I Bought The Cheapest House in Tokyo (2024)

Welcome to my New Renovation Project! 🏠
We're about to embark on an amazing journey in Shinjuku - Central Tokyo!
FINAL HOUSE TOUR OUT NOW! Available in the playlist! RThank you for your support!
• Transforming my Abando...
More fun DIY projects coming! Stay tuned xxxx
Now, let's talk plans. We've got some amazing ideas brewing, but I'm all about collaboration. Your thoughts, ideas, and feedback mean the world to me.
Seriously, drop them in the comments below.
Thank you for being a part of this new, exciting part of my life!
xoxo, Anton in Japan
Nakano Renovation Series was entirely shot and edited by Julian Domanski:
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I Bought The Cheapest House in Tokyo (2024)
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Step Into My Renovated Japandi Paradise: Tokyo Home Tour

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

SUPER EXCITED TO DIG INTO THIS NEW RENOVATION PROJECT 💥🔨 Thank you for following along! Please let me know in the comments if you have any question! Xoxo Anton in Japan

[@ded2u2]

the mailbox tho😍 when is the auction??

[@norikodore]

Hi. You mentioned in the Video that you used material instead of paper for the shoji doors (in your Sangenjaya DIY?). Can you let me know what material you used, or the video where you explained this? Im interested in a solution that isnt this easy to break paper.

[@andreygilev3942]

Hi, Anton! If it’s not a big secret, can you please tell what is cost of house like this?!! 🙏

[@ameliahuang604]

Very exciting venture! I wonder why so Japanese housing is often uninsulated? Love the idea of creating a loft space. If heating is a challenge though, is it possible to increase its warmth with floor heating? Does that work for tatami rooms?

[@igor3122]

yeah, litteraly dig XD

[@jeremycloutier7971]

I always had two dreams (goals). Renovating houses, renting it and then going to japan. When I watched your first series I got inspired so much that my new goal/dream is to combine both and do the same as you. I bought your book, I am saving all my money and I started to learn Japanese after years of telling myself I should start! I hope one day I will be able to meet you in japan and say hello!! Good luck with your new akiya! I am excited to watch this series! Much love from Canada

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Follow your dreams Jeremy!

[@UnimportantAcc]

Wow that staircase looks amazing

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Will definitely keep it! I won the lottery!

[@UnimportantAcc]

@@ANTONINJAPAN I think it'll blend perfectly with your Scandinavian style! Also can I just say I really appreciate you showing the Japanese vocab up on screen when you mention the names for things. I'd say I'm about N3 level-ish so I've never seen a lot of these words before. どうもありがとうございます！🙇‍♂️🙏🙏

[@Spangletiger]

I'm glad that he wants to keep it, and the wall lamp too!

[@wahzit2u]

This house does look like you are starting with so much more than the last house you renovated. Such a clean healthy looking crawl space, so great that those windows slide back and forth to show how settling hadn’t greatly affected the house. Was it this trash free when you got it? If so, how wonderful not to have to deal with all that. Perhaps the owners of this house loved the house and did their best to maintain it, until they could not. Good luck with your new project! You are very thoughtful and careful. I know you will make it wonderful!

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Thank you for noticing! This is the best house so far and I am more than excited! 💥🔨 Thank you for following along, demolition video out soon!

[@ashtopham3130]

I love how you incorporate japanese words into the video! Also showing the hosues unique features.

[@margretabroad4873]

I would keep the light blue tiles in the bathroom on the second floor. They look neat. And I'm looking forward to seeing the renovation.

[@cs2181]

I would recommend tearing down the wall between the bathroom and the second entrance/corridor, so you have a bigger bathroom with the basin included. It's a bit strange to have a bath room, toilet room and a wash basin room, so I would just merge all of it into one bigger room. This place has SO much potential man!

[@plektosgaming]

Absolutely do this. The main floor should be the bathroom (and washing machine) and kitchen/eating area. The second floor the living room and den area, and the third floor the main bedroom. Or reverse that with the bedroom on the second story and the third story a nice office/den.

