからもっと素敵にしていく予定なので、ぜひ見守ってくださいね！

[@AditiHM]

So lovely of you to help Monica set up her new home and take her shopping, Chani. It must have been such a blessing for her. After receiving a rent increase notice yesterday ($650/week for a two-bedroom apartment on the Gold Coast), buying an Akiya seems like a no-brainer ... especially since Japan is one of my favourite countries, and one I've lived in before. It's on my bucket list for 2028.

[@ChaniJapan]

The rents are really going up fast now. Its actually shocking how high they are!

[@waregraham8335]

I have an Aussie mate living in a wonderful old farmhouse in Utsunomiya about 100km north of Tokyo; he has enough land to graze horses and his rent is 1200 Oz dollars a Year ( ! )

[@joanns5250]

I would love to hear how she and her family adjust to living in a Japanese suburb!

[@mossygreenlog]

Well done! I can relate to the humidity. I run my mini-split to dehumidify all the time. Congratulations to your friend! Envious!

[@KansaiCool]

Hope to be blessed with an amazing akiya to someday soon. Endlessly happy for all that are able to make the move and open such a wonderful new chapter in their lives.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks for the kind words, I hope your akiya dreams come true!

[@FoxyfloofJumps]

That is an insanely spacious house. It's practically pristine.

[@abbyski]

Such an interesting video! I am in LOVE with all that stonework around the house and in the entryway. Thank you for sharing!

[@NekoAshiJapan]

Love this Chani! Great to see another akiya owner and hear her story ❤

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes! 😀 It was so nice to connect with Monika and I think her story is great. She has found a great house. 🏠

[@allie1953]

G'day! Always nice to wake up on a Friday morning (here on the east coast of the USA) and find a Chani video waiting! I fix myself a cup of a coffee and a slice of toast with jam and settle in to this very nice diversion. Truly the best way to start ones day! 🥰

[@RKusmie64]

How nice of you to help Monica start to settle into her new place 🤗 I'm sure she's very excited to have her family join her! Snuggles to Millie and xoxo to you ❤ Robin

[@andersonomo597]

Loved this video! Chock full of interesting stuff like the tour of the house, voice-over details, shopping trip, streetscapes, bamboo glade (mozzies are part of nature but universally horrible), dusk shots at the end - a wonderful slice of life beautifully presented. Good one Chani and cheers from Oz!!

[@ChaniJapan]

🩷Thank you so much

[@allie1953]

You summed it up very well!

[@bubbamoogle]

I fully intend to do this some day 💜

[@ChaniJapan]

That is exciting 😀

[@carolynthompson6518]

What a fabulous video. It is lovely to see someone else’s home purchase. I wish her so much luck with her new venture. I also received your email with the new course. Thank you so much ❤

[@ChaniJapan]

Great! Thank you 😊 I really enjoyed visiting her place too!

[@chrssiem]

What a great home! Such a fun video, thank you Chani!

[@ChaniJapan]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😃

[@cristalvancarson1473]

I enjoy your channel! I was a model in the 80s and lived and worked in Japan for 10 years! I love Japan!

[@ChaniJapan]

Awesome! That’s a long time in Japan. You must have so many great memories!

[@cristalvancarson1473]

@@ChaniJapan Yes! thank you! One of the best jobs was 10 days in Okinawa for a catalogue. We took a small plane to Naha and other small islands! I was 16 :)

[@IzzyOnTheMove]

You've made a friend!! Wow, Monika found a gem!!

[@LargeHadronAnusCollider]

that scenery even if its a bit dead in spots looks like heaven compared to Sydney, i really wish we had opportunities like that. Great video .

[@santisanti8386]

Good luck to Monica and her family in their new house!

[@ChaniJapan]

I agree. Lovely people 🩷

[@hedgehoghogtel1694]

Wow, fabby house, and lovely that you are around to help Monika settle in etc. Nice to have a new 'pilgrim' buddy for you too, Chani! I get the feeling we will be seeing more of Monika on your channel 🙂!

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

What a lovely video! How kind of you to help Monica. She's quite fortunate to have you and that home!

