I bought an abandoned Akiya house in rural Japan - How Much and Why? Nanao Machiya Project

[@warrenyoung656]

Truly admire your commitment towards the preservation and revitalization of culturally significant homes. Wishing you all the success towards completion.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the kind words. Really just taking very small steps at a time...but I guess that's still progress :)

[@mariondavia8178]

I'm coming to Japan very very soon and I would love to meet with you and ask for your your help please don't just close up and disappear let us know what's going on even if it's nothing important except for what you're doing to the houses that you already have because there is a lot of people besides myself are very interested in this so don't give up keep in contact even if it's just to repeat words of what to do if nothing else send me a personal email I would love to hear from you and get in contact with you I have the time

[@fetalgiraffe7]

Looking forward to seeing how this one gets renovated. The antiques all look great too!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! Yes I'd keep most of the antiques and store them inside this house.

[@NKunihisa]

I lived in Nanao for 6 years! Im excited to have found this series!

[@timesupgr.8471]

It amazes me that these beautiful things were left behind. I would love to buy an old house in Japan and fix it up.

[@boodog4023]

One thing that Ive learned working on old houses is "less is better." The less you do the more money you save and preserve it's antiquity. Keep the roof and foundation in order and the rest is gravy.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes I agree. Unfortunately a lot of the roof has to be replaced...

[@brandonsebastian8041]

Great News! and thanks for the break down!

[@RAZGR1Z]

Looking forward to seeing the progress. Thanks for sharing!

[@hogiebb1]

There is something very satisfying about making something beautiful again. About bringing the love and light back to a place...and only a human living in a home can do that.

[@PixelBaller]

It looks like a beautiful town. Would be a dream to live there. Best of luck with this one.

[@dannybee6677]

Dear sir, could you please make a video about small houses? Tiny homes. Little bachelor pads. Your videos are very useful and informative. Thank you for your hard work.

[@dannybee6677]

If old furniture is left in a home that you purchased, are there second hand stores, or charities that you can donate them to?

[@jacobdiden8967]

this is my dream. im not jealous of you. im happy for you. or atleast thats what im telling myself God Bless you

[@amysbees6686]

Wow! Another great project! I truly admire your commitment to community redevelopment.

[@181Xplor]

Congratulations 🎉🍾 I wish you great success on your closing day !

[@mariondavia8178]

That town looked very beautiful very calm relaxing I'm glad you are out of Kyoto and you're experiencing other towns you gave me the idea of town that I have experience and relations in like you said and I'm thinking if it's possible you could find out information about houses in your yo kasuka

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Hi Marion, yes I still want to do more videos on other rural areas of Japan...but I need more time! 😂

[@alexanderroc3359]

I love this! Renovating and rescuing these lovely historic houses in Japanese towns suffering from declining population is excellent! I have a profound feeling for Japan, and would love to renovate a traditional house for myself. Is this possible for soneone from England?

[@raoultesla2292]

2nd floor dead space/void for high ceiling looking up from first floor could be Sky Light. Congrats

[@LorraineinAustralia]

Congratulations.. I look forward to seeing the progress as you renew this old house🌸

[@181Xplor]

I’m interested in buying an Akiya home as well!

[@whistlebirdproductions6249]

thank you for sharing!

[@FoxyfloofJumps]

I love that house. It's the very definition of "good bones." I hope it's coming back to life the way you envisioned. And I think it'd be a great thing for your children to have a house each someday. Better still, if they are paying for themselves by hosting small businesses, or local craft revivals.

[@karenharvey2549]

A really interesting house. It will make a lovely home. Thank you for the tour.

[@emmapeel8163]

thank you 🙏🏼

[@EvitasStory]

Congratulations! Love love love watching your videos. I've been following your channel forever. Keep us posted!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the kind words! I'll try to update from time to time.