[@gemcitydad9509]

it's not that uncommon.

[@SIC647]

The Japanese often prefer it like that.

[@karmacop217]

Could you do a playlist for this akiya, I watched a lot of videos on your last one, but it was kinda hard finding them in chronological order. Other than that, something about construction videos itch a part of my brain in a way, I really enjoy these videos looking forward to seeing more of this renovation. Thank you.

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Done and Done! (2024) SHINJUKU RENOVATION HOUSE #AKIYA Created! Let me know what you think of the name and what you want to see in future episodes! Estimated of 8-10 episodes in total, Arigatou gozaimasu

[@karmacop217]

@@ANTONINJAPAN thank you :) the name is perfect, you could probably have some furniture recommendations in the videos as well

[@t1nt0p]

Really like your idea of dropping the floor and putting a large granite slab in that corner at the base of the stairs, act like a landing pad for the sun and a nice solid first step coming into the stairs from the side. As a bonus in the winter, the sun hitting the granite slab will retain heat well.

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Thanks a lot! My worry is the weight of the granite.. a big wooden slab could be cool as well but I think stone would look so much cooler 😊

[@clairemogg6414]

This house looks so much more sturdy to start with than the last one. Also great that you have less trips ro the tip than with the old house. Cant wait to see if you find any secret outdoor sheds leading to treasure like last time. You give us an amazing look into the architecture of these houses. Love the little translated words on the screen in the corner its great to learn from. Thank you for these videos, Good luck with this renovation!

[@morraine01]

Love it! The staircase was the first thing I noticed when you went in. Love it. Can’t wait to follow along and see the transformation. It’s going to be beautiful ❤

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Awesome! Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions

[@morraine01]

@@ANTONINJAPAN one thought I had was for the upstairs loft idea. I believe you mentioned you’d like more light in that room. Would windows up in the loft area help with that?

[@pspicerwensley]

Polycarbonate double sheeting could replace the heavy broken wire glass and have superior thermal and sound protection. It should be cost effective and is easy to work with. I would recommend using high reflective diffusion paint in the stairwell. You can get upwards of 95% reflective light with the right paint.

[@emajohnes372]

Love this series it really is helping me learn alot about buying abandoned and old houses in japan and renovated it keep up the good work i really learn alot , i wish u have a nice day ❤❤😊

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Glad to hear it! I hope you like the next episode! Loads of demolition action happening. 🇯🇵❤️🇸🇪

[@7728abbott]

Next, please! The new house is a great canvas for you to show your talents! Such pure contemporary elements found in these wonderful Japanese houses! Go for it, Anton!

[@wolfinthewheatfields3224]

Love that you're planning to honour the traditional and retro parts of the home, those stairs were beautiful- and some of those lamps are rare as! Probably worth a small fortune if you were to sell them xD haven't seen the glass windows with the steel grid inside in a few years, they used to be really popular here in Australia in the 80s as security screens - every now and again i find a place with them still. Dirt crawl space with the concrete and stumps is typical for places built near rivers too. We also do the same thing in Australia, its done that way so you can adjust the house when the clay soil shifts and moves and prevents moisture - so interesting to see the similarities between two countries in the old build style! Super excited to see what you do anyways :) living the dream mate!

[@martinwinther6013]

Relax with the mirrors. Plain white/brightcoloured walls will take you a long way, and you wont turn paranoid from watching yourself all the time

[@pissybadger4446]

Agreed.

[@dudesuh]

I love that staircase! And I think a super tall ceiling for the upper room would be lovely. Maybe you could use the second door and create a small outdoor accessible closet for some gardening tools, and maybe upgrade that upstairs sink area with a new sink and make it into a small cafe area with like an awning or something

[@vasilikonstan]

I highly recommend that you put a Washer & Dryer in the unit somewhere. When I travel in Japan, I exclusively book Airbnbs with in-unit Washer & Dryer. You can actually search for this amenity in Airbnb. There are fewer of these rentals out there, and in my experience, they tend to book faster than rentals without in-unit laundry. I believe it is well worth the initial investment. The Dryer is key: while Japanese people are accustomed to hang-drying their clothes, many non-Japanese travelers find it to be a big hassle.

