Japan is fresh, modern and traditional.

And. . . cheap?

This is what, to her surprise, Hannah Kirshner discovered.

We are talking about buying a property. The young American culinary and stylist has two homes in Yamanaka, a small spa city in Ishikawa prefecture in Japan.

Kirshner always had been interested in Japanese culture. In 2015, through her connection, she got an opportunity to have a three-month apprenticeship at a sake bar in Yamanaka.

Yamanaka’s nature in Yamanaka’s tied reminded his North Bend, Washington. In addition, the United Local Network made her feel comfortable. In 2018, he moved to the city to immerse himself completely in local culture. His exclusive experiences, such as running in a sake brewery and wooden trays carved with almost equitable old techniques, are summarized in his desirable electronic desire for water, wood and wild things.

While living in a rented apartment for the first few years, an old empty space nearby caught his eye. She took Kirshner a while to track down the owner who turned out to be her friend’s classmate at the best school.

He acquired this captivating century-old heritage for less than $20,000. The space came with a piece of land where he could only grow plants and vegetables.

In addition, he met with the owner of the small space next door and asked him to sell it to Kirshner. Kirshner received for $ 3,000.

Renowing its houses has been Kirshner’s artisanal project. Much of the paintings made them herself and continues to notice pieces of valuable history packaged in the house. For example, he noticed the Sake vessels, which were used for special events such as weddings and funerals. “It’s the legacy of the family,” he said.

It’s 2023. About 14% of all homes in Japan remain empty, many of which have Kirshner-like values.

Why are there so many great properties available at reasonable prices in Japan?

As in many other countries, depopulation outside the big cities is becoming an important factor in Japan and, as a result, empty houses are appearing throughout the country.

Empty houses are called Akiya in Japanese and there are 3 other categories of Akiya.

One is Kominka. There is no strict definition but generally speaking, Kominka (an old house) is a residential house over 50 years old with antique charms like the one Kirshner purchased.

An ancient space in Kominka, Japan.

The other is Machiya (a merchants’ house). Like Kominka, Machiya has a long history and ancient values, but it is basically located in historic cities such as Kyoto, Nara, and Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture for its original function.

The last category is composed of empty houses from Kmenka and Machiya.

These old houses are at risk. For example, according to a survey conducted through the city of Kyoto, there were 47,000 machiya in 2009. The number fell to around 40,000 in 2016, indicating that the city loses 1,000 of its year’s worth of buildings.

National and local governments have developed many systems to locate the smart use of old houses. Those of those systems are in Japanese, however, you can also locate lists in English such as Akiya Banks, Akiya and Inka and Casas Casas Japan.

Kirshner says, “It is important to understand that renovating and maintaining these vintage houses can be very expensive.”

A machiya in Kyoto.

Japan has many benefits, such as a living position. The country has one of the most productive healthcare systems in the world, transportation links right right with precise operations, low crime, history, and culture, not to mention delicious food.

And surprisingly, contrary to the widely circulated image, the cost of living in Japan is much less expensive than in the United States, especially when it comes to food and housing.

However, for Kirshner, the maximum component of life in Japan is the quality of life.

“I love the feeling of being part of the community. Most of my neighbors are much older than me and don’t speak English, but I know they’re looking for me,” she says.

“Remember that when you buy a home, you don’t just get a property. You sign up for a community.

To be an intelligent neighbor, Kirshner arrives completely in activities, such as attending network arrangement meetings, helping neighbors and volunteer in the neighborhood.

Her effort is truly worth it.

“Rural Japan would possibly seem very closed because everything is based on relationships and trust. But once you have the trust of some people, all those doors open. “He accepts as true with you, so I also accept as true with you,” is how things are painted here.

Keep in mind that you want to live in Japan, even if you own a home. “Anyone can buy assets in Japan, however, they must have the right to stay there,” says Kirshner, who has an artist visa. You can locate main points on many English language websites.

Kirshner renews his house in Kmenka.

When Kirshner bought the property, she will live temporarily in the small smaller space until the renewal of the main space was completed. But the plan has changed, expanded and enriched.

“Now I’m so comfortable living in the small area that I call it home and make the main area exclusively a kitchen studio. It will be an area for a culinary retreat, workshops and online occasions to showcase Yamanaka’s rich food culture. »

Her goal is not only to showcase the local food culture and outside visitors. “I would like to create a link between the younger and the older generations too. My kitchen studio will be a place to connect everybody, like local grandmothers teaching young foreign visitors how to cook.”

Kirshner is the only one to live in Kmenka and build a new life in Japan

If thinking about withdrawing or placing a virtual nomad in an intelligent place, Japan would possibly be an attractive option to consider.

A renovated room at Kirshner’s Komika.

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