Discover inspiring before-and-after stories of akiya renovations in Japan. See how abandoned homes are transformed into stunning retreats, cafés, and guesthouses. A must-read for design lovers, lifestyle dreamers, and rural revival enthusiasts.
In the quiet corners of Japan’s countryside—beyond the neon skyline of Tokyo or the buzzing lanes of Osaka—sits a growing treasure trove of forgotten homes, known as akiya (空き家). These abandoned or unused properties, left behind by aging populations or urban flight, are becoming unlikely stars in Japan’s real estate revival—and savvy international buyers are taking notice.
Once dismissed as decaying relics, akiya are now symbols of sustainable living, minimalist dreams, and affordable escapes—available from as low as $0 to $25,000. From misty mountain towns to sun-kissed islands, Japan’s akiya boom is transforming more than just old rooftops—it’s breathing life back into whole communities.
Akiya (空き家) are vacant or abandoned homes in Japan, a growing issue and opportunity in both rural and suburban parts of the country. As of the latest government survey by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, there were over 8.49 million akiya in Japan as of 2018, making up approximately 13.6% of the total housing stock. That percentage is expected to increase to 30% by 2033 due to depopulation, aging, and urban migration.
Aging Population: Japan has one of the world’s oldest populations. When elderly owners pass away or move into nursing homes, properties often go unclaimed or unsold.
Urban Migration: Younger generations are relocating to big cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya), leaving rural towns and their homes behind.
Inheritance Issues: Legal complications or lack of interest among heirs can leave properties in limbo.
Cultural Perceptions: In some cases, homes where deaths occurred (especially suicides) are seen as inauspicious and hard to sell.
Cost of Demolition: It’s often more expensive to demolish old homes than to leave them standing, especially in remote areas.
Types of Akiya
· Completely abandoned: No utilities, in disrepair, overgrown with vegetation.
· Semi-abandoned: Still structurally sound, often with furniture intact.
· Inheritable homes: Available for sale or use but legally complicated.
· Government-listed akiya: Properties listed in official Akiya Banks.
Prices and Investment Potential
Some akiya homes are listed for as little as ¥0 to ¥3 million (USD $0–$25,000) — especially in rural areas. However: Renovation costs can range from ¥2 million to ¥10 million (USD $15,000–$80,000). Foreign buyers must consider zoning laws, property tax, and ownership regulations.
In more desirable areas like Nagano, Fukuoka, or parts of Hokkaido, akiya homes are being flipped into: Guesthouses. Cafés. Remote work hubs. Vacation homes
Akiya Banks (空き家バンク)
These are online databases managed by municipalities to match akiya with potential buyers. Examples: Nagano Akiya Bank. Wakayama Akiya Bank. Shimane Akiya Bank. National-level Akiya Bank portals
They often offer: Property listings with maps and photos. Local government support. Occasionally subsidies for renovation or relocation
Foreign Buyer Tips
1. You can buy property in Japan as a foreigner — no citizenship or visa is required.
2. You can't get a land mortgage easily unless you're a resident, but cash purchases are accepted.
3. Use a Japanese-speaking agent or akiya support firm to help with paperwork and inspections.
4. Look for regions that welcome foreign investors (e.g., Shizuoka, Kyushu, Tohoku).
5. Check for natural disaster risks, especially in older homes.
Government Support and Trends
Local governments are offering cash grants, renovation subsidies, and child-rearing support to new residents. Towns like Kamikatsu and Okutama have turned akiya programs into community revitalization tools. Some prefectures are marketing akiya to remote workers and digital nomads.
Nagano is a mountainous inland region famous for ski resorts (Hakuba), hot springs (Nozawa Onsen), and scenic towns (Karuizawa, Matsumoto). It's highly sought after for second homes and remote work escapes.
Cool air, ski resorts, and mountain serenity. Just 90 minutes from Tokyo, Nagano’s forests and onsens attract nature-lovers and telecommuters. Akiya near Karuizawa or Nozawa Onsen are ideal for second homes or Airbnb getaways.
Akiya Revival Efforts: Karuizawa and Ueda offer government-linked subsidies for young families moving into akiya. Some towns provide up to ¥1 million (~$6,500) for renovation and ¥500,000 (~$3,200) for relocation. The Nagano Akiya Bank lists hundreds of properties, many with mountain or forest surroundings.
Popular With: Tokyo escapees (just 1–2 hours by bullet train). Remote workers seeking cooler climates. Outdoor lovers: hiking, skiing, and hot springs.
Home to Mt. Fuji views, wineries, and fruit orchards. Yamanashi has become popular for those seeking peaceful countryside life within reach of Tokyo.
