Inside a FREE TINY HOUSE in Japan

Today were taking a peek at a FREE Tiny House. Japan is filled with abandoned properties and many of them are Free (Yes we will cover how you can get an abandoned home in Japan!) With millions of abandoned Japanese homes (or Akiya) up for grabs, I thought it would be time to take a peek inside of one!
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*Where to Send Stuff* - As of 10.2021
Norm Nakamura - Tokyo Creative Redhorse Corporation Co. Ltd
1-10-5 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
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[@TokyoLens]

The big question being... *Would YOU Live Here??* - Join the discussion below!! Let me know what you think ||||||||||||| CHECK THIS OUT BELOW!!! ||||||||||||| ----- **OFFICIALLY FOUND JAPAN'S WORST TINY APARTMENT:** kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGXSgnekfdGliJI ----- *For anyone new: HUGE LOVE to the Comment Squad!! - I spend the first while of every new vid chatting in the comments, so always leave me something below!* Definitely was a bit tricky to get to... But had enough signal that Wifi woulnd't be an issue! For those who love tours, here's a whole playlist! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r16UdaqenZyXe8U

[@zelchews]

old cabin on a forest, no thanks 😱

[@wingsofthunder170]

@@zelchews Complete opposite answer for me lmao.

[@sandmansleeps657]

If the internet connection is good enough, and I had a fully online business (to eliminate the hindrance of location beyond needing a stable internet connection), then absolutely.

[@skywobleross5203]

I wouldn't, not with my anxiety

[@meph3676]

would not live in there but trying to convince the wife to find an old style house.

[@alecangelo7443]

Another tiny house video... As an introvert who wants to get away from all the drama that comes with dealing with people, this is my kinda place...

[@TokyoLens]

haha theyre perfect~

[@statusdisarray9598]

💯 agree i would never leave

[@retrohipster1060]

Yeah, that's essentially my dream place. LOL if I can get a job where I could work remotely in Japan and live in one of these places then I think my life would feel complete. Haha

[@xReaghan]

I mean it looks cool, but in the end it is very unhealthy to not socialize with people, humans are social animals introvert or extrovert..

[@nBasedAce]

No insulation, winters as cold as New England. Sounds great.

[@abdulm2609]

Surprisingly roomy little cabin. From first glance I thought it was a tiny shed but it's really nice and cozy insides. Hopefully someone is able to acquire it and keep it going.

[@doublesalopetoimcre]

depends how far it is from civilization. you still need to get food and go out sometimes, even if you work from home.

[@abdulm2609]

@@doublesalopetoimcre as a primary home it would definitely have a very niche target audience. As a second home or something to rent out it would be a better fit.

[@Elmithian]

@@doublesalopetoimcre If there is no decent internet connection, this would be out for work-from-home approach as well. In many cases at least.

[@nubreed13]

@@Elmithian well there are ways to get reliable internet even that far in the woods. If that was viable and I was able to put actual heating and air conditioning into the house I could see having a cabin full time.

[@MangaGamify]

Sadako would keep people company there

[@damocles8417]

I suffer severe depression and I’ve had this recurring thought that I need to live in Antarctica for a year. I’ve convinced myself I want to write about the experience, but deep down, I realize it’s a part of me that wants to hide in darkness. I’m terrified I might actually succeed in detaching myself. I see the same thing in many Japanese people in these videos. I instantly feel their loneliness, as unexplainable as it is, with so many people living so close together. There is a charm to these enclosed living spaces, but also a feeling that these are tombs.

[@JustAnotherFox]

I build custom homes for a living, so fixing one of these things up for myself would be easy and fun. I've wondered about these houses and how to get into them. I didn't even know where to start, but you've pointed me in the right direction! Thank you!

[@TokyoLens]

No worries 😊 Thanks for watching~

[@fatonyalmitchell3281]

How you clueless but build housing

[@SlurmDude]

Its 7 months later, hows the house XD. Also, how does "im so amazing japan gave me a free home as long as i agreed to live in japan for a year" work with the ladies at the american bars?