[@crisuwu2457]

Good luck with the renovation! I'll be looking forward to the end result and of course, the entire process!!!😊🧡

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Happy to have you! Exciting things to come 🌞

[@fg37]

Lots of potential and i like the ideas being put forward, best of luck anton

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Thanks a ton! I am more than excited!

[@lilacdew42]

I was so excited to see that you had purchased another house to renovate! Your videos are a lot of fun. I had thought that you were going to buy a house in Chibi, though, because you had spent so much time there. LOL, but this will work out instead! Can't wait to start!

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Thank you for following! Chiba was on the radar for a long time, but it unfortunately never happened. Maybe for the better, who knows!

[@sharonlibator]

That weird, outdoor wash basin could be turned into an outdoor spigot. It would be convenient to keep a water source upstairs. Maybe hang a bucket off it or put a plant underneath in an attractive pot? I've seen some very attractive outdoor fixtures that are functional but meant to be decorative, too. Nice looking property! I look forward to seeing what you do with the renovation.

[@vigerminaberrios4116]

Yay another demo and Reno can’t wait to see it ❤

[@Spangletiger]

If it was affordable, the kitchen genkan could serve as the main entrance and then, since you are removing the side wall to the other genkan, that door could be replaced with a floor to ceiling window or if the front windows were to be replaced, the frame could be extended to incorporate the space from that doorway to create three floor to ceiling windows. Where windows open to reveal boundary walls partially blocking out sunlight, a budget-friendly solution could be to paint those sections of wall with white paint to help reflect light towards the window.

[@IAmEgoism]

Good luck with your new project Anton-San! It's lovely to see all your thought process beforehand, i'm pretty sure it will come out really good actually, i'll be waiting for the demolition video, stay safe

[@akira7092]

soo excited for a new project! best luck with it, it will be delighted to look at the changes!

[@user-kr2pm5vm4x]

Gosh! Now I’m pumped to see this renovation done. I can’t wait!💓

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Yay! Thank you!

[@lirskarex2710]

You could probobly insulate the roofs to keep the heat inn during winter and keep the heat out during summer in the attict. Aswell as make a ladder up and like a cozy sosial spot in the attict, since the house doesnt seem to have that much of it.

[@pspicerwensley]

A light pipe might be a good idea for the kitchen dining room. You can use external light pipe or come down from the roof through the ceiling.

[@sifu2u_now]

Nice stairs… good idea to keep it. Love your renovation journey. Lots of hard work but the end result is worth it.

[@Adrian-bv5xn]

Anton, it’s such a great hobby or passion to have! This project looks mega and I can’t wait the result. I’m sure you’ll make the best out of it. Fingers crossed!

[@FrauWNiemand]

A hidden jewel. The Tokonoma pillar is extremely beautiful. For the small balkony I would not put the washing machine onto, but go for the table and chairs instead. This looks like a beautifull spot to sit and read a book while watching the bustling city - or to hang the wet clothes after washing. I know there is always a lack of space in japanese cities and when I visited we had all the washing machines, but no place to dry our clothes.

[@melissaralston5354]

I would put sliding retractable windows , so u bring outside in , so it opens n gives the feeling of bigger

[@Picklejuice1085]

Super excited to see how this renovation comes along

[@rolandgdean]

I find it interesting how there are so many translucent windows in lieu of transparent windows to allow natural light even though there is NO view outside of them. It's an interesting solution to the light issues you'd have building a meter away from another building. Really looking forward to this build.

