Articles

Practical Guide

Practical Guide · 1 min read · Audio

How to Request More Properties in Any Area of Japan

Can't find enough listings in your target area? Akiya Japan's Coverage Request feature lets you tell us exactly where you want more properties — and we'll go find them.

March 28, 2026

Culture · 7 min read · Audio

The Kotatsu: Japan's Cosiest Secret and What It Means for Your Home

How a heated table under a blanket became the heart of Japanese winter life — and why it matters if you are buying a home in Japan.

March 27, 2026

Practical Guide · 4 min read · Audio

What to Ask Before Paying for Any Akiya Platform

Not all akiya search platforms are created equal. A practical checklist of questions every buyer should ask before subscribing — from hidden fees to listing counts.

March 27, 2026

Regional Guide · 11 min read · Audio

Nagano's Akiya Boom: Ski Town Properties the World Hasn't Discovered Yet

Hakuba and Nozawa get the headlines, but smaller Nagano towns like Madarao, Yamanouchi, and Iiyama offer similar mountain access at a fraction of the price.

March 26, 2026

Market Analysis · 3 min read · Audio

The Global Fuel Crisis: Why Japan Is Suddenly One of the Cheapest Places to Drive

Petrol in New Zealand is heading toward NZ$4/litre. Australia hit A$2.31. Singapore crossed S$4 for premium. Meanwhile Japan costs ¥158/litre — less than half. Here is why, and what it means for property buyers.

March 25, 2026

Regional Guide · 11 min read · Audio

Kanagawa: Beach Towns and Mountain Retreats Within Tokyo's Reach

Hayama, Miura, Hakone, and Yugawara — Kanagawa's akiya market offers lifestyle properties with ocean views and onsen access, all less than 90 minutes from central Tokyo.

March 25, 2026

Practical Guide · 8 min read · Audio

Are Akiya Houses Really Free? What Nobody Tells You

Zero-yen houses in Japan exist, but free is misleading. Real costs include ¥2-15M in renovation, taxes, and social obligations nobody warns you about.

March 23, 2026

Market Analysis · 4 min read · Audio

Will the World Move Toward the Lights?

The standard akiya narrative is about decline. But what if 9.4 million empty houses in a country with world-class infrastructure is actually an invitation?

March 22, 2026

Market Analysis · 12 min read · Audio

The Future of Akiya: How Japan's Aging Population Creates Opportunity

Japan's demographic decline is creating a polarized property market. Nine million vacant homes and counting — here's where the real opportunities are for foreign buyers over the next decade.

March 21, 2026

Practical Guide · 6 min read · Audio

What Skills and Businesses Does Japan Need? A Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs

Japan faces its worst labor shortage in decades — with 118 job openings for every 100 seekers. From nursing to IT to rural guesthouses, here are the skills and small businesses the country desperately needs, and how foreigners can fill the gap.

March 19, 2026

Practical Guide · 15 min read · Audio

What is an Akiya? Japan's 9 Million Vacant Houses, Explained

An akiya (空き家) is a vacant or abandoned house in Japan. With 9 million sitting empty — 13.8% of all housing — they represent one of the most unusual real estate opportunities in the world. This is the complete guide: what akiya are, why they exist, what they cost, and how to buy one.

March 19, 2026

Market Analysis · 9 min read · Audio

Every English-Language Akiya Website Compared (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of every major English-language akiya website in 2026 — which has the most listings, the best search tools, and whether free options are worth it. Find the best akiya website for your Japan property search.

March 18, 2026