[@icepriestess]

I don't think I could ever live somewhere like this permanently, but staying for a few months and just working on the house, enjoying the outdoors and maybe doing some writing and craft just quietly alone in that space sounds pretty amazing

[@kayla7562]

I’m crochet and punch needling there sounds amazing. So relaxing.

[@NiSE_Rafter]

Right? It's a bit much for full time living but it'd be a wonderful little place to escape to.

[@tammi6771]

8 million abandoned homes? That does seem excessive. I'm glad you explained the reason for so many akiyas and that there is a lot more involved with buying one. Thank you for showing us around the cabin. Enjoyed it as always

[@MaShcode]

They say the percentage of abandoned houses in Japan that are actually available is around 10-20%.

[@amythistxue1]

one thing to remember is that Japan is experiencing negative population growth, so as people grow older and pass away they may not have any family to pass the property on to, then combine that with how modern/urban Japan is, meaning a lot of the work that people are doing needs them to be closer to cities leading to many of Japans rural communities turning into ghost towns, it's kind of a sad state, seeing all these beautiful old properties abandoned and slowly rotting away just because there is no one to take care of them

[@allisonisis]

@@amythistxue1 as someone who can barely afford my tiny apt, I long for an opportunity like this.

[@nate_d376]

@@amythistxue1 correct. And it is sad.

[@amythistxue1]

@@denisehill1215 that's part of the problem, Japan's population is shrinking, then combine that with many of these houses being like this one, out in the small villages/towns while most of the work is in the cities and other urban areas and there's just not much reason for people to want them

[@redline1916]

Man.. I always wish I had my own property here in the US. Just finding a house like that for 40k would be a dream in itself.

[@nathaliebazinga]

Given that you have Tesla as your profile pic, you can get houses for even cheaper in Serbia

[@redline1916]

@@nathaliebazinga that is true

[@katty3116]

Look in ohio.. parts of Ohio are cheap as hell

[@nakkiperuna5723]

@@katty3116 but the downside is Ohio

[@cunjoz]

@@katty3116 inb4 average house in Ohio meme

[@Aramakie98]

I did insurance repair work for almost a decade (fire, water, storm damage kind of stuff). You never open the fridges, lol. Just unplug them and leave either leave the doors propped open or wheel them away... All-in-all this property looks really nice for an Akiya. Thank you for showing this to us.

[@PepperMyr]

I find it very surprising that, adding up all the expenses, buying an akiya isn't much cheaper than buying a new house. I'd love to see akiya become more affordable and easier to acquire, since it would help reinvigorate rural communities and provide another incentive for foreigners to move to Japan.

[@ladyflimflam]

Japan isn’t exactly looking to incentivize foreigners to move there. That’s part of their depopulation problem.

[@OllamhDrab]

Well, I'm not sure the takeaway is 'Just as expensive,' ...assuming the structure of that place is good, for instance, most of what it conspicuously needs or wants is stuff I have the skills to do pretty easily, so I'd mostly just be in it for materials. Which can be a thing but you get that regardless of what you're putting it in and that's ...pretty small when it comes to quantities. Most of the key issues seem to be is it's a log cabin not really set up for year-round living , so I'd want to be doing certain insulation and moisture control under that easily-accessible floor and the ground underneath, probably add a better-insulated roof and sheathing to preserve the interior woodwork depending how that's put together. And that deck should probably be better-sheltered: I'd probably change the roof to something more opaque and extend it a little further, then do a little landscaping out where the hill's subsided a little too high for the wood and make a nice little rain garden with included better drainage. (Actually probably pretty important for the longevity of the place but it'd probably be pretty fun and simple to do. )

[@thisdude9363]

@@ladyflimflam Good approach, in my opinion. They don't need to incentivize Westerners and have them all flocking to Japan eager to screw with its culture and fix anything they deem "problematic." Their declining birth and marriage rates would fix themselves if the Government there would get off its fat, old asses and do something about the toxic work culture that is literally killing their country one salary man at a time.

