Bitsii moved to a remote fishing town in Ehime prefecture in 2021. She wasn’t ready to commit anything major since she was new to Japan and unsure visa renewal potential — until the locals handed her first vacant akiya house. This interview with Bitsii is full of interesting insights about akiya DIY and living in […]
Transforming an Akiya Into a Home: An Interview With Bitsii in Inaka Read More »
Dani and Evan, after living on an urban farm in New Orleans, moved to rural Japan to pursue hobbies like beekeeping and farming. They bought two akiya houses on Ōmishima island for their guesthouse and future home, attracted by the mild climate and tourism potential. Renovations were completed quickly despite challenges like time constraints and
Renovating an Old House into an AirBnB in Japan: An Interview with Dani & Evan Benton Read More »
Nick started a company called Japan Remotely to help people achieve the best of both worlds: live in Japan and work remotely. He shares his thoughts about the financial benefits of relocating to a cheap house in Japan. Would you mind quickly introducing yourself to our readers? How long have you lived in Japan and what brought
When Tom Fay wanted to set down roots in Japan, he left the city and bought a kominka in the countryside. Here’s his story. *All the photos on this page were taken by Tom Fay. Would you mind quickly introducing yourself to our readers? How long have you lived in Japan and what brought you
Escaping the City for the Countryside: An Interview with Tom Fay Read More »
Shenike bought her first house for 2.5 million yen and her second house for only 230,000 yen — and those numbers are including taxes and realtor fees! Here she shares her thoughts and experiences about buying and renovating her houses. *All the photos on this page are of the houses Shenike bought and the surroundings.
Buying 2 Houses In Japan For Less Than 3 Million Yen Read More »
Coline bought a house in Japan all from her home at France. I interviewed her about the process and her experience in it. She generously shared with us her journey and her future plans for the property. *All the photos on this page are of the house Coline bought and the surroundings. Would you mind
Buying A House In Japan From Abroad: An Interview with Coline Read More »
Gilles bought an akiya in Kyushu for under $10,000 and turned it into a lovely cafe / atelier / lodging. Here’s his story! *All the photos on this page are of the house Gilles bought and the surroundings. Would you mind quickly introducing yourself to our readers? How long have you lived in Japan and
Turning An Akiya Into An Atelier: An Interview With Gilles Read More »
Marc has lived in Japan for about 15 years and recently bought his dream home on the world famous island of Naoshima. In this interview, Marc shares with us about the real estate market in Naoshima, the challenges of working with renovation contractors, and convincing the owners to sell the house to him! *All the
I Bought My Dream Home On Naoshima: An Interview With Marc Read More »
Jamie lives in Tokyo and bought a vacation home in the Izu peninsula for under 2 Million JPY. She graciously gave us some of her time for this interview about using her house for remote work, the lessons she learned during the buying process, and even how much it cost to renovate. *All the photos
A Vacation Home In Japan For Under 2 Million Yen? An Interview with Jamie Read More »