Buying Renovating Japanese Abandoned Houses - One Big Issue

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 42

  • @ecoriderLNT
    @ecoriderLNT ปีที่แล้ว +13

    As someone who has spent the last 20 years designing seismic resistant homes, I appreciate your public service announcement. Just because a structure is standing, doesn't mean that it is structurally sound. Water or insect damage can greatly impact the integrity of a wood structure.

  • @OnlyOneNights
    @OnlyOneNights ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I've watched a fair amount of those videos and you're absolutely spot on. That subject is simply not brought up. I believe I've seen ONE video where they mentioned that securing the foundation and reinforcing/replacing the main support beams in order to get them to pass 'code' which included a level of ability to withstand earthquakes was a massive headache and an even larger financial drain. That was the only one.
    They went into further detail stating that facet alone was pricey enough to make most people walk away, however, I believe the wife of the couple was absolutely set on that particular home and the couple decided to stick it out. But they reiterated that it was very expensive, almost to the point of almost completely negating the whole 'it's a cheap home' allure.
    I don't know if this applies to this scenario, but I've often heard that many content creators in Japan like to avoid 'bad news', 'realities of tough situations', or the 'downsides' because they fear that Japan seeking audiences simply want feel good, puff pieces. Unless the videos are about salacious and seedy myths and provocative activities. The hardships of everyday life and revealing that Japan is not a cure all or utopia simply doesn't interest them. OR...I could be completely wrong about that.
    Your video gets to the nitty gritty, and serious people want those details. It's really cool that you've brought that issue to light. Clearly, it's not spoken about enough.
    I've also heard that the vast majority of Japan content is made for people who will never step foot into the country, so maybe that's why the creators lean into the one dimensional representations, very little bad news, and cake videos. Who knows.

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Your description sounds accurate for why my channel gets little traction. Not many people are interested in Japan beyond a romanticised facade. Yes, I do point out some of the 'dirty truths' here and there, but I think the majority of my videos are on positive things I love or find interesting about living here. Even so, the audience for that level of detail is small, as you say, most will at most visit for a short time or never come here at all, so you would have to be a true Japanophile to be interested in what I talk about.
      But that, for me, makes this all pretty rewarding because I have a small group of dedicated viewers like yourself who are genuinely interested in knowing more about Japan. I appreciate that greatly.

  • @vareast
    @vareast 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    You don't mention that fact that the building codes for earthquake safety were upgraded in the early 80s and 90s, so a 40-year-old house should have decent earthquake resistance. I was worried about the house I was living in on 3/11, which was a tall mid-1990s, open-plan house (100 meters from the Pacific Ocean in Chiba), but it did brilliantly. The ones to be careful of are those older houses that have the heavy roof tiles (and weak walls). I previously lived in a 100-year-old house in Tokyo that survived the 1923 quake. That was kind of reassuring...

  • @NekoAshiJapan
    @NekoAshiJapan ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great video. You raise a very good point. Last year we purchased a kominka built in 1868. While the fact that it is still standing after 150+ years and in an area with relatively low history of seismic activity, our next project is to rip up all the floorboards and ceiling panels, check the integrity of all supporting posts and replace/ reinforce with the guidance of local specialist contractor. We will perform this restoration over time to spread the cost out, as we are no rush to live permanently in the house. I've experienced smaller earthquakes while living in Tokyo - even those are seared into my brain as terrifying experiences.

  • @bobbinsthethird
    @bobbinsthethird ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What about Insurance?
    I know insurance works for one person's house burning down, but it tends not to work when an entire village is razed.
    Do you know of people who got their house destroyed by 3/11, who got a lump sum of money and were able to start fresh?

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      We were required to buy earthquake insurance as part of the home buying process. I believe this is standard for everyone, at least if you are using a home loan. If you pay cash up front and don't have a loan, maybe it isn't required? I honestly don't know the answer to that. Earthquake insurance is separate from fire insurance - fire insurance is also required. Fires caused by earthquakes are not covered by fire insurance, apparently, so having both is important.
      As for what happened after 3/11, I presume those with earthquake insurance got paid. That said, if your home was swept away by the tsunami...the unfortunate truth is not many had any sort of insurance covering that....