[@LordJagd]

@@ladyflimflam Much rather have a depopulation problem than an overpopulation one

[@haner2940]

@@ladyflimflam Japan is completely right with that. Trying to tackle low fertility rates with importing masses of migrants who will change society, culture and tradition forever and make the country lose its identity is never the right way to go. Japan has btw still more than 125 million inhabitants, with almost 335 inhabitants per km². For comparison: France has 123 inhabitants per km², Germany 236 per km², China 138 per km² or the USA has 33 inhabitants per km². So you see, Japan is incredibly crowded. And even with their population going down in the decades to come, they are expected to still have 103 Million inhabitants by 2050, which would be 238 inhabitants per km². Even with losing 20 million people, they would have a higher population density than a lot of other first world countries. The economy and daily life will have to adjust to having fewer people available, but in fact, there is no "depopulation problem". A few million people less in Japan will give the country itself more air to breath. And eventually, the fertility rate will rise again on its own, because that`s how things work. The is absolutely no reason for mass immigration.

[@seandobson2682]

Loved the idea of buying an abandoned home in Japan but now it seems it might be a little harder than I thought. Great video and great insight!

[@TokyoLens]

Anything in Japan will be harder and more paperwork than you can possibly imagine lol but its usually worth it~

[@seandobson2682]

@@Cha4k well there is some truth to that, it is just a possibility. Also I don't disagree that the process being difficult doesn't have positives, I was just unfamiliar with some aspects of the process.

[@0bjectr]

As someone who has grown up in rural areas I would absolutely love living is a house like that. Being out in the woods is something special. As a school teacher the school turned coffee shop is a place I plan to visit on my next trip to Japan. I would love to have a place like that.

[@aaftiyoDkcdicurak]

If you're an American teacher I feel for you.

[@kerrijames949]

I lived in Japan for 3 months and saw a whole abandoned village in Niihama, it was magnificent! I wish i could go back and live there again.

[@hatsufei]

Are the houses in that village for sale?

[@dblock5one4]

This is quite huge for a "tiny home". That loft area really is most likely intended to be the bedroom but looks perfect for it! I could see this being really well decorated and making an absolutely beautiful home!

[@SarcasmicGlory]

It's bigger than my normal sized home 😆

[@dreamingflurry2729]

@@SarcasmicGlory It has about the same amount of space as my apartment, but while my place has small rooms, this one has a large open space, which I like (ok: I would want to kitche-stuff separate, so that cooking doesn't "stink up the place", because if you use for example garlic, the smell tends to stick around!

[@HooLeePhucingSheet]

No air, no heat. You're cold? Go for a jog, your hot? Open the windows and pray for wind.

[@DoubleMonoLR]

@@HooLeePhucingSheet Adding heating & cooing is pretty trivial. Being in the mountains I'd imagine it may not get particularly hot anyway. In many places here in NZ, traditionally people haven't used/needed ac in summer, though it's become more common as heat pumps have become very common - they'd still get used far more for heating though.

[@Tokyo-Slim]

Being 98% through the purchase process of buying a home in Japan, I obviously looked into Akiya and did a bunch of research on what it would take/how much it would cost to go that route. Being as it's meant to be a "vacation" home for me for a few years and then a place that I'd spend several months of the year at during my retirement, I was looking at some more urban ones or ones with better access to infrastructure. There are Akiya that have been repossessed (financially abandoned but maybe still inhabited!) or abandoned for various other reasons even in/closer to urban cores - but I quickly found out that it would require many other hoops and processes, like possible eviction of squatters or previous owners, disposal of thousands of pounds of collected trash, retrofitting or renovating the whole structure for code compliance, the cost of tearing down and the depreciation price on new construction, some property is illegal to rebuild upon due to zoning, the fact that as a foreign national not currently living in Japan - you cannot get a bank loan or mortgage, etc. I decided that the relatively straightforward process of just buying regular real estate was more appealing. haha I'll be in Japan in 3 weeks to do my first in-person viewing of my new house before I wire transfer the final payment!

