With the number of akiya in Japan rising and interest in them becoming more widespread, it can be very confusing to know where to begin the search. Well, look no further. In this post, we hope to assist you in beginning your search for the perfect akiya for you and note all of the things to consider before using up your time and energy looking in the wrong places.
Location
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: when looking for an akiya, the primary aspect to consider is the location it is in. There are akiya all over the country, but with so many of them located quite a distance from civilisation and all of the perks that come with it, not all of them are located in easily livable areas.
Consider the type of climate you wish to have, as this can vary greatly in different areas. Are you looking for somewhere that is going to get a lot of snow in the winter? Or are you more interested in somewhere that will have a mild climate throughout the year?
N.B. Many areas in northern Japan experience huge amounts of snowfall each year, and this presents many challenges. You or someone else will need to clear the snow regularly throughout the winter to avoid it building up to dangerous levels and damaging the property.
When starting your search, try to consider places you know or have visited. There should be somewhere for you to purchase food, drinks, and essentials without needing to fill up a tank of fuel to get there and back. Also, are there attractions in the area that engage people? Are there sports facilities, hiking and mountain bike trails, lookout points, ski resorts, hot springs (onsens), lakes, rivers, beaches, etc.?
Something else to bear in mind when it comes to the area is the government subsidies available. As incentives to encourage young people to move to rural areas, there are often grants and subsidies you can apply for. Many of these relate to renovating akiya or simply being under a certain age and moving to the area.
Size
Something we considered was the size of the property. We wanted a house that was a manageable size for us to renovate and with some land to be able to have a garden and grow produce. We also didn’t want neighbours’ houses too close to encroach on our privacy.
These all sound like quite reasonable search parameters, but so many of the houses in Japan have been extended as families grew, meaning that they get bigger and bigger until they are gigantic. Houses that big are expensive to heat in the winter and take a lot of time, energy, and money to renovate. In our case, our budget dictated we needed something that wouldn’t cost us a fortune to make comfortable, and we didn’t want to spend years getting it to that point. Another phenomenon in Japan is that they also tend to build very close to one another, even in rural areas (this is something I still don’t understand).
Condition
When you begin searching through akiya banks and looking at the photos and details of the properties, be mindful of their condition. It may seem like a fun idea to buy a dilapidated old place and give it a full renovation, but this costs a huge amount of time, energy, and money. The better the condition of the property, the more easily and quickly it can be ready to be lived in.
Things to look out for are the age of the property, the length of time it has been empty, and whether it is in a hazardous area for floods, landslides, or other naturally occurring damage. If the property is in a shaded area, are there signs of dampness?
When going to view an akiya, it is worth having someone with you who has some knowledge about building standards and safety. In many situations, the real estate agency will offer a building surveyor to attend and inspect the property (for an additional cost). Alternatively, someone who is able to look around the house for any rising/falling dampness, structural issues, evidence of termites, and any other things indicating the house may be unsound.
Other key things to consider are whether the house is using a sump or septic tank, how the garbage disposal works, the quality of the roof tiles, whether there is any insulation in the property, etc.
Method
There are three ways to find akiya.
- Akiya Banks
- Real Estate
- Find the house and contact owners directly
Akiya Banks
As mentioned in other posts, akiya banks are databases set up to consolidate information on empty homes in Japan for potential buyers to view.
Most municipalities have their own website for this purpose, although not all regions have them.
Real Estate
Not all real estate agents will deal with akiya. Reasons for this are down to the commission they receive if they sell these properties. As the properties are often very cheap, the commission would be small and so they focus on more expensive properties and land.
In most rural areas, there are real estate firms that will deal with some akiya. It is worth visiting their websites or offices when you know the area you would like to live in.
Find the house and contact owners directly
This is perhaps the most difficult, yet cost effective and affordable option. If you find a house that you believe is an akiya and you would like to purchase it, you may be able to contact the owner directly. It is possible to go to the Legal Affairs Bureau（法務局) and receive information on the current owner’s address and contact details for a small charge (about 600 yen). This service can also be found online (via the link) for a slightly cheaper price.
As many of these properties have been empty and abandoned for a long time, the information for current owners is often outdated and contacting them can be difficult.
Visit
Although the internet has a wealth of information on this topic now, the photos and details leave a lot to be desired. Viewing the house in person is always going to be the best way to give you a clear idea of the amount of work it requires and whether you would be happy to live in that location/house.
