Japan is cool and traditional.
And … cheap?
Here’s what Hannah Kirshner discovered to her surprise.
We are talking about buying a property. The young American and food stylist owns two houses in Yamanaka, a small hot spring town in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.
Kirshner has been interested in Japanese culture. In 2015, thanks to its connections, he had the opportunity to make a three -month learning in a Sake bar in Yamanaka.
The nature of Yamanaka in the Yamanaka tie reminded him of his in North Bend, Washington. Plus, the tight-knit local network made her feel comfortable. In 2018, he moved to the city to fully immerse himself in the local culture. His exclusive experiences, such as running in a sake brewery and wooden trays carved with almost equal ancient techniques, are summed up in his desirable electronic desire for water, wood and wild things.
While she lived in a rented apartment for the first few years, an empty old house nearby caught her eye. It took Kirshner a while to find the owner who happened to be her friend’s high school classmate.
They gave these lovely goods less than 100 years old for less than $ 20,000. The space came with a land where it could only grow plants and vegetables.
In addition, he met the owner of the small space next door and asked him to sell it to Kirshner. Kirshner gave it to him for $3,000.
Renovating her houses was Kirshner’s exciting commission. A large part of the paintings is done through her own and she continues to notice pieces of valuable history wrapped around the house. For example, he noticed magnificent sake cups that should have been used for special events such as weddings and funerals. “It’s the family’s heritage,” he says.
It’s 2023. About 14% of all homes in Japan were left empty, many of which have values like Kirshner’s.
Why are there so many great properties available at reasonable prices in Japan?
As in many other countries, depopulation outside the gates of primary cities is becoming a major challenge in Japan and, as a result, vacant houses are across the country.
Empty houses are called Akiya in Japanese, and there are 3 other categories of Akiya.
One is Kominka. There is no strict definition but generally speaking, Kominka (an old house) is a residential house over 50 years old with antique charms like the one Kirshner purchased.
An ancient Komika space in Japan.
The other is Machiya (a merchant house). Like Kominka, Machiya has a long history and vintage values, however, it is basically found in historical cities such as Kyoto, Nara and Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture for its original function.
The last category is empty houses other than Komika and Machiya.
These old houses are at risk. For example, according to a survey by the city of Kyoto, there were 47,000 Machiya in 2009. The number declined to around 40,000 in 2016, indicating that the city is losing 1,000 of its precious buildings every year.
National and local governments have developed many systems to find intelligent use for old houses. Some of those systems are in Japanese, but you can also find lists in English like Akiya Banks, Akiya
Kirshner says, “It’s to be perceived that renovating and maintaining those old homes can be very expensive. »
A machiya in Kyoto.
Japan has many benefits as a living position. The country has one of the most productive healthcare systems in the world, seamless maritime connections with exact operations, low crime, history, and culture, not to mention delicious cuisine.
And surprisingly, contrary to the widely held image, Japan’s living charge is far less expensive than the United States, especially food and housing.
For Kirshner, however, the most important aspect of living in Japan is the quality of life.
“I love the feeling of being part of the community. Most of my neighbors are much older than me and don’t speak English, but I know they are watching me,” he says.
“Remember, when you buy a house, you are not just getting property. You are joining a community.”
To be a smart neighbor, Kirshner cares completely about activities like attending network association meetings, helping neighbors, and volunteering in the neighborhood.
Your effort is what you value.
“Rural Japan can seem very closed because everything is based on relationships and you accept it as true. But once you accept it as true with a few people, all those doors open. “It’s also true for you,” is how things are presented here.
Keep in mind that you want to live in Japan, even if you own a home. “Anyone can buy assets in Japan, however, they must have the right to stay there,” says Kirshner, who has an artist visa. You can find main points on many English language websites.
Kirshner renovates his house in Kominka.
When Kirshner bought the property, he will live temporarily in the small additional space until the renewal of the main space ends. But the plan has changed, expanded and enriched.
“Now l am so comfortable living in the little house that I decided to call it my home and make the main house exclusively a kitchen studio. It will be a space for a culinary retreat, workshops and community events to introduce the rich food culture of Yamanaka.”
Its objective is solely to bring local gastronomic culture and external visitors closer. “I would also like to create a bond between the younger and older generations. My cooking studio will be a bonding place for everyone, like local grandmothers teaching young foreign visitors how to cook. »»
Kirshner is not the only one who lives in Kominka and building a new life in Japan
If you are making plans to retire or become a virtual nomad in a smart location, Japan is possibly an attractive option to consider.
A renewed room in Kirshner’s Komika.
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