[@Tokyo-Slim]

I just saw your comment below "Anything in Japan will be harder and more paperwork than you can possibly imagine" and I can confirm. The Japanese bureaucracy LOVES actual, physical piles of paperwork. :)

[@allisonisis]

@@Tokyo-Slim 😆

[@Crim_Zen]

Seems a lot of homes like this started showing up after the dams were built. I recall you talked about it in a previous vid that focused around abandoned villages in the mountains. People had to move to stay connected to supply lines, so they dropped everything and abandoned what little they had in their mountain homes. The school house story is still a pretty cool one.

[@yikes7963]

As a resident of Oklahoma, I once lived in what was called the littlest house. It literally was the size of a two car garage. The shower was a square stall room for only one and when you were on the toilet, your feet were basically in that stall. 🤣 and I hated it.

[@Luboun]

Got home after two weeks in Japan last night, already missing it and wishing I could move there permanently. Hopefully these videos can continue to fill the Japan sized hole until I can go back again 😊

[@TokyoLens]

hope you can get back soon!

[@Sakutora]

Hey same, except it was yesterday morning. I was there for 3 weeks. I love rural areas, but most of all what impressed me was the metro system in Tokyo. If I had an opportunity to move there I'd take it in a heartbeat.

[@morlock2086]

I feel you. Japan for two and a half weeks. I was waiting for the train to take me to the plane at Haneda and eventually home. I just didn't want to go. I had to transfer at LAX and I just wanted to scream.

[@GamingKatten]

I was in Japan in November and December last year. I miss it really much! I am thinking of moving there to study for while

[@saboruchan]

Good luck all of you, but don't complain later😅

[@mikevsamy]

Nice! I think the weird house tours are my favourite Tokyo Lens videos.

[@TokyoLens]

haha I enjoy them~

[@knowledge4741]

Exploring Japan and documenting all of the abandoned places is actually so overwhelming at times, but so beautiful as someone that has been doing this since I was 15. I don't even focus on the houses too much because there are just way too much of them. I focus on bigger properties such as Hotels and old Onsens, which I have found hundreds of abandoned hotels across Japan, some so massive you couldn't understand why they were abandoned.

[@YYZatcboy]

One minute in and this is already the nicest abandoned home I've seen on youtube!

[@sarahramos2919]

The dreamer in me sees all the possibilities. The realist sees my current educational and employment trajectory, as wonderful as it is, as a hindrance. I am so grateful for videos like this that keep the creative, dreamer side well fed. (It also reminds me of tramping through the woods of Western Washington as a child.) 😊 Take care!

[@lanstar94]

It would be amazing to renovate and reinvigorate houses like these. They feel like they have so many more stories to tell.

[@winterprism9227]

Yeah, seems like Japan would be an amazing place for those who flip houses.

[@Kitty-ig4yh]

Ugh we need this program in USA! My dream has always been to live in nature with my furbabies. I'd spend my days foraging, gardening, writing books and creating art!

[@xxlCortez]

It needs revision, given all the money you'll spend on taxes and renovation.

[@mostlypeacefulguntraining]

lol no. the property has been seized by those with means and youll struggle to rent for life and be happy about it, slave

[@SlurmDude]

Spoken like someone who has no idea how much it takes to go innawoods. Foraging? this aint age of empires. gardening maybe, but not as a hobby, serious work. writing books and art? Maybe if youre in range of a super market...... No, youll be spending literally all day every day hunting, splitting wood, and repairing broken things. Without lights or heat.....

[@dedstar2132]

You could move to Jarbidge, Nevada. Peaceful place and could use some people

[@BraveFencer]

I highly doubt something like this would fly in uncle Sam’s dystopia

[@MissMunkii]

That bathroom mirror placement used to be quite common in NZ. My grandparents had their mirror to the side because the window was above the sink. The bathroom layout didn’t (and couldn’t) lend itself to a mirror above the sink. Seeing it in this house invoked a weird feeling of nostalgia for me.

[@Hacckyy]

This little cabin seems lovely to live in. Except that it would be quite creepy to live by yourself at night 😂. Anyways, Keep up the good work Norm!

[@Yogachara]

Personally, I'd love to meet a Japanese ghost 👘

[@dalexfilms]

You get used to it very quickly. It's really not a problem unless you're a gregarious extrovert. You could always invite friends to stay with you...

