They discuss ways to bring classic houses into modern age while retaining traditional charm, the joys of mixing new technologies and ancient art, and examples of how Alex’s 40+ projects since 1970s have come together as “positive public works“.
As well, they check out a city-block-sized Akiya and quick peeks at two other renovated guest houses, a kura turned restaurant, and another reservation-only country restaurant run by former Chiiori foundation staff.
4 pack of old, new, new to me / Japan, America, Jazz
4 books by post from Infinity Book’s ∞, Tokyo. Alex Kerr, author of two of these, it’s going to be an event later this month… Yes, I’m planning on leaving the house in subsequent months. Started into Dogs and Demons and it’s really exposing colossal buzz kill of modern Japan… {I have to be careful about what I process because I’ve chosen to live here forever, and certainly know that everywhere has its faults but have to take honesty and reality in small doses}.
The F Scott Fitzgerald is a beauty little edition as well. And so many of my friends freaking love (&/or in one case are pals with) Neil Gaiman so getting on board. Thanks Kat C for encouragement.
“Spy book” – I am already suspicious (is it strange to get to know somewhat embarrassed to be sharing this?) and Japan from the long timer
2 more books arrived, not my usual type maybe but, i enjoy Robert Whiting’s nostalgic-without-being-sentimental gazes at Japan and want to support his diligence + i like “spy craft” but without cheese and violence so curious if former agent’s nom de plume is logistically accurate and, if it’s about “running as in managing agents in the field” rather than an “agent running rogue in the field” as the former is much more interesting to me. (Am i a snob to say I’m *almost embarrassed* to show this?) No answer required.
Jack, Neal, Allen – all in one mighty tome
Also in the bedside stack: Reading first editions in bed. After all, books are for reading as well as collecting, sharing (and sometimes accidentally using it as a place to set coffee #NotRecommended). Nice to see a book by Jack Kerouac about Neal Cassady (Cody Pomeroy) with forward by Allen Ginsberg – quite a trifecta.
an Akiya (abandoned) building (former post office?) with a splendid postbox – taken from one of many sites i’ve dug around, sorry can’t remember which one… so many! if this is your photo, please tell me and i’ll add credit.
+ Cheap Houses Abound in Japan +
memo: have resources to add/ recommend? please drop a comment or contact – of course there are loads, this will get ya started.
Background Riff
So many vacant houses in Japan – millions! The general term you’ll hear is “Akiya” houses (free/cheap abandoned houses). Sometimes the owner is unknown, sometimes there are mysteries, sometimes houses have businesses attached, sometimes from way back in Meiji or Edo period! Sometimes someone died in odd circumstances within, or sometimes just died.
Often very (very) messy, always requiring work, a lot sometimes. Materials, labor and disposal can be really expensive in Japan so good to remember (speaking generally for anyone else who is reading along, not just you :-)). But hey, you are crafty right? Keep in mind, its a whole other style of construction than “western” places. Tile roofs! Foundations, plumbing, electric all different and sometimes you’ll need boundary surveyed.
immigration to Japan is *extremely* difficult, so the pithy “Millennials, you are going to Japan” headlines are very overstated to say the least
these cheap/empty/trad places are usually quite remote and require a lot of work. “No big deal, right? I’m handy!” is first hunch but keep in mind, the cost of upgrading can be verrry high (gotta have cash since no mortgage or home improvement loans for you unless you are well established) and building skills are very different than “western” houses.
in snowy areas (where many/most of these houses are, not beach front or modern/urban), keep in mind the houses are uninsulated and literally made of curvy logs, complicated joints, sticks, mud and paper
also worth noting that internationals often look at Japan like we could fit the whole country in our “back pocket” without realizing most of the population lives in the megasaki-opolises between Tokyo > Nagoya > Osaka and 90% of the country is blissfully rural and mountainous (a lot of it quite like Cascadia really) and can require long drives on twisty roads to get to services
Handy Vocab:
Akiya = abandoned/unused houses, see also,
Akiya banks = directories managed by municipal govs seeking to find residents for akiya (often to prevent eyesores, demolition and/or revitalize areas)
Minka/Kominka = traditional houses of various styles and eras
Machiya = traditional townhouses (usually narrow and deep)
Administrative Scrivener (行政書士 or gyoseishoshi) = your ace to do the transaction
Kura / Naya = various types of out-buildings on compounds/farms
note to self: add more terms here
Situation, in brief
The big cities are growing and the countryside is shrinking, fast. Young folks move away to the big city to work, old folks stay in country, working til they grow old and in Japan, folks grow very old. When they die, often the heirs are unknown or simply refuse the “inheritance” or they try to think they will go back and fix it up and enjoy the legacy but year after year paying property tax, they finally realize they won’t ever fix it up. In other words, property/houses is generally/always a depreciating asset in Japan.
Anyway, the laws of changed significantly in recent years allowing local governments to expropriate more easily so there’s loads and loads of these houses available, does definitely take some hunting around though. Indeed! It’s definitely a scavenger hunt… so this dossier is a clearinghouse of resources, stories, articles, musings, directories, etc.