  • @bobcearns5220
    @bobcearns5220 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thanks for your thoughts. Not something in my future but my daughter is definitely considering buying in Japan and your information will surely be part of the calculation.

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      There are a lot of videos with good information out there about the process of buying and renovating, but there also seems to be an "ignorance is bliss" idea - I believe it is due to people coming from not-Earthquake countries. Japanese people don't buy these old houses for that very reason - they expect earthquakes to happen.

  • @neurodivajewelz
    @neurodivajewelz 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I've watched many, and only a couple have brought up about the earthquake. One vlogger had said that the roofs of the houses are very heavy with the ceramic tiles, and the way to at least help survive through a major earthquake (or at least help the likelihood) is to build more walls or replace the roof with a lighter material. It's the weight of the tiles on the roof that cause the house to fall apart. As you mentioned, that can be costly, however, those of you who have experience in building walls, or go the route of replacing the roof, and prepare extra things to give support to a house, I think you'll be ok. Just remember, the larger the house, the harder it may be to prevent collapse, because more tiles on the roof.

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      This was famously a big issue in the Kobe earthquake in 1995. Many of the houses there had those heavy roof tiles to protect the house from the typhoons.

    • @tsi4service
      @tsi4service 7 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@Exjaptermetal roofs are lighter and more reliable long term. My perspective is Australian and always prefer metal roofs. So much lighter and holds the roof frames together 🧐👍

  • @t1nt0p
    @t1nt0p 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I was living in Tokyo for that earthquake, and that has not swayed me in my decision to find an old akiya (traditional style ~100yr old). Granted I am looking in a less seismically active area, but that is just one of the things you just accept. To me its the same as someone living where any disasters are prone, rural WA/CA where forest fires ravage every year, the midwest where tornados spawn randomly, along the gulf coast where hurricanes travel every year.

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes, sometimes you just have to make peace with the fact that Japan isn't a 'safe' country due to natural disasters. It is a founding part of the country's psyche after all...

  • @JulianPasto
    @JulianPasto 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    While I have thought about earthquakes when shopping around I think your video has a great perspective and is pretty good. Still planning on buying an akiya though

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I hope I can find the right one in the mountains of Nagano as a retirement escape, so I am not immune to the allure either.

  • @zhen9907
    @zhen9907 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Im looking to buy budget house ...akiya was on the list .. for cool retirement.. I have thought of the frequent earthquake japan has ( is it scary but if ppls in japan can overcome it .. why not i try also😂)

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It is an important consideration.

  • @astilachae713
    @astilachae713 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you for this public service announcement, Paul. I moved to the countryside in Yamaguchi to teach English. I love it here! Like you, I dreamed of having an traditional style Japanese home and refurbishing it. I knew there would be some costs but I had no idea about the post war era construction! I naively thought, that because Japanese know this nation is prone to earthquakes, that they constructed all homes with this in mind. So sadly my akiya dream will remain just a dream for now. I'll just get a modern house instead 😊

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  ปีที่แล้ว

      It isn't commonly known, so I think it is important to know that most construction 1950s to early 2000s has a lot of issues. Thank you for watching!

  • @chanazify
    @chanazify 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Is there more to know ? Please

  • @michaelscoble8498
    @michaelscoble8498 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’ve only seen or read a couple of folks talking about earthquake resistance with akiya. I lived in Japan for a number of years and through a number of earthquakes and have exactly the same concerns with certain types of houses. I did want to go the Akiya route but the challenge is large and prices for older houses are extremely reasonable compared to houses in other developed countries. Currently I am leaning towards kominka or new construction when I return to Japan. The really difficult part has little to do with the house however, it is jobs. Beautiful countryside homes are great but if there are no jobs nearby… well, that might be an issue… ;)

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  ปีที่แล้ว

      Very true about jobs. It's the reason why the kids have all left. If I win the takarakuji I'll buy a kominka. I have read and watched some wonderful stories of restoration and those old houses are magnificent.

