In this episode of Buying a House in Japan, Taker and Joey sit down with Keito Swan, a half-Japanese U.S. native who bought and fully renovated a 50-year-old akiya in Higashikawa, Hokkaido. Keito breaks down the real expenses behind his $180,000 project, the hard realities of local weather and trash rules, and why he thinks most foreign buyers should think twice before purchasing property in Japan.

Key Takeaways

  • The True Akiya Budget: Why cheap listings can quickly turn into $180,000 projects once you factor in full gut renovations and harsh climates.
  • Local Integration Matters: Why understanding community rules, trash sorting, and local events like the Undokai make or break your living experience in rural Japan.
  • The Airbnb Trap: Why managing remote vacation rentals in Japan rarely delivers the expected ROI for average buyers.
  • Financial and Practical Realities: Why liquid capital, language access, or realistic plans for upkeep are non-negotiable for Japanese homeownership.

Main Points

  • Keito's Journey to Hokkaido: Driving the Pan-American Highway, leaving a failed deal in Niseko behind, and finding a property in Higashikawa on Suumo while parked in the Atacama Desert.
  • Renovating a 50-Year-Old House: Dealing with sub-zero temperatures, replacing entire plumbing systems, and prepping a house for 10 meters of annual snow.
  • Skepticism Around the Akiya Boom: Unpacking common sales tactics, misleading online listings, and why low-cost rural houses often cost more than they are worth.
  • Living in a Town of 8,000: Joining the local track-and-field day, dealing with village addresses, and building future plans for cabins, an art studio, and an English school.

Resources & Links Mentioned

 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. If you or someone you know wants to find a property in Japan, check outmokomoko.com or email us at podcast@mokomoko.com.

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