If sipping wine with Mt. Fuji in the background sounds good, Yamanashi is calling. Great for retirees, orchard entrepreneurs, and spiritual nomads. Homes often come with land and deep views.
Akiya Revival Efforts: Towns like Koshu and Hokuto offer grants to turn akiya into guesthouses or businesses. The prefecture offers financial support for earthquake retrofitting. Yamanashi Akiya Bank features listings under ¥5 million (~$30,000), often with farmland attached.
Popular With: Artists, retirees, and telecommuters. Wellness and spiritual seekers (many yoga/zen retreats). Agri-tourism and eco-living advocates.
A coastal and island-rich prefecture with stunning Seto Inland Sea views, historic towns like Matsuyama, and peaceful rural living.
Seto Inland Sea calm, fishing villages, and cycling along the famous Shimanami Kaido. Akiya here are cheap and peaceful, often near the water or forest. A perfect setting for a café or a writer’s escape.
Akiya Revival Efforts: Shimanami Kaido islands (famous cycling route) are revitalizing old homes into hostels and cafés. Matsuyama offers relocation support and tax incentives for young families and creatives. Ehime Akiya Bank has many homes under ¥2 million (~$13,000) in fishing villages or inland farm towns.
Popular With: Cyclists, retirees, and slow-life enthusiasts. Entrepreneurs starting cafés or craft shops. Those wanting island life with mainland access.
Japan’s smallest prefecture by land, Kagawa is famous for udon noodles, Setouchi Art Triennale, and islands like Naoshima with world-class art installations.
Japan’s art island prefecture. With Naoshima and Takamatsu leading the revival, akiya here are being transformed into galleries, boutiques, and artist studios. Ideal for visionaries and design-forward minds.
Akiya Revival Efforts: Takamatsu and Naoshima promote akiya renovation for art studios, hostels, and galleries. Art collectives are transforming akiya into cultural spaces. The prefecture offers financial assistance for new business use of akiya.
Popular With: Artists, designers, and creative nomads. Fans of contemporary art and island life. Expat entrepreneurs and remote workers.
A modern city hub (Fukuoka City) mixed with vibrant coastal towns and mountainous inland areas like Itoshima and Ukiha. Fukuoka offers urban conveniences with countryside charm.
Where countryside meets cool. The beaches of Itoshima are turning akiya into boho surf homes, bakeries, and remote-work hubs. Fukuoka is one of Japan’s fastest-growing cities and one of its most welcoming to foreigners.
Akiya Revival Efforts: Itoshima has seen a boom in renovated akiya as bakeries, co-working hubs, and Airbnb-style homes. The prefecture provides subsidies up to ¥1.5 million (~$10,000) for akiya repair. Fukuoka City runs tech-friendly relocation campaigns, attracting start-ups and freelancers.
Popular With: Young families and digital nomads. Surfers, foodies, and creatives. People who want both city access and coastal lifestyle.
Between Tokyo and Nagoya, with Mt. Fuji, Izu Peninsula beaches, hot springs, and a rich tea-growing culture. Ideal for vacation homes and weekend escapes. Think beaches, tea fields, and slow Izu Peninsula living. Popular with Tokyo creatives, these akiya often come with sea views and town subsidies for renovation.
Akiya Revival Efforts: Izu Peninsula towns (e.g., Shimoda, Ito) offer affordable akiya with ocean views. Some municipalities offer matching programs for buyers and sellers + tax incentives. Renovation grants available for seismic upgrades and plumbing.
Popular With: Tokyo professionals seeking weekend getaways. Wellness retreat operators (yoga, spa). Surf and dive communities (especially in Shimoda).
With over 8 million abandoned homes nationwide, local governments are turning to creative solutions to reimagine these properties. The Akiya Bank system, a set of municipal property listings, offers everything from traditional wooden townhouses to seaside villas—some even for free.
But it’s not just about getting a home on the cheap. It’s about what you can do with it.
Across Japan, akiya are being turned into: Tranquil weekend homes for Tokyo workers. Guesthouses and cafés in scenic rural towns. Co-working studios for remote creatives. Zen-inspired retreats for digital detox
And no, you don’t have to be a Japanese citizen. Foreigners can legally buy multiple akiya properties, without needing permanent residency. Some are even using them as a base for a new business—or a slower, more meaningful life.
You don’t need to be a citizen, and there’s no legal limit to how many properties you own. Just a passport, a good agent, and a clear renovation plan.
Most akiya cost between ¥1–5 million ($7,000–$35,000), but renovation may run higher. Some towns even offer cash grants and tax breaks to help you rebuild. If you’re considering turning it into a business—like a guesthouse or tea shop—look into forming a small Japanese company to streamline the process.
