Akiya simply means abandoned or vacant houses in rural areas of Japan. The type and condition of these houses varies drastically depending on each property. They can come at a surprisingly low cost but usually require many times more money to repair and maintain.
Links to municipal Akiya banks
KORYOYA does not provide support in buying Akiya properties (properties listed on the municipal Akiya bank pages) at the moment. Please contact the municipal directly via the Akiya bank pages (In Japanese only). Click or hover over image to see price and house size.
Misasa Town, Tottori Pref.
Sakegawa Village, Yamagata Pref.
Kawanishi Town, Yamagata Pref.
Seiyo City, Ehime Pref.
Daigomachi, Ibaraki Pref.
Masuda City, Shimane Pref.
Okinoshima, Shimane Pref.
Yosanocho, Kyoto Pref.
Ayabe City, Kyoto Pref.
Kumano City, Mie Pref.
Hiimi City, Toyama Pref.
Takaoka City, Toyama Pref.
Yabu City, Hyogo Pref.
Akitakata City, Hiroshima Pref.
Tamba City, Hyogo Pref.
Ureshino City, Saga Pref.
Annaka City, Gunma Pref.
Wajima City, Ishikawa Pref.
Hiimi City, Toyama Pref.
Takeo City, Saga Pref.
Aso City, Kumamoto Pref.
Tatsuno City, Hyogo Pref.
Itoigawa City, Niigata Pref.
Since most Akiya properties are handled directly by each municipal in Japan, you need to first contact the municipals through their Akiya bank pages and register yourself on their system before you can officially inquiry about a certain Akiya property. Since the purpose of the Akiya banks is for the buyers to relocate to the rural areas of Japan, most Akiya properties are not available to buyers currently living overseas.
Unfortunately no, mainly because the municipals require the buyer to register to the Akiya bank system himself/herself and third parties are not allowed to register on behalf of the buyer.
Please visit the Akiya bank pages of each municipal and ask for assistance. Most of the time you are required to submit proof of residence in Japan, although in some cases a copy of your passport is also accepted.
Yes. Some Akiya properties are both registered on the Akiya banks and listed for sale on commercial real estate sites. The Kominka and Machiya houses listed on KORYOYA are handled directly by local real estate agents and can be purchased without the need to relocate to Japan.
Most properties listed on the Akiya banks ranges from $10,000 USD to $100,000 USD. Most require renovation that could cost 2-3 times the purchasing price.
The purchasing flow and the types of services you may need depends on factors such as where you live, your ability to communicate in Japanese, and your intended use of the property. Please note that we only provide services for properties that are NOT listed on the Akiya banks.
The traditional Japanese houses listed on KORYOYA are all built before 1950 with the traditional
construction method.
The traditional method is the result of more than a thousand years of
past carpenters passing down their efforts and wisdoms. As no new houses can be built with the
traditional construction method under current law, the high craftsmanship is in danger of becoming a
dying art.
Get the latest information on traditional houses all over Japan!