[@osampoandnews]

Those special sliding shoji screens are called "neko-ma-shoji." It is said that in the past, there was no glass on the bottom, so cats could enter and exit freely, which is why they are called "nekomashoji."

[@ChaniJapan]

@@osampoandnews very cute explanation. I haven’t heard that one before but I like it 😽

[@brinjpn]

I dream of owning a home in the Japanese countryside one day! I want to move near Aomori, Akita, or even in Hokkaido!

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

Chani, another great video thank you my friend.

[@ChaniJapan]

You’re very welcome 😊

[@le_th_]

Monica is so lucky to have you as a helpful friend because it is *very difficult* to get a drivers license in Japan if you are NOT a permanent resident, and without a Japanese driver's license, you might be able to briefly rely on an international drivers license, but only for the first year. I was just looking this up online 4-5 hours ago when I decided I was ready to purchase a home in Niigata (I'm planning a trip from the US in November). The Japanese police do NOT look kindly on people using an international driving license, but apparently they tolerate it for those on tourist visas for a short term. So happy you have a new friend, and even happier that Monica found her dream home! I've been using those little dehumidifiers for years and I dearly love them. They have saved me many a time living in a humid climate. Bamboo sounds so lovely when the winds blows, but it also attracts mosquitos, so I avoid it whenever I can (they love type O blood, so I'm like desert for mosquitos). Thrilled you have another "foreigner" to meet up with!! It's so important to remain social when you move abroad, and it's not easy to do, especially if you're working full time. Lastly, mold is NO JOKE and it can proliferate and destroy a home in a matter of days, making it unsafe to inhabit, and it happens in a few days in a hot humid environment. A lot of people don't learn this until it's too late and it happens to them, so I really appreciate you making others aware. Learning that lesson the hard way while I was out of town on business cost me about $20-25K USD. Yes, I was fully insured. Looking forward to the Caine's haul!

[@junedizer827]

Chani, your kindness shines above everything in this video! What a beautiful Akiya Monica has found. I’m sure you will be friends for many years. Hi Millie! Your tomodachi in Indiana, June

[@IamTheOppressor]

The aesthetic of that neighborhood with the rocks and walls is so cool, it's unlike anything in my area in the US.

[@tomomiko202]

Great video, and a remarkably beautiful house. All your videos (and especially this one) give me hope and strengthen my resolve to live in Japan again, sooner the better.

[@ChaniJapan]

That is good. I'm glad you got some inspiration and hope from the videos and Monika's story 🩷

[@iaminbetweendays]

Thanks for the video. Monica lucked out meeting you.

[@lizardears4861]

Chani, great that you are able to connect with and help Monica!👍🏻

[@Bentears]

Wow, hope Monica and her family will be very happy. How exciting!!

[@ChaniJapan]

I’m excited for them too! 😊

[@KK868x]

Another great story thanks for sharing, wow such bargain! 😊

[@ChaniJapan]

@@KK868x I think she got a real bargain. Nearly fully renovated.

[@SuperHowie001]

Great place Monica. Also very colourful outfit you are wearing 👍

[@ChaniJapan]

@@SuperHowie001 I really loved her outfit too!

[@randolphmurdockiii6523]

Chani - nice of you to meet up with a fellow ex-pat. She managed a great bargain on that house! Next thing you know, besides the Japanese lessons you could be a Welcome Wagon rep for the Wakayama area. I also wanted you to know that I have seen some of the ruder comments on previous videos. Keep being you! If they aren't supplying money or labor, they get no opinion!

[@frithbarbat]

This makes me want to move to Japan. I paid more for my house in Montenegro than she did, which blows my mind.

[@VirtualHorizonz]

Nice buy for 4 mill Y especially with the new plumbing. Very nice of you to help her out 👍

[@raymonde4272]

Congratulations to Monica on her new/old house it was certainly finished to a high standard by the company that renovated it for sale. You mentioned Chani that it was 30 minutes walk from the station(15 by bicycle I assume)and there were no schools nearby, what about a supermarket or convenience store? As I imagine that would be an important consideration too to get ingredients for a meal at short notice.