[@FannyGodMother]

I’m so excited to watch the renovation process! That staircase is stunning :)

[@leighnisbett9691]

The cupboard in the kitchen could be used as storage for your non-perishables and a place to put a combined boiler for hot water ,it's a space saver .

[@ouagadougou62]

Looks like an interesting project but from what you're saying you're planning mostly cosmetic improvements. You should change all the windows and install double pane windows, and put better insulation all around, with double pane windows, it will be so much quieter. If you raise the ceiling and leave it exposed, you'll experience extreme heat in summer and very cold in winter. At 13:47 the roof it looks like slate, there's a good chance that it has asbestos in it.

[@ritahorvath8207]

Reminds me of " perfect days " . ♡

[@bezymjannaja]

Can't wait! And good luck!

[@razorrushing7061]

This is cool I get to see a new project from the beginning, not play catch up. I can’t weight for the next update.

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Thanks for following along! This will be fun!

[@SoloYolo84]

love how u say tadaima when no one was there….looks like perfect for Airbnb in shinjuku

[@jeannerogers7085]

Young man, you are outta yer mind with this place! I will enjoy seeing you make this shack beautiful.

[@LorraineinAustralia]

Looking forward to seeing how this Reno all works out.. Cheers🐨

[@28naveenator27van]

Look s like a very exciting project to work on. can't wait to see the progress videos.

[@Funica11]

I can't wait to see the after😊

[@sharrison6795]

How exciting! I just found your channel and I'm so jealous. Looking forward to watching you transform this space!

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Welcome aboard! This will be fun 🫡

[@heinrichvisser8518]

Congratulations, I love challenges like this. The house will be amazing in a few months.

[@GomezBro]

I am going to move to Japan and start doing this exact thing. I will own 200 homes before the end of my life....

[@EvaChan]

Can't wait to see how this one turns out!

[@tr8d3r]

I am not sure about building codes in Japan, but you could improve lighting on your top floor with skylights. I have seen some buildings with skylights in Japan, but it is quite rare. There may be special concerns about how they are framed in the context of earthquakes.

[@UnboundedArtandCrafts]

Wouldn't you be scared of fire when directing the sun on a mirror? The house has a lot of potential ❤

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Great concern! Will elaborate

[@BlossomBudStudios]

You could actually take that extra door and take out that area and expand the bathroom and bathtub area and then add a closet in there somewhere but that area is big enough to make those things bigger and give the future residents a bigger bathtub!

[@weeklyfascination]

Can't wait to see teh progress as well as the final project.

[@chooihoonlim4691]

Anton, been following your videos. Beautiful house no regret❤️

[@oz_strings]

Please be careful, putting any mirror at the end of the staircase where direct sunlight might reflect off it could be a potential fire hazard.

[@Deme0n_]

Agreed

[@untokyo]

Or these are gonna be the first things to fall off at any small earthquake. Very delicious

[@dees3179]

Yes, came to say this as well. But polished light coloured stone might work well at bouncing light without being a fire hazard. Perhaps light coloured marble mosaic on flexible mounting so it moves with the house as it flexes during earth movements.

[@oz_strings]

@@dees3179 good idea. Hope Anton sees our comments.

[@crazyjoe4020]

Was thinking this as well

[@RichardAquino-zi7si]

Cool. Like the staircase and the sunlight 💯

[@lazvegaz]

Thank you for giving me inspiration and information, and for opening my eyes to what's like out there in Akiya realm

[@chipsnotchunks2620]

It has alot of potential

[@leighnisbett9691]

The ceiling space could be insulated with some flooring placed on top of the insulation for storage .

[@alxsimovic]

That’s actually not too bad ❤

[@George2647g]

Please check out Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture - he was famous for an idea that the entrance should be small and narrow and then open out into a much wider and larger space... Just food for thought with that small hallway at the entrance..

