Because of the shrinking population and internal migration, Japan has millions of unoccupied houses in rural areas. But thanks to the low prices and the lack of restrictions on foreigners ...

Abandoned houses are known in Japan as “akiya” – a term that usually refers to derelict residential homes tucked away in rural areas. But more akiya are being seen in major cities ...

In 2023, the designer and his partner arrived in Higashiyoshino, Nara for a holiday. They’ve since put down permanent roots ...

Rural towns are offering grants to new and returning residents in hopes of reviving abandoned homes, as young people move to ...

In Chiba, a quiet revival is taking shape, where creatives are reimagining Japan’s forgotten kominka — traditional folk homes — inviting people to slow down, reconnect with the land and question what ...

“Convenience wins out with Japanese people, so they are not going to buy them. You might make money from selling to foreigners, or you could make money by doing Airbnb.” Rural homes can be ...

As Japan's population shrinks, rural areas are facing a problem ― too many empty houses. An American fan of Japanese architecture is stepping in to preserve old homes, even if it means shipping ...

Abandoned homes, some so dilapidated that they pose a danger, are increasingly dotting Japan’s landscape, and not just in rural areas. The government is trying to address this problem ...