[@jeremyroyer]

Congratulations on your second place! It's exciting to see how the process is done. I look forward to seeing the future videos of this house. I think the geography of that city/peninsula is really interesting. I'm moving to Japan in November and can't wait to find a rural get-a-way. Yoroshiku.

[@Iron_glove]

Always love those small Japan rural town houses. Thanks for the preservation but also the vlogging of the renovation for us, that can't live it :)

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! I will update on the progress...when there is progress 😂

[@MegaMastiffman]

Outstanding very happy to see you doing well

[@Shepherdservices317]

Love it, I too would love to have a house/ shop on a Machia, and also a mountain side kominka

[@everythingisnand]

Love your videos! Do you have any recommendations of where to buy tatami mats? Maybe it could be a video idea to make a video about tatami with a store that sells them?

[@AdrianArgentina-nd7rg]

I just found this channel and I love it so far. Keep it up!

[@lorisuemontgomery8562]

Its so beautiful!! What a dream house. I would love to clean all the wood and antiques up❤

[@rachel_vill]

Yes it is wonderful to hear the townsfolk so happy and loud during matsuri because otherwise Japanese are always so quiet and often than not deafening silence when you walk around small towns

[@joewan2846]

Nice find with many hidden treasure left behind... Looking forward to your renovation and total cost to be liveable.

[@Shaz221]

Congratulations! I love all the treasures you got alongside the house, it all looks amazing!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes really lovely items left inside this house.

[@danlin8310]

Congratulations Steven! Hope to catch up with you soon!

[@dankedozo]

That downtown shot of Nanao is soooo cool! I would love to live in a place like that! Looks so peaceful! Reminds me of various small towns in Tohoku :) I'd love to have a house like this that I could possible use as a commercial space too! Would be really fun to open a coffee shop or similar type of 3rd space in a small town like that! A few hours away seems so preferable to me relative to my 13+ hr flight to come visit.

[@WhoaNellyJake]

I couldn’t find Otokonushi Shrine at first, but realized you have an extra O in the name haha. Nanao looks really nice!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Glad you found it! It's a small but beautiful shrine.

[@fatwombat2611]

I would love to live in rural Japan. The countryside is stunningly beautiful and the people and culture is great. I can financially do it but dont know if its possible.

[@alexanderroc3359]

Of course it's possible....the Japanese would welcome you.

[@Hayatory]

Cool stuff can’t wait to see how it goes

[@islandblacksmith]

the long narrow tansu is probably for sword parts and care, and a display stand would sit atop it...lovely place and some nice antiques! ..yes, after the police retrieve a sword you can have it licensed and then pick it up...

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! Yes I would have at least like to see what the sword looked like...

[@IABKI]

Thank you very much for amazing video and story! Love and Regards from Poland!

[@MelvinLim]

Massive, massive project. it looks like a lot has to be torn down and replaced. Wishing you all the best and we look forward to your progress. Such beautiful ceramic ware too! It's a shame that such artisanal works are dying along with the dwindling population.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! Yes it is a big project... It's a shame a lot of the crafts & culture will slowly disappear with the decreasing population.

[@JS-jh4cy]

How did you discover all the history of the house, year built and figure out how many renovations there has been?

[@deangallo5158]

I will continue to watch and follow your progress, keep rocking. Sayonara

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@eileencollins8799]

Good luck to you in this house.

[@nikki_tay]

Very beautiful 😍 good information ☺️

[@robmarsh2217]

Yes it looks very good.

[@shirokumakogyo]

Nice choice of property. I bought a machiya along the Uchikawa in Shinminato, Imizu City in Toyama Prefecture, and turned half of it into my home, the other half into a bar. My motivations were similar to you--to demonstrate that these old houses CAN have a second life (mine is about 80 years old), that something can be done besides tearing them down and putting in a parking lot, and that re-using these properties effectively can contribute to the increased vitality of a depopulating neighborhood. And, of course, I just wanted to get out of Tokyo, where I'd lived for almost 20 years. Feel free to drop by @bridgebar next time you're in the area!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Hi Stephen, thank you for the message! I have actually read about your bar somewhere (I think it was an online article?), and had been wanted to visit if I am around the area... I know that there are still many machiya/old houses in the port town that can be better used but I am sure that will take time (& commitment from people from the neighborhood + from the outside as well). Anyway, if I do visit sometime, please allow me to have a video tour of your bar if that's okay. It would be quite an inspiration for many others.