[@solitarelee6200]

Ooooh that's a good point, all those big windows into your house, alone in the woods, in the middle of the night....? Creeper magnet! Probably not a place for a woman to live alone I guess.

[@LHyoutube]

@@Yogachara - Presumably that's what the disconnected attic phone is for, it speaks to you via it! 😂

[@SlurmDude]

Japanese monsters cant climb stairs. Well, not even japanese people can climb those stairs, but hey, take a win where you get one. Monster proof bedroom. Please remember to clean up the monsters that die falling the stairs in the morning, they rot quicker than you think

[@With_Me_JAPAN]

Love how you put Japanese social issues(lords of abandoned akiya), feelings of some nostalgia and your excitement of exploration into one video! Brought me back to my favorite memories of my relative’s old house which doesn’t exist anymore😊☺️✨

[@slurpingpickles]

As an introvert, cabin like this would be my dream if it was close to a small village/town. Imagine furnishing and decorating it like you want, it would be so cozy.

[@mrKozmoz]

I really dig the layout of that cabin, a lot of open spaces and doesn't feel too claustrophobic outside of the entrance hallway and bathroom/upstairs access hallway, and what a view too

[@ehlersdanlosandi]

The cabin appears to have so much potential as a little mountain getaway! I really enjoy these house tour videos, thank you!

[@MicheleJean]

I love your home tours across the county. Thank you for showing us this home, and giving a different perspective of what happens to older homes in Japan.

[@Hi_I_am_Ed]

Having a tiny cabin somewhere is my dream. Maybe not 100% of the time but to get away on holidays or weekends it'd be amazing.

[@TJ-Games]

This place is amazing! I would totally live somewhere like this, although I know log cabin style houses are a lot of upkeep. That may have been apart of the reason the previous owners decided to let it go. So cool to learn stuff like akiya are even a thing!

[@luac5829]

tiny cabins in the woods always have a soothing charm to them. And it is very interesting to learn about the process to buy a house in Japan, hope I can use this information in the future

[@Freeo4th]

Your content is always similar but different and that is just amazing. Most KZbinrs in Japan do either the same as all others or show the wacky side of Japan. I love that you also cover the obscure but fascinating side

[@TeeBoyd88]

You have quickly become one of my Top 5 house tour guides on YT. I can't believe you came down the steep stairs holding your camera. Keep up the great work :)

[@lazytommy0]

I love the floor plan and layout of this place. Super cool log cabin feel too. My only issue is those dreaded death stairs and the way the home is raised and supported.

[@justahippiekid]

I’m a pretty new viewer and I’m already loving waking up to new Tokyo Lens videos! It’s nice to be transported to a place like this tranquil cabin first thing in the morning. 🏡 Thanks for sharing all of your adventures and the insights you discover!

[@SamuelYoung]

Can I just say, your production value has gone up so much over the last year! Not sure what you've been working on, but I've been watching your videos with my 2 year old son who can sit through a whole episode, and that's saying something! Thanks Norm!

[@TAILLGUNNERR]

Easily one of my favorite youtubers. I work graveyard shift And there is plenty of downtime So I get to enjoy your camping videos Including All the other adventures throughout the city as well as these housing tours, definitely a 10/10 for content, stay amazing and keep up the great work 🙌

[@AustinVandorn]

Norm, thank you for bringing us content like this. That home, although in need of some tlc, is gorgeous. I wish there was more things like that here in the States (or there might be, but it's not like it is normal public knowledge). I'm somewhere in between being a introvert/extrovert, but, honestly, I would love to be in a place like this just to have an escape from everything. The location and setting is so calming, serene. It can be dubbed the "Cabin of Clarity." Great stuff. Keep up the good work!

[@davidgensemer502]

Man that is like my dream house, I would love to be able to take over a place like that. It would be so fun to work on and improve it over time, and the location is amazing! Please keep showing off awesome places like this, it's amazing!!

