Japan’s akiya (abandoned house) transformed into luxury Airbnb

Anton Wormann, 32, moved to Japan in October 2018.

Courtesy of Anton Warman

Anton Wormann, 32, has always been passionate about DIY projects and creating beautiful spaces. So when he found his neighbor’s property abandoned, he decided to buy it and bring it back to life.

Warman inspected and found that the property had been vacant for about 10 years after the elderly owner passed away.

The property is one of nine million “akiyas” (vacant houses) across Japan, according to the official government data Until 2023.

While many countries face a housing shortage, Japan faces a very different situation – an oversupply problem.

From bustling cities to beautiful, lush countryside, these abandoned properties can be found across Japan, and the best part is – they’re selling for as little as $10,000 each.

abandoned house in japan

Japan’s unprecedented demographic crisis has left millions of homes vacant. The country’s population continues to As the fertility rate drops to record low As of 2023, there will be 1.2 births per woman.

At the same time, Japan’s elderly population is growing rapidly. It is expected that by 2024, people aged 65 and above will account for about 30% of the country’s total population. data.

mortality rate have surpassed birth rate Contribute to abandoned properties in Japan. Some, like Warman, see this trend as an opportunity to buy real estate on the cheap and try to save some beautiful Japanese buildings from loss.

The discovery of “childhood”

Wolman, who grew up in Sweden and lived in major cities such as Paris, London, Milan and New York for nearly a decade, fell in love with Japan during a business trip in 2015.

After that visit, Wollman made it clear that he would return to the Asian country every year. “Every time I leave, I feel like I’m not ready to leave,” he said. He was in awe of the beautiful scenery, delicious food and culture.

“I really want to stay here and spend more time. I really can’t describe it in words, but it has always been with me.” So, in October 2018, he decided to move to Japan.

As Warman became more familiar with Japanese culture and language, he saw a huge opportunity to purchase “autumn houses,” renovate them and turn them into beautiful short-term rental properties.

“I had read a few articles about it… and it fascinated me, but I never really understood what a big problem it was and what a big opportunity it was for me until I actually moved here and learned Japanese and got integrated into society,” he said.

As a child, Wolman would explore ideas with his father to renovate old homes they came across and has always been interested in such projects. He already had experience renovating several properties in Sweden and Japan before discovering his neighbor’s house.

“It takes time to create something beautiful…and it becomes something that no one else can replicate,” he said. “Like creating something really, really good that makes you feel really proud – that makes me really happy.”

decoration process

After discovering the vacant home next door, Warman enlisted the help of neighbors to connect with the homeowner’s children.

Warman bought the 86-year-old property for about 8 million yen (about $54,000), not including closing costs and fees, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.

Before starting the demolition process, Warman had to clear out the old items.

Courtesy of Anton Wurman.

The property still contains belongings from previous residents, which is common among abandoned properties in Japan. The house was infested with termites and required major structural upgrades.

“I was definitely shocked… and I’d only seen it from the outside, so I could only imagine what it looked like from the inside,” he said. “I thought it would be clean, empty (and) small, but that’s not the case.”

“There’s a lot of uncertainty, but I like the location, I like the sunlight, I like the size of it, and if you put those things in place, there’s nothing you can’t really fix,” he said.

Wollman spent 15 months renovating the property.

Anton Wormann spent more than 1,000 hours renovating a $55,000 akiya property in Tokyo.

Courtesy of Anton Wurman.

“When doing renovations in Tokyo, the land is very narrow, so you have to dismantle a piece and throw it away as you go, because if you don’t do that, the renovation can’t happen,” he said.

“So tear it down, rent a car, take it to the dump and come back,” a constant rinse and repeat throughout the months-long process.

The renovation of the derelict property took 15 months to complete.

Courtesy of Anton Wurman.

The design choices for the home “were developed over time,” he said. “You can feel where and how you want things done. You can feel the sunlight. You can feel the space… What can you save from the original details?”

“All these little choices come from spending thousands of hours in that house,” he said.

Wollman spent a total of about 1,500 hours building the house over about a year. “It took over my heart. I lived in that house for a year,” he said, saying he spent a total of another 8 million yen (about $54,000) on renovations.

In total, approximately $110,000 was spent to purchase and renovate the property. It has now become a popular choice among tourists visiting Tokyo, with a nightly price of around $500 Airbnb. It brings in about $11,000 in monthly rental income, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.

The design choices for Warman Tokyo Autumn House were made over the course of several months of construction.

Courtesy of Anton Wurman.

Passion project turns into business

What started as a passion project for Warman is now turning into a viable business. The 32-year-old now owns eight properties in Japan, seven of which were once abandoned houses. He has completed renovations on three of the properties and is currently renovating four more.

Inside the restaurant after completion of Anton Wormann’s akiya property.

Courtesy of Anton Warman

With a lot of love and effort, these abandoned homes, considered by some to be “old” and dilapidated, can be revitalized and become beautiful again, Warman said.

“(Japan) has dying villages…I think, from a cultural perspective, there are a lot of beautiful houses that are going to be wasted.”

“It’s interesting but also a little sad that a lot of things that used to thrive 30, 35, 40 years ago are now abandoned and forgotten,” he said. “But you can save them, you can salvage them,” he said explain.

Want to take control of your money this fall? Sign up for CNBC’s new online course. We’ll teach you practical strategies to slash your budget, reduce debt, and grow wealth. Start feeling more confident and successful today. Use code EARLYBIRD for a 30% introductory discount, now extended through September 30, 2024, just in time for back-to-school season.