Top 5 Places to Find Akiya Houses for Sale in Japan

There are a lot of akiya houses in Japan. Purchasing one is a huge milestone. If you want to live in an akiya home, you need to consider where in Japan you want to move.

Even if you are not planning to live there because you plan to use it as a vacation home or as an Airbnb, narrowing down the akiya house location will help you in your search.

Where can I look for akiya houses for sale in Japan?

The simplest place to find akiya houses is online through akiya banks. 

Akiya banks are databases for vacant or abandoned homes throughout Japan. Their owners or local governments list these properties for sale or for free or for sale.

You can search by area by inputting “[location]空家” into your search engine.

There are also specialized real estate agencies that will look into akiya houses for you.

Why should I live in rural Japan?

Many akiya houses in Japan are far from major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. But don't let that stop you.

There are plenty of akiya for sale around Tokyo and other major Japanese cities. While far away, you can still take public transportation into the city.

There are financial benefits to moving and living in rural areas in Japan as local rural governments have plenty of subsidized programs to help with the following.

1. Migration funds

Some prefectures have support funds/grants to help individuals and families to relocate to rural Japan.

These grants often include helping with housing subsidies or grants, covering utilities and groceries during your settlement period, and employment opportunities and training to help you find a job.

2. Childcare support

Many municipalities provide childcare support, such as subsidies for children's medical expenses and even birthday gifts.

Support will also include helping with educational fees, such as subsidies for daycare or school-related costs.

3. Housing renovation subsidies

Since many local governments support akiya banks, it makes sense for them to help with the akiya renovations. 

This financial incentive is to encourage property owners to renovate these akiya houses. While it may not cover all the expenses for a completely new modern Japanese house, it does help to get your akiya house up and running such as cleaning up and setting up utilities.

4. Let MailMate help you understand your Japanese mail

These incentives are amazing for anyone looking for a new change or for those who need a helping hand. However, most of the information you will find will be in Japanese.

So let MailMate streamline these processes and help you set up your akiya with MailMate’s Akiya & Vacation Home Package.

a. Virtual mailbox with easy mail management

MailMate is a virtual mailbox service that allows you to manage all mail and documents online. The best part is that MailMate will translate all your Japanese if needed to understand tax notifications, utility bills, and local government notices.

Their bilingual support staff, fluent in English and Japanese, will ensure clear communication and accurate translation and handle any correspondence effectively, such as paying your bills.

b. Liaison services

Communicating in Japanese can be stressful, but that shouldn't stop you from scheduling important maintenance and services on your property. 

Here’s where MailMate comes in. Let us know what services you want on your property, such as utility set-up, internet setup, regular cleaning, yard work, etc., and we will schedule them for you.

We will give you the information, such as the date and whether you need to be there in person.  

c. Tax agent service

Owning property in Japan means you will be responsible for all related tax compliance to your property.

Not paying your taxes will result in late fees and possible seizure and sale of your assets. To avoid such occurrences, especially if you are abroad or away from your property for a long time, make MailMate your tax agent. 

All tax-related information will be sent to MailMate and scanned into your dashboard. Here, you can request that we handle the necessary paperwork so your taxes will be paid on time.

5 best places to find akiya houses for sale in Japan

Consider these 5 places in Japan if you are looking for an akiya.

1. Shizuoka

Shizuoka is a popular place to search for akiya houses for sale.

The central city center is Shizuoka City, but there’s also Hamamatsu City. Both are the perfect mix of city and nature, with the mountains and ocean nearby. So it's great for exploring, swimming, fishing, and hiking.

Plus, Shizuoka is close to Tokyo because it's a 2-hour Shinkansen ride. So, even though there aren’t many akiya houses for sale in Tokyo, Shizuoka is your best fit in terms of its location and what it offers.

The Shizuoka government is working hard to offer various migration, employment, and life support to have a higher quality of life.

2. Nagano

While Nagano is not on everyone’s top list to visit or live in Japan, it is the perfect place to find an akiya house.

Nagano has many abandoned homes with plenty of supportive systems to help transition into a more country lifestyle.

Specifically, the Miyata Village in the Nagano Prefecture offers a tranquil and idyllic setting.

Nagano’s stunning natural landscapes, including the Japanese Alps and rural scenery, help its apparel as a desirable place to live for those looking to get away from the city.

3. Fukuoka 

While it might be difficult to find an akiya for sale in central cities such as Fukuoka City and Kitaskyushu City, there are plenty of of them in its country and rural areas.

It’s public transportation isn’t too bad as well. If your akiya is near a translation or bus stop, you can get in and out of the city within an hour or two.

With moderate rainfall, mild winters, and an average of 17.7 degrees Celsius year-round, it's a compelling option for those wanting to move into a smaller city. One of Fukuoka’s best features is its warm hospitality, fresh ingredients, and local delicacies.

The prefecture and its local government provide migration facilities to help individuals and families permanently move there. For example, Kitakyushu City has a rental housing program where it can subsidize up to 20% of rent costs.

4. Yamanashi 

Despite being close to Tokyo, Yamanashi is an interesting choice to live and buy an akiya house here.

The prefecture is known for its lush greenery and majestic mountains, including views of Mt. Fuji, the Southern Alps, and Mt. Yatsugatake. Despite not being next to the ocean, there is plenty of fresh spring water, and its fertile land is perfect for planting and farming.

To help its inner entrepreneurship and economic development, Yamanashi has a support fund for up to 2 million yen for expenses. Additionally, the prefecture's immigration support program has financial assistance for up to 1 million yen per household to help those relocating to Yamanashi.

But their support does not stop there. Yamanashi helps those wanting to get married with their matchmaking system for one-on-one introductions.

Yamanashi is a unique environment for those wanting a new life in Japan.

5. Gunma 

Gunma is becoming popular when searching for an akiya for sale with a more rural lifestyle.

Right above Saitama, Gunma is known for a "dual base living" lifestyle, which is perfect for those wanting city amenities with countryside charm.

Gunma is known for the famous Kusatsu Onsen, but it also has plenty of leisure activities, such as skiing and paragliding.

Gunma stands out from the rest because of its affordability, as it is one of the lower living expenses in Japan, including rent and land costs. This affordability makes Gunma a smart financial option.

Their support system is great for anyone, including newcomers. They even have an online consultation service to help those relocating to their area. Plus, the Gunma prefectural government will offer up to 1 million yen per household to help with the move.

Additionally, Gunma has many supports for families, such as free childcare and waived fees to help ease the financial burden for families with multiple children, and subsidies and grants for housing renovations.

Gunma’s comprehensive support systems will welcome those looking for a new home and life.

Frequently asked questions

Are there akiya houses for sale in Tokyo?

There are very few places in Tokyo with akiya houses for sale. However, many nearby prefectures, such as Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa, will have plenty of akiya houses for sale. From any of these locations, it can take 1-2 hours to get to Tokyo depending on your mode of transportation.

In closing

Many places offer plenty of akiya houses for sale in Japan for individuals and families to start a new life. While the majority of these places are in rural Japan, its natural landscapes, picturesque mountains, and amazing support system will help those with the move.