Buying an old house in Japan can be a great way to secure a property at a much lower price, so long as you keep these considerations in mind.
The phenomenon of foreigners buying an old house in Japan has been growing in popularity in recent times as young people look for alternatives to rising house prices in their home countries.
Having gone through the process of buying a property in Japan with my brother, I can attest the process is rather smooth (even if you don’t speak the language), but there are a few things to consider before closing the deal.
1. The Cost
Naturally, you would only want to consider a house that is within your means, but if you’ve saved up anywhere around 5,000,000 yen (35,000 USD), then you are in a power position!
Old or abandoned houses in Japan can cost as little as 1,000,000 yen (7,000 USD), though there is typically a catch to this (which will be discussed in the following sections).
In any case, you’ll need a fair amount of savings before you consider purchasing an old house in Japan, typically the amount you’d pay for a deposit in a country like Australia.
2. The Location
Remember, there are reasons that these low-cost homes are unwanted in Japan, and an outback, remote location is often one of those reasons.
However, this isn’t always the case as you can still purchase cheap homes reasonably close to major city centers.
My brother and I live in a town called Mukaijima just 10 km out from Kyoto station, and we even have our own nearby train stations to get us there in under 30 minutes.
Ultimately, if you’re planning to live and work in Japan, you should ensure there are sufficient transportation routes that can get you to your workplace in a timely manner.
3. The Size
Japanese homes are typically smaller than the standard Western home, after all, compact living is one of the necessities of a dense population like Japan.
This Mukaijima home of ours can technically fit about four people given the amount of beds, however, I personally would not recommend any more than two people living here on a permanent basis.
On that note, be sure to consider your own needs when inspecting houses, taking special care to ensure things like the bathroom size, kitchen size, and bedroom size are to your expectations.
Another thing to consider is the higher-than-average steepness of the staircase in these types of homes, as they may not be suited for those with chronic injuries (even I sometimes struggle going up!).
4. The Condition
One of the most important considerations when it comes to old houses in Japan is their condition, as it’s often the poorness of their infrastructure that makes them so affordable.
In our case, my brother and I knew we wouldn’t be able to afford renovations, so only targeted homes that people had already lived in as in recent times.
A good way to avoid homes in need of renovations is to only target old Japanese homes rather than akiya, otherwise known as “abandoned houses” that have not been occupied in recent history.
In our case, we found a home that was recently used as a guesthouse, making it an ideal place to move into right away!
5. The Vibe
After reviewing many different old houses in Japan, some of which were arguably better than the one we chose from a practical standpoint, we ultimately went for the one that felt the most like home for us.
The peaceful quiet town of Mukaijima offered stunning rivers, farmlands, and mountains that we simply could not pass by for an ordinary neighborhood in the center of Osaka or Kyoto city.
It all depends on what your vibe preferences are, whether you prefer something closer to the hustle and bustle of city life or the tranquility of countryside life, you should place the greatest emphasis on this consideration before sealing the deal on your new home!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!