$0 houses in Japan: What to know before you buy
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Overgrown foliage engulfs vacant Japanese homes in north Tokyo’s Komagome neighbourhood, a stark symbol of akiya.
PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
- Japan has millions of vacant akiya homes, and some are free or very cheap. Foreigners, including Singaporeans, can buy them without Japanese residency.
- Demand from Singaporeans has risen because of Japan’s weak yen, open property rules and rental income hopes.
- Buyers must watch for hidden costs and risks. Old homes may need repairs, inspections, taxes and demolition work.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – In the Land of the Rising Sun, cherry blossoms bloom, matcha flows – and millions of vacant homes sit waiting for new owners.
Known as akiya, these abandoned or unoccupied properties are often traditional wooden houses in Japan’s rural and less-populated areas.