[@RJ_Eckie]

My god, it’s beautiful! Thanks for showing

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you!

[@lovlisos]

Congratulations Steven - very happy for you & your family

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! All these things keeping me busy.

[@kpakaify]

Wish you luck with renovation!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@LondonBroilSandwiches]

So cool!

[@mjmikaelson]

Nice house ✨😉👍 Congratulations on your 2nd ✨😉👍

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! Still a long way to go to get this place fixed :)

[@deborahhebblethwaite1865]

It is beautiful. Thankyou🇨🇦🙏

[@turtleinjapan]

I believe you will do a beautiful renovation. I look forward to seeing the progress. Best of luck.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@axios101]

Nanao...🤔 Same city as in "Kimi wa hōkago insomunia"??? Fascinanting!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

That is right! How can I forget to mention it in the video...it is the same city!

[@axios101]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan In my humble opinion it is a "plus" value for Your purchase! Again your videos are very interesting!!!!!

[@rawhide154]

That’s cool. Your kids will be locals there.

[@eleanorgaray8702]

Please can you share how bad is the weather or what is the weather in 3 hours far from Kyoto??

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

This is a very interesting house. However, it will take years of very hard work and much cost to renovate it. I bought an Akiya 7 years ago and am just finishing as much renovation as I’m going to do for now. It was so much work. I will never do it again.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for sharing the valuable experience. Where did you buy your house? Very interested to see what you have done to the place throughout the years of renovation.

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan My house is in southern Shikoku, Kochi, Japan. I feel I have the best of both worlds - my house is only a 10-15minute bicycle ride along the Kagami River to the city center, although it is on a mountainside right next to a small forest and small shrine. My property is about 3-4x the size of the average residential lot in my area, so really feels like I’m living in the peaceful countryside. I’ve planted about 20 fruit trees including many citrus. All I hear often times is the wind blowing and birds singing. I have a lovely mountain view looking out over the rooftops below. I’m planning on selling and leaving Japan in the not-too-distant future. It will break my heart to leave the home I have created here.

[@richardm.4979]

How are you and the house doing after the earthquake?

[@prospectivs2504]

Thanks!

[@Limastudent]

Very interesting video. You could go slow and take a couple years on this big project. Good to have relatives nearby.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes of course. I don't think this is something that will be completed within a year or so... Thank you!

[@Barrysushi569]

What is the purpose of the void at centre of house.

[@waileasunsets]

Congratulations on your new project. Sorry to hear about the sword. It might be worth asking if you could get it back to keep the house and sword history intact.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! Would love to see what the sword looked like, but that was not my sword anyway.

[@ichirosekihara8985]

I am in Canada now. My friends here wants to buy a house in Osaka closer to the KIX. If you have any ideas, please let me know. By Papajin.

[@aggedor2]

How is your house? I remembered you ended up buying in Nanao which is close to the epicentre of the earthquake on Monday. Were you affected? Hope you and your family are all safe

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the message. It was terrifying but we are all okay! Nanao city is slightly further away from the epicenter.

[@aggedor2]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan What was the outcome, do you need to demolish? I remember seeing one of your videos on checking different maps for hazards, did it show up as being a higher than normal earthquake hazard area?

