Buying an akiya (abandoned house) in Japan can be exciting and overwhelming. I’ve learned the hard way that not all cheap houses are created equal. Here’s my personal checklist when I’m sizing up a potential property:
1. Access to Public Transit
Train access is ideal, but even remote towns usually have a decent bus network, and it runs on time (this is Japan, after all). Don’t forget to factor in hills when calculating walking distance. Japan can be deceptively vertical and a half a mile walk could be straight up hill.
2. Driveway or Legal Parking
Planning to buy a car in Japan? You must have a registered parking spot within 2km of your home, or you can’t register the vehicle. You can rent a spot from your neighbor or the local municipality but if having a car in Japan is a must for you don’t buy a house without a driveway.
3. Proximity to a Convenience Store
Convenience stores in Japan are basically lifelines. I wouldn’t want to be more than a 10-minute walk from a Lawson or 7-Eleven. Food, bills, coffee, Wi-Fi even underwear, they’ve got it all.
4. Snow Dumping Space
If it’s a snowy town, you need somewhere to shovel and dump snow. We got lucky our house has a side plot. Without one, you might need to hire a truck service to haul it off. Towns on the sea of Japan coast can get 50 feet of snow in a season.
5. Zoning Laws for Rentals
Want to rent it out short-term? You’ll need a Minpaku or Ryokan license, and not all areas allow them. Don’t just buy a house and assume you’ll get approved. For stays over 30 days, no license is needed, but still do your homework.
6. Boundary Issues & Shared Walls
Check for official boundary markers (usually metal crosses at the corners of the lot). Older homes may share walls with neighbors and those neighbors might come knocking when it’s time for repairs. Know what you’re signing up for.
7. Shared Utilities or Neighbor Land Use
Older homes sometimes share water or drainage lines. If they run through a neighbor’s property, you could end up paying usage fees or footing the bill to reroute pipes. Confirm what’s shared and what’s not.
8. Moisture Damage & Hidden Rot
Japan’s humid climate can be brutal on older homes. Moisture buildup leads to rot, and it’s often hidden behind walls. Moldy smells or wall stains are big red flags. If it smells like a damp basement, trust your nose.
9. Property Rights Check
Old homes can come with messy paperwork mortgages, land leases, provisional ownership transfers, you name it. You don’t want to find out after the fact that someone else still has rights to the land. Get everything checked out thoroughly.
10. Earthquake Resistance
Buildings built after June 1981 follow updated quake safety standards. Older homes aren’t necessarily unsafe, but knowing which standard the property meets is important—both for peace of mind and resale value.
Bonus: Roof Leaks & Ice Dams
Vacant homes fall apart faster than lived-in ones. Snow-heavy areas are especially at risk for roof damage and ice dam leaks (called suga-more in Japanese). Water stains on ceilings usually mean trouble so look up during your home tour. Or if you use us, we’ll have you covered
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Our team
Meet the founders.
Derek has been working in the Airbnb space for the past 10+ years and recently purchased a home in Japan. He is excited to bring this investment opportunity to others in the States & abroad.
Nick has a passion for adventure and has always dreamed of owning a property in Japan. His dreams finally came true when Derek brought him in on a deal of a lifetime in Hokkaido, Japan - one of Nick's favorite places on Earth.