[@dbl0fluff]

Loved this akiya tour. The possibilities are mind blowing and the postman passing by was precious. Going to get my passport paperwork ready and focusing on the fall for travel to Japan. Thrilled for the scavenger hunt, what an exciting way to see more of Japan. I live in Oxford, Alabama. Thanks Norm for the amazing adventures. Onward and upward.😊❤

[@TokyoLens]

Thanks so much for the kind comment eh! Love Alabama!

[@homeostasis360]

Plz make more of these tiny house videos. I really enjoy watching them

[@waffles3782]

Stayed up for this one! I've been thinking about getting a place like this for years. Hard to reconcile with young kids though. Biggest issue all around is just the pain of Japanese bureaucracy. Visas, taxes, just everything feels like a nightmare to get anything done while outside the country.

[@wardenprinny5367]

Such a cool location for a house. Would be neat to see a variety of other abandoned houses in a variety of areas that fall into the free or very cheap category.

[@cabellism]

Lived in Kentucky my whole life, this place looks better then 60% of most homes ive seen from the road here locally in Somerset, Kentucky. Not to mention the beautiful view you would have.

[@fer_kenji]

One of the things I like in Japan is this nature side, in contrast to the cities. I can imagine myself and my family living in an akiya.

[@catwatson2795]

What a cute little cabin, I love the layout and random placement of items like the phone? I would definitely live in something like this or build a tiny house on this design. Thanks again for a great video :)

[@clintonfernandes1139]

It's always something new and unknown with you every time. Love that about this channel

[@dragonsmayhem421]

It's perfect for one or two people. I kind of love it. It's the home my youngest son has described wanting to live in.

[@simonb6478]

What an amazing house!!!

[@aotr_vlog]

Akiya are fascinating, I'd love to see more videos exploring them! I'm also a little surprised these aren't scooped up and renovated by the vacation rental/air BnB market

[@JasperForge]

I'm sure there people doing that

[@falloutboy9993]

I just bought a home in the US and it wasn’t even a fraction as difficult as what you explained. It seems that depreciating housing worth and over taxing are doing a lot of harm to the housing industry in Japan.

[@mehoyminoy1326]

Probably on purpose to encourage city living to conserve the land. It is an island after all.

[@falloutboy9993]

@@mehoyminoy1326 Doubtful. They don’t even demolish or clean up the areas in most cases. Most are left to rot and decay, which makes the land mostly unusable until clean up occurs. Abandoned buildings are everywhere in Japan.

[@mehoyminoy1326]

@@falloutboy9993 interesting. That sucks for the citizens.

[@Crimsontalor]

we have an opposite problem with a similar result lots of abandoned properties but because the ever increasing need to have property appreciate in value no one can afford to have a home. and that is a major problem. Investors and the ever indulgent need of the economy to always go up without regard to people is disastrous.

[@martymcpeak4748]

I could completely live in a house like that and love it, especially with that view of the forest. Subscribed my only regret is not finding your channel sooner. Cheers

[@aphelion4616]

I would TOTALLY live there!!! I would just fix it up for me and my hubby!! I love the fact it's fairly isolated, but can still have things like internet and what not since it's not totally out in the boonies lol. Great little place and thanks for showing it to us!!

[@MailMe2Japan]

To be able to be retired and just live tucked away in a place that is beautiful.😻😻😻

[@jonathanmora8208]

Beautiful and healthy

[@acloseuppictureofacat]

This couldn't have been posted at a more synchronistic time for me. I've only recently learned about the existence of akiya and have found myself incredibly drawn to it. I appreciate the information you've provided. It's giving me even more to think about than I have already been mulling over. Thank you!

[@michaelrcolton]

Same!

[@art_of_Miko101]

I always wanted a small house to avoid drama and stuff that pressure me constantly. But this video is very informative on what you said on this.

[@julienarrijs]

Thanks Norm! Always super entertaining stuff and real high quality content with tons of cool. Facts on Japan🇯🇵😊

[@robertsensei4082]

My friend has stairs just like that and I have to say that going down them in socks is one of the scariest things I've done to date

[@IKyrax]

Love catching your videos so early into the day! Thanks for sharing this lovely little cabin in the woods! ❤ P.S. that was almost a nasty fall!!! 😅

[@TokyoLens]

lol WAS a nasty fall actually lol still recovering haha

[@IKyrax]

@@TokyoLens Oof! Sorry to hear that- Hopefully you’re not in pain for too long 🤕 Stay safe, friend!

