Shu Matsuo Post

A low listing price on a Japanese akiya doesn't always tell the full story. 🏚️⚠️

Under Japan's Building Standards Act, a house can be standing, but if the property lacks qualifying road frontage, you might legally be prohibited from ever rebuilding it.

Learn more about it here:
akiyahub.com/articles/akiya-rebuildable-road-acces…

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11 hours ago | [YT] | 31

Shu Matsuo Post

What if your backyard looked like a luxury island getaway, but the housing cost way less than the major cities? 🌊🏠

There’s a place in Japan where you can get "Maldives-level" views right in your backyard for a fraction of the cost. We're exploring Yamaguchi to show you what life, and housing, looks like out here.

New episode out now! Would you trade city life for a view like this?

2 days ago | [YT] | 82

Shu Matsuo Post

That low-priced Japanese akiya listing might look like a total dream, but photos alone don't reveal the whole story! 🏚️⚠️

Rebuildability rules, such as road access requirements, can legally stop you from rebuilding if the current structure becomes unusable. Make sure you know what to check before falling in love with a cheap price tag.

Read more about it here: akiyahub.com/application/articles/akiya-due-dilige…

What property issue would be the biggest dealbreaker for you?

2 days ago | [YT] | 40

Shu Matsuo Post

Enjoying daily sea views and natural hot springs while keeping Tokyo under an hour away sounds like a dream, but local terrain changes everything. 🌊🚅

Atami offers natural hot springs and a 40- to 50-minute Shinkansen commute to Tokyo, but navigating the town requires evaluating terrain over proximity.

Discover why a property's elevation matters just as much as its distance to the station: akiyahub.com/articles/local-area-guide-atami-shizu…

3 days ago | [YT] | 111

Shu Matsuo Post

A working kitchen or bathroom in a rural Japanese home does not always mean the property is ready for immediate use. 🏡🔧

From private wells to decentralized jokaso wastewater systems, rural utilities require a deep dive into maintenance history and capacity before you commit.

Discover why checking a property's exact utility setup is the ultimate step in rural due diligence here:
akiyahub.com/application/articles/rural-akiya-util…

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4 days ago | [YT] | 63

Shu Matsuo Post

What if your backyard looked like a luxury island getaway, but the housing cost way less than the major cities? 🌊🏠

There’s a place in Japan where you can get "Maldives-level" views right in your backyard for a fraction of the cost. We're exploring Yamaguchi to show you what life, and housing, looks like out here.

New episode out now! Would you trade city life for a view like this?

6 days ago | [YT] | 97

Shu Matsuo Post

Looking for direct Tokyo access without paying central-city prices? 🚆🏠

Saitama City offers a practical alternative, balancing 30-minute train commutes into Tokyo with spacious suburban neighborhoods and high resident satisfaction.

Discover how Saitama City gives buyers a critical choice between high-density station convenience and spacious outer wards:
akiyahub.com/articles/local-area-guide-saitama-cit…

6 days ago | [YT] | 67

Shu Matsuo Post

A low listing price on a Japanese akiya can hide a critical question: is the house cheap because of its condition, or a disaster risk you haven’t found yet? 🏠⚠️

Listing photos rarely show whether a home sits beside a flood-prone river, below an unstable slope, or on an access route that becomes blocked in a storm. Before you get attached to a property, learning how to read hazard risks and understanding the real difference between yellow and red landslide zones is essential to protecting your investment.

Read more about it here:
akiyahub.com/articles/japan-hazard-maps-akiya

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1 week ago | [YT] | 67

Shu Matsuo Post

What happens when you buy a house in Japan without seeing it in person first? 🚪🗝️

Today, I’m out in Funabashi catching up with Jessie and Tam. They took the leap and purchased their Japanese home all the way from the U.S. We’re taking a full walkthrough of the property to see if the real thing actually matched what they saw on paper.

The walkthrough and full interview out now. Would you ever buy a home sight unseen?

1 week ago | [YT] | 108

Shu Matsuo Post

Buying an akiya house in Japan involves more than just the eye-catching listing price. 🏡💰

Realistically, buyers should expect to budget beyond the base cost to cover critical purchase-related expenses like taxes, insurance, and setup fees.

Learn all about it here: akiyahub.com/articles/akiya-house-japan-costs-proc…

What unexpected akiya expense would you budget for first?

1 week ago | [YT] | 26