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

A legend! Love his work

[@morisoba2550]

Japanese here. The location is legally not allowed to demolish the house and build a new one. Therefore, you have no choice but to renovate and live there. The reason why the selling price of the house is very low is because its renovation is extremely hard or very expensive. It's important to note that if the foundations are damaged, new ones will have to be built, and such old houses are poorly insulated, so insulation must be installed in all parts of the floor, walls and ceiling, and the windows must be double-glazed.

[@plektosgaming]

It looks like if you could convince the neighbor to remove the fence and wall - maybe put a gate in to the road, it would be possible to fit a very small car there. My guess is that that wall and staircase was added later as you would normally have a driveway to a home. Check the history for sure. You might be able to work out something that gives both you access if you are creative. If that's too much of a headache, moving the gate back 2-3 ft would let you park something right next to the street as a compromise, as it looks like the real issue is that fence that goes right to the road and the gate being way too far forward.

[@kkx9438]

Can you please do a video about budget for purchase and renovation?

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Coming soon! 🫡

[@flottenheimer]

Looking forward to this transformation.

[@KatHassinger]

I love it ! And the mailbox

[@Divig]

I really thought you would make the window in the kitchen larger. If you remove the upper storage (as you implied) it would fit a larger window. Or would that affect the earthquake safety in some way?

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Arigatou! Potentially, it is more about whats on the other side: a neighboring house just a few dm away. I wont get a nice view neither any sunlight so was thinking about removing it completely.. time will tell ;)

[@Divig]

@@ANTONINJAPAN true, if you have white glossy tiles instead of the window and can reflect light into the space from the other windows it might work as well.

[@josefbry]

Hi Anton. If possible i will make of front big windows in the second room remove one meter of the floor, so you can get lot of sunlight in rooms downbelow.

[@_Zane__]

Are most of the windows in Japan single pane glass? Weird how they dont have any double or triple pane windows.. or is it because of earthquakes? Also is spray foam insulation an option in any of these houses?

[@sharonlibator]

I live in an earthquake area (Washington State, USA). We use double-pane or triple-pane glass with "earthquake film" installed on it. It's a clear, stretchy film that you don't notice, but it keeps the glass in the frame if the window cracks or is broken during a quake. A common injury from earthquakes is from broken glass. As a bonus, the window can't be smashed in for access to the house (security reason).

[@GreatSageSunWukong]

As someone who is 5'2 I do not like high celings, it means you need to buy a ladder to clean up around the ceiling and change lightbulbs and then you have to find somewhere to put the ladder. I find it strange you want to make the ceiling higher in japan where people are shorter and older, the elderly do not want to climb ladders.

[@SA-ym7ry]

Since he already renovated another older house and mentioned doing something like AirBnB with it, so I assume he’ll also be renting this one out to tourists, too. Not really aimed at Japanese elderly as a long-term home.

[@GreatSageSunWukong]

@@SA-ym7ry ahh right I see, I was thinking old japanese would be the most likely to buy as they have the most cash.

[@aedwards1289]

I love Shinjuku!!! I spotted what seems to be an abandoned house in Edogawa when I was in Tokyo last year. Your videos are so helpful but how to find out who the owner is and if they're willing to sell is another story.🤔

[@09conrado]

Before lowering floors check for flood risks. Free tip from the Netherlands

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Ho gaat et!

[@pikapikabunny3648]

Why not close the second door next to the bathrooms but keep most of the wall in between and then just put a door to a combined bathing area (to where the guy is standing in front of in 10:33). By that you would gain about a meter in space that can be added to the washing room and technically also the bathroom if you do not want to keep them separated. If keeping them separated you would gain a meter in space by removing the wall from the bathtub room to add the mirror and basin to get ready

[@jsmith6259]

Recently bored a house in Nagoya- This is definitely the house that I avoided because it doesn't have parking

[@amarisgilmore4103]

Is your book only on Amazon? I won't have access to amazon until I am back in the US in June. Good luck! It looks like a lot of work, and I am excited to see the finished results. Without reading the book, can we know how much you purchased the house for with taxes?