  • @richardsiow9027
    @richardsiow9027 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you for your video. Yes I have considered a move to Japan from Singapore and at first, never considered earthquakes. It does put the perspective of an earthquake happening, on a property very scary. Especially so as Singapore have never had an earthquake and is protected by the neighbouring countries from a Tsunami. Your video is appreciated

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for the comment. Where I am from, thunderstorms and tornados are the only common natural disaster. Japan is on another level. I love Singapore, btw.

  • @cetriyasArtnComicsChannel
    @cetriyasArtnComicsChannel ปีที่แล้ว

    Maybe cause im a homeowner my self, i know whst to look for. Once i heard just how much it cose just to trash things.... so far rachel and jun talkex why they went new, sundai decided on an olc townhouse in kyoto, and a few others including a japanese realtor talked that the good akiya arent cheap or have back taxes or there just isnt much craftmen left that even know how to refurbish.
    If i had money, id just build a new house with stylings of an akiya or machia. Just a look

  • @zmanthemercenary5378
    @zmanthemercenary5378 ปีที่แล้ว

    As someone who is planning to live in Japan at some point, I never thought of this. Not big into refurbishing, and we ran some preliminary numbers for an Akita. Would it likely be better to buy a condo in Saitama?

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  ปีที่แล้ว

      I don't know much about condos to be honest. Why Saitama in particular? I do think they have lots of condos there due to it being a convenient "bedroom community" for people working in Tokyo.

    • @zmanthemercenary5378
      @zmanthemercenary5378 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Exjapterfamily is there.

  • @mrecamping5496
    @mrecamping5496 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Just got hit by the 7.1 quake in Miyazaki. I haven’t heard of any insurance companies that would cover earthquakes so you’re on your own if you do get hit by a bad one. I’m planning on getting a small one story Akiya and renovating it. I’m hoping the smaller size will reduce the reconstruction cost after the next quake. I’m also hoping the fact it is smaller and single story will reduce the danger of major injuries during the next one. Unfortunately my wife and I don’t have a the 200+ thousand dollars to drop on construction of a new home and if the mega-quake they do predict will hit, I’m not sure it will make a huge difference on safety and damage if a new house is designed to withstand up to an 8.0 magnitude earthquake gets hit by anything over that. Not to mention the bigger the house the more money we have to spend to repair it due to there being no insurance coverage. 😅

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      One thing that helps is to try and learn about the land that an akiya sits on. The types of and layers of rock there make a big difference. We were told withstanding a quake is 70% the land and 30% the build tech.

  • @dhylonwolfwood8674
    @dhylonwolfwood8674 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm planning to buy an akiya but in the back of head it always tell me that I should consider the next major earthquake. I hope you make a video about the cheap concrete apartment in Japan because I'm planning to buy a property. Thank you 😊

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Haven't considered that, but I will now.

  • @SwissTanuki
    @SwissTanuki 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    If you watch Tokyo Llama, you start to understand how much work and money he put into. I admire him for it but never could do the same.

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Exactly - if you have a true passion for it and put all the work in, more power to you. That's....not me though, lol.

  • @willyslaps
    @willyslaps 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Another thing that I haven’t seen mentioned is the difficulty in selling the property in the future and the potential inheritance taxes should the worst happen and your kids inherit the house. Maybe it wouldn’t make good content for them, or they expect it to be the buyer’s responsibility to think of these things ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. However, the way many channels promoting Akiya (and the vloggers’ personal Akiya buying ‘consulting’ businesses) make it all sound like strawberries and cream with no downsides, just cheap houses for all!

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      A very good point. Probably have to find another foreigner to sell your akiya to. So few Japanese have any interest.

  • @militogonzales7829
    @militogonzales7829 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    u have to pay at least 10k to renovate old toilet to western style there is no free houses ,

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Indeed. For people who are handy and can do a lot of work themselves, it might make sense, but you're still going to have to pay contractors for some things, especially to be up to legal codes.

  • @ernestpollard4983
    @ernestpollard4983 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Weak, these houses have already been thru multiple earth quakes

    • @Exjapter
      @Exjapter  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Sure, Japan has earthquakes every day. But they don't have big ones every day. That is the worry - not the occasional 4 or 5, but the 8 or 9 when it eventually comes. You can see in the aftermath of the Tohoku quake in 2011 that old houses fell down and modern one's might have been damaged but didn't collapse.