The akiya dream vs. the reality

One of my dreams is buying an old charming house with a sprawling garden here, and I often find myself scoping out Instagram accounts like @cheaphousesjapan to get inspiration. However, apparently it's not the best idea…or at least not according to some people.

Scroll through any akiya listing and I think it's easy to see the appeal. The prices are so reasonable to houses in my home country, the homes have character, and there's also something super satisfying about restoring a place that's been sitting empty. I think it's probably a pretty a common expat fantasy, but a recent survey by AlbaLink Co., Ltd. adds a bit of reality to that picture.

I am fairly addicted to scoping out the @cheaphousesjapan Instagram account...

The survey asked 500 people across Japan how they feel about properties that are more than 40 years old, and on paper, the outlook seems fairly open-minded. About 66% said living in an older home is acceptable, although only 10.8% said they would actively choose one. Most people sit in the middle, saying it depends on the condition.

The hesitation mostly comes down to safety and comfort. Earthquake resistance was the biggest concern, raised by 46% of respondents, and I think that makes sense given how much building standards have changed over time. For expats, it can also be hard to judge what's structurally sound without professional advice, and navigating that in a language that isn't your first one can likely be a bit tricky. 

Other concerns are a bit more practical. Wear and tear on the building itself, aging pipes, poor insulation, and outdated kitchens and bathrooms all featured prominently, and anyone who's lived in an older place in Japan will recognize some of these. Things like cold winters with non-existent insulation wakes you up pretty quickly!

What makes people more comfortable with older homes is fairly straightforward. Renos came out on top, with more than half saying they would consider a place if it'd been properly updated. Also, improvements to plumbing, insulation, and earthquake resistance make a noticeable difference, and clear maintenance records also help build trust.

Would you buy an older house here in Japan, or do some of the concerns people outlined put you off the idea?