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes. There are some good shops where you can get everything about 20 mins away where the bus stop is.

[@aviewer9516]

I love shopping trips with new friends and old. Glad you had a great time!

[@epiwhittaker5617]

Hi Chani, It's always nice to meet and help one of your subscribers in Japan.

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes! So happy I could meet her and be part of her journey.

[@epiwhittaker5617]

​good on you 😊@@ChaniJapan

[@marianela111]

Beautiful house, and I really like the outside. When it's done, it will have amazing curbside appeal. Greetings from a sunny chilly London morning. 🐈🌻🙏🫶

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes. She has some great ideas planned 😃

[@CB-sx8xh]

So much potential for that front garden!

[@lizgreen6079]

I so look forward to watching your weekly videos. I’m still building up courage to sign up for you Japanese course. I’m currently learning via an app and I find the Hiragana and Kanji fascinating. I haven’t learnt much Katana yet though. Lease keep the videos coming. X

[@vigerminaberrios4116]

What a nice story, I love helping people. And now you have a friend you can talk to. Love your videos can’t wait for next week. Stay healthy and happy always ❤

[@KarMa-ws3ll]

what a wonderful home this is! So much light and nice historical details! Are "reformers" people specialized on renovating akiyas?

[@valli_chenae]

So awesome that you were able to help your friend get settled in! Her house looks great and that was such a great price! And haha, what adventures does Millie get into on the next video? 😅😺

[@qtdcanada]

What a nice story of you meeting Monica through your YT channel, and helping her out with shopping for household items! Even if Monica & her family could only stay 90 days a year, on tourist visa, for now the price of 4 million Yens is very good for this nice house. It is a bit out of the way, but the big plus is that it has been renovated (structure & plumbing system updated) before move-in.

[@catarinaassuncao157]

Amazing to have a friend living near you ❤

[@CryptoSaraDubai]

Lovely. Just was I have planned for 2025, buying a Akiya in Japan 🥳

[@ChaniJapan]

Great! That is awesome.

[@VictorioArellano]

What a fun video! Great interview.

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks so much!

[@CarpeDMVPN]

This is amazing. You should start a consulting business on akiya acquisition! I am working on my JLPT N2 so I could get a job in Japan, hoping to do that by next year. Great video!

[@ChaniJapan]

I do get a lot of requests 🤣

[@smileytow1925]

Wow great video, how lucky to connect with one of your viewers! Was great for you both! Camper, delivery van, and daily drive, very good choice!! ❤️ keep these videos coming

[@JennyA]

I should have done this when I lived in Japan about 10 years ago. Glad I found this channel so I can get some hints about how to go about buying a house over there. I just wonder what kind of visa I could get as I really do not want to teach English ever again.

[@ChaniJapan]

Good luck with your house hunting! I know there are a lot of different visa options. I am a teacher so, I don't mind teaching. 😀 IT is another popular industry if you can get any IT qualifications.

[@hanabeewee]

your videos always brighten up my day, thank you Chani and Millie 💜🌸

[@ChaniJapan]

That is so nice of you 🩷 Thanks 🐱

[@lorrane2177]

Best wishes to Monika and her new home. Love your channel. ❤

[@ChaniJapan]

I agree. She will love it 🥰

[@lanieparker5730]

I really enjoy your channel, I am living vicariously through your adventures! I was hoping to find out where Monica was moving from, as I picked up on her almost getting in the drivers seat as she was picked up from the airport early in your video, drawing my conclusion that she was perhaps from North America or someplace where passengers are on the right side…..couldn’t tell as she was speaking in the interview. What fun! So glad you now have a expat pal! Looking forward to more of your content. Take care!

[@ChaniJapan]

Poland 🇵🇱

[@nguyentuandang5091]

Hello Chani, I read your story on a Vietnamese newspaper recently. Our family live in Kyoto (me, my wife and our infant son), we really wanna visit you someday if you don’t mind and give us a chance.

[@edwinaflannery9828]

As always just love your vlogs, so interesting, you are so kind to help Monica too..❤

[@louisehowe2451]

Welcome back to Japan, Monika! How lucky for her that she had a "wo-man with a van" to help her. I'm sure that you two ladies will be good for each other. 😀

[@ChaniJapan]

Yes it was lovely to meet her!

