A man in his 80s, who owns an akiya (a vacant home in need of repairs) in Uozu, Toyama Prefecture. He has made his home available under the Uozu city government’s “100-yen Akiya Bank” program which encourages sales of akiya by setting their price at 100 yen.
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I raised my children here, so I feel a twinge of sadness if I have to tear it down. If there are people who are happy to use it, I’d love to offer it even for 100 yen.
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12 Comments
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tora
Nobel on his part for sure. But can be certain that there will be all kinds of conditions such as having to have work in advance, make a certain amount of money, have a certain family size, staying in the area for a set number of years, contribute to the community in a meaningful way etc....
If they really want to solve this issue they are going to have to start with offering places with no strings attached. At the moment they are overcomplicating things.
Mr Kipling
Or just accept the reality, Japan's population is falling rapidly. That smaller population does not want to live in Toyama or places like it.
wallace
Many foreigners are buying akiyas.
Burning Bush
Yes. And it's not all it's cracked up to be.
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c9wk01d2gvxo
JeffLee
I can't understand the attitude of owning a house and land then leaving it empty to rot. He should have disposed of it, including demolition, if he didn't want it or he should have maintained it if he wants to keep it. If it would were me, I would have put a tennis court on it. Too late now.
Sven Asai
That means a ramen soup is already worth seven houses. lol
Jayszee
I want to own Akiya house but I have no idea on what to do.
wallace
Jayszee
You can start by checking out the "House Bank" provided by the prefectures. It lists properties, many of which are in reasonable or good condition.
There are videos on YouTube explaining the procedures.
Burning Bush
You might want to check the BBC link I posted below first. Buying an 空き家 is nothing to be sniffed at.
Mr Kipling
Demolition and disposal would cost the same or more than the house and land value. Add to that the tax on a vacant lot is more than land with a house.
Michael Corleone
but i told countless other interested novices what to do so there is no excuse
kohakuebisu
This particular house, there is only one of them, is pretty good. It's got a shower toilet and the bathroom looks usable as is. Its therefore getting this special 100 yen promotion by the town. They clearly think its worth going to someone good. To apply, you need to be a couple or parent/child intending to move there permanently. Such condition does not apply to other houses you can buy in the countryside.
If you just want a second house as a DIY fantasy, there are bazillions of them of less than three million yen, many of which with more idyllic locations and land you can do whatever Thoreau/permaculture homesteading/Youtuber fantasies you may have on.