Following an Akiya & Inaka Buyer Journey When making an Akiya purchase our clients often ask us one thing consistently, “What will this project entail, and how much will it cost?” We are committed to helping our clients understand what we do every step of the way, so today we would like to walk you through an actual Akiya purchase case study. Step 1: Understanding Client Needs The story starts on the sandy beaches of the Chiba Prefecture. The client, an American, a long-term resident of Japan, wanted to be farther away from the big city of Tokyo, and closer to the beach. Upon engagement ..read more

Obtaining a business investor visa in Japan “I want to move to Japan!” We hear you, and we are here to help. That said, it isn’t that easy. One route to achieving this goal is through obtaining a business investor visa. In this blog, we will walk you through the steps, requirements, and benefits of acquiring this visa, enabling you to establish residency in Japan. As this question is frequently asked by our clients, in this blog we will lay out each of the steps in the process. One thing to remember is that non-residents of Japan can legally purchase Japanese real estate, but buying prop ..read more

The Inaka Lifestyle: 6 Joys of Living in the Japanese Countryside Japan might be the most famous for its bustling cities, cultural exports, and economic power, but an entirely different world awaits in the Japanese countryside. Residing in the Japanese countryside offers a unique experience that is rich in culture, nature, and a sense of community. As a part time resident myself, this is my guide to helping you understand the basics of embracing life in the Japanese countryside and how it can be a truly rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. 1. Embracing Nature Living in the Japanese countrysid ..read more

5 Things to Look for When Buying an Akiya in Japan Purchasing an akiya in Japan can be an exciting investment opportunity or a chance to fulfill your dream of owning a traditional Japanese property. However, it’s essential to approach this venture with caution and perform thorough due diligence. Here we outline five key factors to consider when buying an akiya in Japan, to ensure a successful and stress-free purchase. 1. Property condition The first thing to evaluate is the condition of the house. Vacant properties may have been unoccupied for a long time, leading to potential issues such as ..read more

Hello Featured on Beat Takeshi’s TV Tackle In Akiya & Inaka’s latest appearance on Japanese TV, we were featured on TV Asahi’s TV Tackle, a long-running show hosted by Beat Takeshi. The show highlights how the number of vacant houses has more than doubled over the past 30 years, with the amount increasing year after year throughout Japan. The show features how we started A&I in 2020 amidst the pandemic. The show looks back at the highlights of some of our previous TV appearance, and emphasizes how we identify homes that appeal to a global audience. There is also a cameo appearance by ..read more

The End of an Era, and onto the Next Adventure To our clients, fans, and colleagues, Today, co-founder Matt Ketchum announces his departure from Akiya & Inaka. First, a message from Matt to the Akiya & Inaka community: Over the past 3 years, working alongside Parker to build Akiya & Inaka has been an outstandingly inspiring journey. Together, we embarked on what many considered mission impossible: to meaningfully reshape the relationship between rural Japan and the world. That mission extended beyond mere financial motivations, and has, at its heart, always been one to support th ..read more

Featured on Australia’s SBS Dateline Akiya & Inaka made our Australian debut on SBS Dateline. Follow our journey traversing Chiba, Saitama, Gunma, and Nagano with Australia’s national broadcaster. And it’s not just us! SBS went out and interviewed Tokyo Llama, who kindly featured us previously on his popular YouTube channel, akiya owners, and Australians looking to purchase homes in rural Japan. If you’re looking for a comprehensive overview of Japan’s akiya issue, SBS did an excellent job of putting this program together. As a bonus, at the 20 minute mark there is a ¥5,000,000 prop ..read more

Onto the National Stage Nippon TV Picks Up the Hunt Nippon TV picked up what we’re throwing down! The nice folx at Mominoki in Minakami, Gunma recommended us to them, and they approached us about a show. We are best known among international audiences, but are getting more & more interest from domestic media. Akiya & Inaka is quickly becoming a leading service at the forefront of Japan’s empty house issue! On September 5, we were featured in a 10-minute segment on Nippon TV’s news every, a weekly news program that features breaking news and the latest trends. Watch the F ..read more

Kyoto Charm in a Repurposed Flower Shop Kyoto Is Changing Being a long-term resident of Tokyo, Kyoto has seemed almost off-limits. Pre–pandemic, Kyoto was extremely popular with domestic and global tourists alike, so it did not seem like a destination where one could enjoy a quiet time. Making matters worse, I first experienced Kyoto during my high school years with my mother, overwhelmed with a tight itinerary incompatible with my 16-year old self. My second experience in Kyoto was during peak tourist season in 2018. That cemented my feeling that it wasn’t possible to enjoy the cit ..read more