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Paperback only on amazon! E-book available on apple, barnes and nobles etc 🙏

[@たたたた-f3m]

That entrance 😮

[@SugarQuKeMaster]

Foundations are my exciting part

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Youll see the next video :)

[@over60-notdead98]

I like the design direction of this new project, and I am excited to follow along as the spaces change. However, I would like to know the costs involved. Can you please give us a rough estimate of the expenses for the house, renovations, decor, and any unexpected issues that may arise? It would be great to have this information provided in each upload, either at the end of the episode or in the comments. I have been feeling the pull to relocate to Japan for the past eight years, and I am interested in purchasing an Akiya to live in. I have renovated every house that I have lived in, and I plan to do the same with this one. Lastly, I would like to know if it is possible to have more outside space. Currently, I have a Zen backyard space with a 3000-gallon koi pond, and I would love to have a similar setup in this new space."

[@thehungrygoldfish]

It’s all free!

[@Annie-ex3ge]

It's a beautiful house. I really like tatami rooms. They are calming to me and very flexible in their use. Anton, if you read this: what kind of place do you yourself live in? Greetings from Germany!

[@giddygamergurl7629]

Not gonna lie. I'm excited to see what you do with this house too.

[@garetz00]

Usually there is a drain in your toilet if there is a chance of flooding from a clogged toilet.

[@janeta.6177]

Will this be a vacation rental or an Airbnb?

[@threemothers]

Is it common to have inbuilt freezers in the floor? If so any links to how to buy one? I love the idea

[@frenchartantiquesparis424]

Beautiful !

[@piperlynne1]

sucky thing about open shelves is the stuff on them gets dusty constantly and you have to take everything off them and clean them so I'm not a fan of open shelves in the kitchen except for a few things that you use every day.

[@elaurs]

Looks like a diamond in the rough - it's going to be awesome!

[@caraarslan]

Actually, a drain in the toilet makes sense. The toilet area collects a lot of lint. Simply washing them away is the easiest.

[@A_S-WELL]

Hi namesake. :) Nice video and project.

[@mattysones]

Are you replacing the upstairs tatami? Bc i cringed when i saw you walking on them with your shoes on 😅

[@armancinar4044]

Cool video again!

[@craiggillett5985]

It’s going to look great, however be cautious around lowering the inside floor, it’s already very close to the ground and I would be wary of flooding during extreme rain events, particularly if you are laying real hardwood floors, it’s definitely got huge potential for a Scandinavian influence. There’s an Aussie guy who restored a traditional house : youtube.com/@tokyollama?si=YKVqTtmwaRansAqU definitely worth checking him out, he did double glazing updated the kitchen and bathrooms similar to yours but in a larger scale. Keep the tap on the outside balcony, it will be useful for watering planters and other pot plants.

[@SonyaForest]

I wonder how much the renovation will cost in the end?

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Hopefully within budget.. will talk about that in the next few videos. Fingers crossed!

[@thor1511]

Hey Anton, i am also interested in renovating a house in japan like you, but arent you worried about earthquakes destroying the homes?

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Video regarding this coming in future episodes! Talk a lot about this in my book as well.

[@mrico523]

Nice place, lots of potential.

[@spencerpierce1251]

Tease! 😜

[@spencerpierce1251]

@Anton, what do you think about IKEA furniture? You seem to like solid wood versus manufactured wood.

[@ANTONINJAPAN]

Youll see in future episodes!

[@rushcarlton]

Bro, “Japan-dinavian” has been there for the taking all this time!

[@bailey-k6b]

How much did it cost to buy????????? How much will reno cost?????????

[@norikodore]

Hi, I stumbled across your youtube channel since Im looking for Japan DIY inspiration (Wife inhereited an old house with some very run down shop front rooms I wan to renovate) You mentioned in the video in your sangenjaya house DIY you used material instead of the traditional paper. d like to do something similar. What material did you use, or can you point me to the youtube video where you show this (Sorry I had trouble finding the exact video). Thanks heaps!