[@mickanderson3593]

Just got home to OZ from 4 weeks in Japan, can understand the aircon needed in summer. I've only ever been in Feb/March for snowboarding. Was bloody hot and humid from Aomori to Okayama. Checked out some akiya while travelling around. Interesting. Just need to find the right area for me.

[@Mishaschroetter]

What an affaire this house! Nice to see it.

[@ChrisAmparado]

Love the wooden floor

[@ChaniJapan]

Me too! 😍 Her house is just lovely.

[@michellelee4843]

I envy your life 😊.I live in Singapore with my three cats though 😊

[@ChaniJapan]

@@michellelee4843 🩷you have three cats 😽😽😽

[@anna_m59]

Chani can you please make a video about healthcare system?

[@Ayelet.M]

So cool! Can’t wait for my turn one day! 🎉

[@codeninja100]

4 million yen for that beautiful home? WOW! what a dream. So happy for her and her family

[@hermes8258]

I am guessing Polish or Czech. Thanks for the interview.

[@kellyhaines764]

Thank you for getting the new Katakana workbook out. You had mentioned in workbook Hiragana 2 that you would be teaching more on Particles. Is that covered in Katakana or a separate teaching in the future?

[@ChaniJapan]

That will be our next step after Katakana! We will get straight into forming sentences. Using all the script we’ve learnt plus kanji and particles 🩷🇯🇵

[@gaybs23]

Cant wait to watch your shopping haul.❤❤😊

[@cecilearquette1637]

Moving to a new place without knowing anyone is tough. I wish you had been my neighbor when I went to live in Chile!

[@Ufiles473]

Next year i will buy mine

[@ChaniJapan]

Yay😃🏡

[@dealman3312]

Komeda coffee is a great place to work on your laptop and have a bite to eat. Surprised to see the contractor wearing a mask 🤔

[@Bubblepoot]

My wife and I would love to do this one day , but it's a scary process, it's also scary being alone in Japan without our family, cant speak the language, how far away it is from the states, being close to China / Russia / n Korea, and natural disasters. 😅 So wish we knew someone over there. We are middle age too and want to live in the country. But it seems incredibly tough to make that happen and integrate

[@ChaniJapan]

Natural disasters are happening a lot lately 🥲

[@LorraineinAustralia]

This was a Nice story.. cheers from Oz🐨🐨

[@mariaeugeniarodrigues4048]

Hi, Chani 😊 Que gratificante es poder recibir y ser recibido, en este caso por tí. .el acompañamiento en los primeros momentos de desembarco en otro país. Llena el corazón y da una cálides amorosa. Hermosa casa 🏡. Y el barrio parece apacible, me enamoré 😅 del lugar. Yo camino como 15 minutos a la estación de tren en mí pequeña ciudad. El tema es cuando tengo que llevar o traer cosas, 😊 pero también tengo esta la posibilidad de ir en bicicleta y dejarla en el guarda bicicleta que hay, aquí. Bueno, disfrute mucho este encuentro, gracias por compartirlo ❤😊😊

[@ChaniJapan]

Thanks so much 🩷

[@GrayZ-tx4hp]

Really cool, I don't think this is my path, but nice to see the content, thank you!

[@Katzenjammer82]

You’re a lovely person Chani! Great video :)

[@NatsuN-x7y]

I had so much fun watching this video! How exciting and WELCOME to Japan, Monica! You girls should visit Shikoku , Yoshida san and we all want you back here to visit us again! :D D n N

[@Its_Dave_Just_Dave]

Thats an amazingly big place and in great condition.

[@ChaniJapan]

A really good renovation job. Very impressive. I think she found a good one!

[@_dewinther]

Thanks great vlog 💖💖💖

[@LuisMCTrabuco]

Amazing! I have a plan too. Hopefully our dream can come true. Thanks for sharing your videos!

[@ChaniJapan]

Great to have a plan 😀

[@faamp]

Millie is looking gorgeous 😍

[@cocolenchojapan]

Beautiful house for a great price!