Buying an Akiya in Japan | Things to look for

Buying an Akiya (vacant house in Japan) can be very exciting, but there are many things to look for and be aware of. Come for a tour around our traditional Japanese House in rural Japan and learn first hand some areas to look for in reference to water control and damage. Thanks!
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Welcome to our channel, where we share our journey of restoring a traditional Japanese minka, which we bought as a cheap abandoned house in the picturesque countryside of Japan. Join us as we breathe new life into this former akiya, exploring the beauty of traditional architecture and the challenges of renovating a house in Japan.
As foreigners living in Japan, we've embraced the opportunity to restore this minka, a symbol of Japan's rich cultural heritage. Learn about the craftsmanship involved in minka construction, from bamboo and earth to straw, and discover how these materials create a harmonious living space.
Our journey began with purchasing this akiya for 5 million yen (approximately $35,000 USD), including not just the minka but also a guest house, storage building, and a generous plot of land with trees. We'll share tips and insights into the challenges and rewards of renovating a traditional Japanese house in the countryside, showcasing the unique blend of history and modern living.
Whether you're a fellow renovator, a lover of Japanese culture, or simply curious about life in rural Japan, our channel has something for you. Subscribe to follow our progress, get renovation tips, and immerse yourself in the charm of traditional Japanese architecture. Let's embark on this journey together and rediscover the beauty of a bygone era, right in the heart of Japan's countryside.
#TraditionalJapaneseHouse #MinkaRenovation #AbandonedHouseJapan #CountrysideLiving #JapanRenovationJourney #buyanakiya
Other videos of our Akiya traditional Japanese house renovation:
/ @cocolenchojapan
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***Recommend using “Chrome” as a browser for Japanese to English translation.***
Akiya Bank for my area near Iwakuni City and Hiroshima City: Miwa Town in Yamaguchi
iwakuni-iju.jp...
Miwa Town Information:
iwakuni-iju.jp...
Dave Olson's website:
Dave provides many links and information Akiya and Komika purchase.
daveostory.com...
At Akiya Sumai you can search for vacant houses around Japan.
akiya.sumai.biz
At Ie Ichiba there is a Bulletin board to search vacant houses / Akiya Houses and old buildings in Japan
www.ieichiba.com
Other Useful Links:
www.akiya-mart...
cheaphousesjap...
www.athome.co.jp/
www.kurasapo.net/
www.koryoya.com/
www.homes.co.j...
www.inakanet.jp...
www.akiya-atho...

[@Executordee]

Wow, I knew the crawlspace were used as storage... but for house humidity and temp control? was not one of them. XD Love how lush and green everything is!

[@cocolenchojapan]

yeah looking lush but boy does it grow soooooo fast!

[@MatsukawaZaraki]

This is great information for anyone looking to buy an akiya! Lots of this is maintenance I'll be doing REALLY soon hahahaha I'll be there in just over a week!

[@cocolenchojapan]

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing your videos! Have a safe trip

[@kanikimcnicholas2077]

I enjoy your videos, not only are they informative but entertaining as well, looking forward to future posts. I have my eye on an Akyia on shikoku at the moment but it is slow going as I am in Hawaii and communication w/ the realtor is slow,as I know very little Japanese I have to use a pocket translator.

[@cocolenchojapan]

Thank you very much for your kind comment. That’s what I strive for. I have been using ChatGPT for translating text. It does a really good job and very quick. Shikoku is a beautiful island. We just drove through there a few weeks ago and a video is coming soon. Maybe someday I can visit your place!

[@kanikimcnicholas2077]

@@cocolenchojapan Thanks for the tip about chat GPT, I'll give it a try. If all goes to plan, maybe I will have the chance to visit your place as well.

[@diealexus]

Interesting! In most videos it feels like people talk about the costs of renovation for the inside of the house. Renovations on the outside can also be pretty costly! Thanks for this reminder.

[@cocolenchojapan]

Thanks! I have a few of those too :-) but there’s so much more to the inside!

