Historic Japanese Home with Traditional Features Available for Just 100 Yen
This unique property, located in Nakasaigo, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of traditional Japanese architecture for the symbolic price of 100 yen. The two-story, 6DK wooden house, built 53 years ago, spans approximately 88.73 square meters and sits on a 204-square-meter plot. The home is notable for its well-preserved interior, featuring classic elements like a sunken kotatsu (a traditional heated table), a veranda (engawa) with excellent sunlight, and a bath made of fragrant hinoki cypress wood. The tatami rooms include closets with beautiful fusuma sliding door paintings, and the kitchen-dining area is spacious with ample storage.
Critical notes from the agent highlight several important conditions. The property is sold with a land leasehold right (借地権付き), requiring a monthly ground rent of 20,000 yen for a 30-year lease term. Registration fees are the buyer's responsibility. The sale is 'as-is' with no warranty. Crucially, the property is not connected to the sewer system. While the kitchen water drains, its destination is unknown and requires investigation. The toilet is currently unusable; a new combined septic tank is on-site but needs installation. The gas water heater has been serviced but its operational status is unconfirmed. There is no parking space. The property is for building-only purchase.
The Nakasaigo area provides a quiet, semi-rural setting with views over fruit orchards. An interesting local fact is that Gifu City is historically famous for its cormorant fishing (ukai) on the Nagara River, a practice designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. The closest major tourist attraction is the historic Gifu Castle, perched atop Mount Kinka, approximately a 30-minute drive from the property. This iconic fortress offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Nobi Plain.