[@MarieMaker]

I love this little “log cobin.” 🤭 I always love the music you choose, too.

[@rolandgdean]

It's staggering to me that this is a thing there. I'd heard about these properties from your visit to the mountain school with your friend that lives there and also more information and videos before that but I HAD NO IDEA there were over 8 MILLION currently available and GROWING! WOW!

[@kevinholt2648]

Great insight into the little gotchas with the Akiya. The house was unexpectedly pleasant would make a great little getaway. Seeing the Japanese Postman driving by on his motorcycle just let you know you hadn't stepped off the world completely. Thanks for the video

[@leonardoiula3942]

The cabin in the woods is half a personal dream and half a horror movie in my imagination. Great video! Do you have any videos of the surrounding forest or mountains? It looks really nice. I wonder if you take photos and post them somewhere. Keep up the great work! Saludos desde Argentina!

[@weatherwitchandfelinefamiliars]

I'm new to the concept of Akiya and stunned at the mountain of issues that sadly go with them. What also was a shock was learning that Japanese houses mostly go down in value, as I'm in the UK, earthquakes aren't something we have to consider and their damage over time to property. I have only knowingly felt one earthquake in my life which was startling even though it was so mild. This akiya shown was gorgeous and wouldn't take much to get it perfect 😊

[@JBaughb]

I dont think earthquakes can really be a primary explanation. I’m in California and we have earthquakes all the damn time and 80 year old houses over here still go for $800,000+

[@eh1319]

As a finn I got excited. Very nice base. I would fix that floor base first. I don't know about building laws in Japan but fire place with stone or brick wall would be nice as it stores the heat and keeps place warm. You would need your own patch of forest or buy firewood from somewhere.

[@ShadowPuppet3001]

great video, the video was awesome, the bloopers at the end were funny, the log cabin in the video looked amazing 👏, the best part of the video that I liked was the refrigerator, I liked the hide away that was on the second floor 😀, looking forward to more great videos and hope that they will have bloopers in them

[@meghancallaghan3699]

So cool!! I love tiny homes and the idea of this kind of house, but realistically I know I wouldn't like to be that far from a city. It reminds me of the €1 houses in Italy though, definitely comes with a lot of caveats!

[@Kimnyan]

Always love seeing the houses you check out!!

[@jazzew]

You show so many interesting places! This is a cute cabin, even though the maintenance and updating would probably be insane pricing. I love the log walls. :D

[@tanpopo03]

I love the setup and the whole feel of the place. But I know how cold even modern apartments get in the winter in Japan. Even with a stove in there I'd probably freeze! I'm not hardened enough to even consider it, ha.

[@laurabustos6560]

Always a pleasant start to the day when Tokyo Lens uploads fresh content!!🙏🖤✌️

[@TokyoLens]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks so much~

[@lostinjapanglish5202]

Simple life, nature, freedom, life on your terms, amazingly beautiful 😊

[@frauleintrude6347]

This little cabin looks really good. A nice holiday or weekend home. New fridge, some scandi-furnitures and you are good to go.

[@BathoryBat]

Honestly, I think that if I were looking to build a house, I probably would take on something like an Akiya. There are a lot of properties that aren't necessarily abandoned that still need the houses torn down due to insurmountable code issues and whatnot. And if you buy a property that doesn't have a house on it, you might still have a large volume of trees or large rocks to move or alter. I think for me, it might be more of a zoning issue. Like for example, I'd really like to have pet ducks and sheep, and where I live currently, there's a minimum property size to have pet farm animals other than chickens. And if I had sheep, maybe I'd like to process the wool into yarn to dye or to weave with and sell that, so it would really just be a matter of finding a place where all those things are allowed.

[@LloydSeven]

I have been considering buying a Akiya home if I move to Japan but yeah, there are so many hidden cost it can be scary.