[@RealRuralJapan]

That back lawn area looks awesome after the mower had at it! I was wondering what the water run was about on the lower back garden and it’s just a drainage ditch. Maybe the concrete tubs that are now your veg garden was used for something like washing area for clothes back in the day.

[@cocolenchojapan]

Thanks Steve! Yeah the lawnmower is a godsend. I think so too. Stay cool and don’t dehydrate 😃

[@ruthrodriguez5173]

Hi Lencho I love to see the country side specially during raining season!! ❤ Saludos!

[@cocolenchojapan]

Hola Ruth! Yes it’s beautiful 🤩! Hope all is well

[@DLG24]

Thank you! I'm going watch this after lunch!

[@cocolenchojapan]

Thank you! Hope you find it useful. Have a great lunch 🥙

[@gwendolynvaliente3539]

Beautiful home and property. Regarding your rain spout: You need to lower your rain chain to lessen the splash. The first little bowl is too close to the spout. I used large chain links then hang the rain chain from that. Still a little splash during heavy rain, but no splash the rest of the time.

[@cocolenchojapan]

Ahhh that makes sense, I will try that, thanks for the suggestion! This is what I love about KZbin :-)

[@Forthosewhocannot]

Amazing video anything else you recommend I am going on leave soon to look at a house hopefully it doesn’t have a lot of problems

[@cocolenchojapan]

Thanks! Good luck with your quest. I recommend finding at least a carpenter or house builder to look at it. At a minimum look for water damage in the house such as stains, lift the tatami and the boards below the mats. Most likely it will be plain dirt. Look for extreme dampness, rotten wood and termites. Slide open and close all of the shoji doors. If they are stuck it may be that the house is leaning. Look for cracks in the foundation and walls. I understand horizontal cracks are not good. These are a few items to look for. Hope that helps

[@Forthosewhocannot]

@@cocolenchojapan thank you very much appreciate it can’t wait for the next video

[@inggermanydeutschland3808]

The rain chains are lovely. Trying to reuse the water? Maybe to the pond ? You have mentioned before?

[@cocolenchojapan]

Thanks! Not at this point. Really don’t want to mess with the pond

[@inggermanydeutschland3808]

@@cocolenchojapan Too humid? Is that what you want to say?

[@cocolenchojapan]

@@inggermanydeutschland3808 hi so sorry for the short answer. I was heading back from a trip to Shikoku. I would really love to reestablish the pond, but I just don’t have the time to keep it clean. Instead I am going to add a solar water fountain with a little waterfall and bamboo shi-shi odoshi. At least that’s the goal :-)

[@lauravirgin8796]

Did not realize the importance of gutters until now.

[@cocolenchojapan]

Yes very important and easily overlooked!

[@grantclift3007]

I think the rain chin is upsidedown.

[@cocolenchojapan]

I don’t know. I thought so too, but if I turn it around it does not hold together

[@allplacesandthings]

They told me "no visa - no bank account- no house" 😢

[@cocolenchojapan]

Not entirely correct. There are many foreigners purchasing real estate from abroad. We have a bank account through my wife, so I am not the expert at banking. If you have cash on hand the transaction can be done. Don’t give up!

[@allplacesandthings]

@cocolenchojapan Thank you! It will be impossible to pay taxes, etc, even after the purchase. Also you need another address (friend) at the beginning for documentation. 😢

[@fc787761]

I bought my house through an intermediary coz I am overseas most of the time. You just pay a fee for someone to handle all the admin and pay the bills.

[@allplacesandthings]

@fc787761 Thank you, I am trying to find one, but I am probably not researching the right thing 😬 or I don't see it. One told me that I can't buy without bank account and another one is quite complicated and expensive 🤞

[@ivanwoodhouse1958]

SO BORING

[@cocolenchojapan]

Thanks for dropping by! We get it-our journey might not be everyone's cup of tea. Luckily, there are countless channels out there for you to explore. Happy viewing!