Japan is great, modern and traditional.
And . . . Cheap?
That’s what Hannah Kirshner surprises her.
We are talking about buying property. The young American writer and food stylist has two properties in Yamanaka, a little hot spring town in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.
Kirshner had become interested in Japanese culture. In 2015, thanks to his connection, he had the opportunity to have a 3-month apprenticeship at a sake bar in Yamanaka.
Yamanaka’s foresty nature reminded her of her hometown North Bend, Washington. Also, the close-knit local community made her feel comfortable. In 2018, she moved to the town to fully immerse herself in the local culture. Her unique experiences, such as working at a sake brewery and carving wood trays with near-extinct ancient techniques, are summarized in her fascinating book Water, Wood, and Wild Things.
While living in a rented apartment for the first few years, an old empty space nearby caught his attention. It took Kirshner while locating the owner who was a classmate from his friend’s best school.
She acquired these centenary active captivators for less than $ 20,000. The space came here with land where it can grow plants and vegetables.
Also, she happened to meet the owner of the little house next door and asked her to sell it to Kirshner. Kirshner got it for $3,000.
Renovating her houses has been Kirshner’s passion project. Much of the work is done by herself and she keeps discovering pieces of precious history packed in the house. For instance, she found gorgeous sake cups left behind, which must have been used for special occasions like weddings and funerals. “It is the legacy of the family,” she says.
It’s 2023. around 14% of all houses in Japan stayed empty, many of which have unique values like Kirshner’s.
Why are there so many good, moderately priced houses in Japan?
As in many other countries, depopulation outside the gates of primary cities is adjusting a major challenge in Japan, and as a result, housing vacancies are in the country.
The empty houses are called Akiya in Japanese, and there are 3 other categories of Akiya.
There is still no strict definition speaking, Komika (an old house) is a residential house over 50 years old with old charms like the one Kirshner bought.
A vintage old space from Kominka, Japan.
The other is Machiya (a merchant townhouse). Like Kominka, machiya has a long history and classic values, but it is mostly located in historic cities like Kyoto, Nara and Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture for its original function.
The last category are the different empty houses of Kmenka and Machiya.
These old houses are in danger. For example, according to a survey conducted in the city of Kyoto, in 2009 there were 47,000 Machiya. The number was reduced to around 40,000 in 2016, indicating that the city is wasting 1,000 of its valuable buildings every year.
National and local governments have developed many systems to locate intelligent uses for old houses. Those of these systems are in Japanese, but you can also find lists in English such as Akiya Banks, Akiya & Inaka and Cheap Houses Japan.
Kirshner says, “It is important to understand that renovating and maintaining these vintage houses 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, unlike the widely widespread image, the cost of living in Japan is much less expensive than in the United States, especially with regard to food and housing.
For Kirshner, however, the maximum component of life 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 looking for me,” he says.
“Remember that when you buy a house, you don’t just get a property. You sign up for a community.
To be a good neighbor, Kirshner is fully involved in various activities, like attending the community association’s meetings, helping neighbors and doing volunteer work in the area.
Your effort is valued.
“Rural Japan might seem very closed because everything is based on relationships and trust. But once you have the trust of some people, all those doors open. “He accepts it as true to you, so I accept it with you,” that’s how things work here.
Note that you need a residency to live in Japan, even if you own a house. “Anyone can buy a property in Japan, but you need to have the right to stay there,” says Kirshner, who has an artist visa. You can find details on many English websites.
Kirshner renovates his house in Kominka.
When Kirshner bought the property, she will live temporarily in the small smaller space until the renewal of the main space was completed. But the plan has changed, expanded and enriched.
“Now I live so comfortably in this small area that I call it my area and make the main area exclusively a study-cocina. It will be an area for culinary retreats, workshops and networking events to show Yamanaka’s rich culinary culture.
Her goal is not only to showcase the local food culture and outside visitors. “I would like to create a link between the younger and the older generations too. My kitchen studio will be a place to connect everybody, like local grandmothers teaching young foreign visitors how to cook.”
Kirshner is the only one living in Komika and building a new life in Japan
If you are thinking of retirement or becoming a virtual nomad in an intelligent place, Japan is possibly an attractive option to consider.
A renewed room in Kirshner’s Kominka.
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