[@billnelson4043]

こんにちはスティーブンさん。能登半島に起きた災害の報告を聞いて、心からお見舞い申し上げます。ご家族が無事であることを聞いて安心しました。約1年前に私たちはCOVID後初めての日本旅行で、能登半島を広く訪れました。その素晴らしい地域の人々に心からの思いと祈りを捧げています。七尾の町家も無事であることを願っています。 ホノルルのビルと恵子より

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

心温まるメッセージありがとうございます。建物の被害は多少ありましたが、家族と親族みな無事です。地震が落ち着いたあとでも、これから奥能登の復興がきっと大変です・・・ぜひ、また訪れてください。

[@weirdandwow]

Hi - I have loved following you in your past house in Kyoto. I just found this video and wondered if you, your family and house is ok with the earthquake on Noto Peninsula???

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! I am okay but not so much for the house 🥲

[@weirdandwow]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan oh, hope your wife’s family got through ok. So sorry to hear your house got damaged, all the best for future ventures.

[@frankblake2]

You have inspired me! How can I do the same? I’d be happy to buy a machiya and pay for its renovation. Let’s talk.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! Are you looking for a place to buy? You can reach me at [e-mail] if you want to discuss further.

[@Stuck-Chuck]

Hope things are ok after the 1/1 earthquake!

[@KoguryoKid]

I first saw this video a few weeks ago and thought of you as I recalled the place names when news came of the January 1 2024 earthquake. Please accept sincere wishes for the welfare of you and your family. Could you tell your viewers anything about the state of the property you have shown here?

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you for the kind message. My family and I are okay, but some relatives in the area need to live without water supply for longer... Yes I do plan to have a video regarding the earthquake & implications on traditional houses in the countryside.

[@sonicase]

cool

[@pipingsetiadi1210]

Can we remodel the house to a standard earthquake resistant model?...

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes but it will be very costly. Likely more expensive than building a new house from scratch...

[@martenlundin]

Wow this is exciting. What do you plan to renovate and what do you calculate it will cost (if you're not doing anything yourself)? Hardest part for a foreigner to estimate would be if the core construction is good or not I guess.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! Talked to a few contractors in the area and now proceeding with one that I liked most (in all aspects - including their enthusiasm in the project). You will be surprised how many contractors don't have the experience/willingness to fix old traditional houses anymore...

[@Yazuroshi]

What is the range of cost to renovate such a house so that it's quite livable ?

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

For something this size (100sqm+ floor area) I would say between 10mil yen ~ 30mil yen... all depends on how much you want done.

[@Sleepless927]

I love your videos ❤

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you!

[@oficialborala]

Nice video! I am wondering if you could help me with the process of buying one of these houses. I am currently living in Singapore.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Not sure how I can help but you can reach me at [e-mail]

[@eyema88]

You were not in Nanao on New Years day😢? I hope that everything is OK with you and the family.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

I was there (Nanao city) with my family....It was terrifying but we are all okay! Thank you for the message.

[@eyema88]

💗

[@sakabatanuki9744]

jibun de naosu no?

[@midrennelubin975]

What is Tatami

[@onlinegames4019]

Nice one! demo "the photo tells everything"??? a wild flaming inferno that would make mad max proud??? I think ill just assume a foreigner tried to read kanji and accidentally summoned a fire demon.

[@Siufong1223]

Did u estimate how much it costs to renovate this old house?

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Entire roof needs to be replaced - so I'm thinking 10-20mil yen. I'm mainly going to do the 2nd floor and not so much the 1st floor.

[@EE-uj6tw]

What is that sound every few seconds? Had to turn off.

[@midrennelubin975]

How much is 1.111 million yen

[@DidiGaga-hm4du]

The Katana was probably more worth than the house. I see triple wins for everyone

[@midrennelubin975]

Do Japanese Government give you money to fix the home

[@DrNoBrazil]

Please use some tissue... For your nose, of course.

[@rodrigo9785]

Promo sm

[@DavidSmith-tn9qq]

U win just having a jp wife.

[@shiro-gd6tn]

Why don't you clean up your sinus then talk?

[@midrennelubin975]

You have allergies