Buying an akiya (vacant home) in Japan as a foreigner is entirely possible—and in many cases, encouraged by local governments—even if you are not a resident or citizen of Japan. However, there are specific requirements, considerations, and steps to be aware of.
Foreigners can legally buy property, including akiya, in Japan with no special visa or residency requirement. You can own: Land + house (freehold). Old houses (akiya). Condominiums. Second homes or vacation homes. Japan does not restrict foreign ownership of land—unlike countries like Thailand or the Philippines.
Akiya-Specific Considerations
Due Diligence is Critical. Many akiya homes are: Old or deteriorated. May lack insulation, plumbing, or earthquake resistance. Sometimes located in depopulated or isolated areas. Hire a property inspector or renovation consultant if possible.
Renovation Requirements. Some local governments require renovations within a set time (e.g., within 1–3 years after purchase), especially if the home is heavily subsidized or part of a revitalization plan.
Zoning and Usage. If you plan to use the akiya as a business, Airbnb, or guesthouse, check: Zoning laws. Licenses required (e.g., Minpaku regulations for short-term rentals)
Using Akiya Bank (空き家バンク)
Many prefectures and towns list akiya on government-run websites called "Akiya Banks". To use them: Visit the local Akiya Bank (some are regional, like Nagano Akiya Bank or Kagawa Akiya Bank). Register (some websites are in Japanese only). Contact the municipality or real estate partner to view or negotiate. Some towns require applicants to live locally or plan to move in for access to subsidies.
Visa/Residency Status
You do NOT need a visa or residency to buy. However, owning property does not entitle you to a visa. If you plan to live long-term, you must apply separately for a: Work visa. Business manager visa. Student visa. Spouse visa. Permanent residency (eventually)
Optional: Buying Through a Company
If you want to: Own multiple akiya. Renovate and operate a business (guesthouse, café). Seek tax efficiency. You can register a Japanese company (KK or GK) and buy property through it. Some foreigners do this for Airbnb-type businesses.
Hire a bilingual agent or consultant. Use a judicial scrivener to manage registration and taxes. Check local regulations—some towns want owner-occupiers, not investors. Consider insurance for earthquake, fire, and renovation coverage. Be realistic about renovation costs.
Foreigners can own multiple akiya properties in Japan, with no legal limit on the number of properties you can own, even if you are: Not a resident. Not a citizen. Not physically living in Japan
Japan allows full freehold ownership of land and buildings by foreigners, with no restriction on quantity or type (house, land, commercial property, etc.).
1. No Citizenship or Residency Requirement. You do not need a visa or Japanese address to own multiple akiya. However, if you: Plan to live in them, Rent them out, Renovate for business use (like a café or guesthouse), you must follow zoning rules and possibly apply for a business license or appropriate visa.
2. Register Each Property Separately. Each purchase must go through: Property registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau. Fixed asset tax registration. Payment of acquisition taxes per property. Each akiya you own will be taxed and managed individually.
3. Managing Multiple Akiya. Owning several properties means: Paying annual fixed asset taxes for each (based on land/building value). Maintaining each house to avoid municipal fines (if it’s too deteriorated or dangerous). You may need a property manager or caretaker if you’re abroad.
4. You Can Operate Akiya as Business Properties. You’re allowed to: Renovate and resell (flipping). Open Airbnb-style guesthouses (with Minpaku license). Create cafés, art studios, workshops, coworking spaces. If you operate them commercially: You may want to set up a Japanese corporation (GK or KK) for better tax and business structuring. A Business Manager Visa may be available if you invest at least ¥5 million (~$35,000 USD) and run the business locally.
5. Subsidies & Limitations. Some akiya revival programs offer: Cash grants. Renovation subsidies. Reduced-price properties (¥0 homes). Caution: Some towns require you to live in the home to qualify for grants. If you're collecting multiple homes purely for investment, you may not be eligible for those incentives — always check the fine print.
6. Tax Implications. Japan has: No property ownership tax limits for foreigners. No inheritance tax unless your heirs are residents of Japan. But you must pay annual fixed property tax (kotei shisan zei). If you're not a resident, you may: Need a tax representative. Be taxed differently on income (e.g. Airbnb revenue)
More Than a Home—It’s a Lifestyle
For many, the akiya experience is about slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and becoming part of a local story. You’re not just buying walls and a roof—you’re reviving a piece of forgotten Japan.
Whether it’s morning mist in Nagano or the scent of udon in Kagawa, these homes offer something far richer than price tags: peace, possibility, and place.