[@pathandtarot]

This is a great tiny home video! Who would have thought there are so many barriers to access a free house.

[@hazonku]

I recall hearing about the residency requirement some places have in another video I saw on akiya. I think the reason so many go to waste is precisely because of the mountains of taxes and the requirements & paperwork differing so much in so many different places.

[@Embarrassed_Mess_]

OMG, you were right! That house is so cool! I would love to live in a little cabin like that! It’s always been a dream of mine. It’s a shame there are so many abandoned homes out there. I can see it being really expensive to renovate something like that, but it won’t stop me from dreaming about it! 😂 Thank you so much for sharing with us! 😊

[@TokyoLens]

thanks so much for being here for it!

[@CloudsAndCoffins]

It's so freaking cute, I would love to fix it up and move in! It's a shame they make these so hard to aquire.

[@taylorwoodcock7632]

I would love a place like this, this is an abseloute dream of mine, the deck and windows make it so cozy. the septic tank makes me queezy because of that one story of the dude climbing into one to creep on the lady in japan

[@michellebevans3847]

Hello from Sask! Really enjoy your videos! You tell the stories so well and always have such interesting content. I would love to visit there someday if I can ever get over my fear of flying lol.

[@sleepy2906]

You know, I actually wouldn’t mind living there! It’s an easy “fixer-upper” if you want to tweak it to your needs, and it’s obviously affordable 😂 Thanks again Norm for another interesting and relaxing video!

[@twitzmixx8374]

not they are not affordable 💀

[@sleepy2906]

@@twitzmixx8374 huh

[@twitzmixx8374]

@@sleepy2906 it is said in the video, the expenses after getting the house itself cost a lot. the various taxes.

[@dear.ambelina]

I adore this so much. I wish they would do something like this in the United States.

[@ashy1310]

They never would i government would just take the property before letting the poor get it for free lmao

[@krisnapv3063]

This is awesome! Some cleaning and modern apliances and that`s it. Could you explain more about the taxes and costs maybe?

[@b_ks]

Piece-en-piece log construction makes my favorite type of log cabin.

[@leahnardo]

The hidden fees and strings do make it a hard sell even if it’s free. But that log cabin was actually in REALLY good shape! Curious what kind of house you were looking at before you gave it up.

[@AlinaTheGoblin]

My first thought was...what would Okazaki-san have thought of this place! 😅 Thank you for introducing us to yet another aspect of Japan many wouldn't know about. It's such a treat to virtually go on these adventures with you.

[@tronbasic4968]

That little Sanyo Radio was my first foray into electronics repair. I had a grey version with wood accents, but other than that its the exact same one. The memories!

[@wellnessinsider]

Thank you! ❤ We really appreciate your work 👍

[@beccamay93]

Would never have guessed this was a full house from that Instagram story omg 😅

[@TokyoLens]

miss last weeks vid? there was a special preview!!!

[@beccamay93]

@@TokyoLens why didn't I put two and two together haha 😆

[@NamelesshunterGaming]

mind boggling, 26 and no way for me to get a house in my country, and you start telling me there are enough houses empty for half the population of my country.

[@ac61900]

This is an awesome video this is so sad a family like mine isn't looking for a home for so long and just get turned down every chance we try it's impossible and the dream of having a backyard may never come. I wish I could have one

[@zoescott779]

Man that house is wonderful, i would love living in a home like that! (My current place is only 450sq ft with no plumbing, so that looked like paradise to me)

[@arat2376]

Property tax is a misnomer and a terrible evil.

[@Hyperlux]

I would be more concerned about the house's foundation as well as any termite issues. With all the earthquakes in Japan, you have to look into a lot of details before accepting a free house or buying a used one. I really like the house you are showing. I live in Yokohama and want to move out in the country side.

[@jasonnoregretes491]

Not familiar with the termites Japan had, but even with simple subterranean termites will destroy that house in a few years

[@skybee001]

My sister is in Japan at the moment acquiring an Akiya house!! I can't wait to go over there and see it ☺️

[@ashleygoodrich3252]

Love the house! And the blooper at the end 😂 thanks!