Hey everyone,
I’m 19 and currently working full-time in a warehouse job after finishing my vocational training. I’ve been saving money and thinking a lot about my future. One long-term dream of mine is to eventually move to Japan and live a quiet life while doing art.
Lately, I’ve heard a lot about Akiya (abandoned or super cheap houses) that some towns give away for free or for a very low price. I know the “dark side” is that most of these houses have low resale value and you probably can’t sell them again for the same price, but honestly, that isn’t a problem for me.
My idea is really simple:
move to Japan someday (in 5–8 years maybe)
get an Akiya or very cheap house
renovate it minimally so it has electricity, water, and basics
live there long-term, not planning to resell it
use the extra rooms as my art studio
But I’m still young and I don’t want to be naïve. I want to understand what’s realistic.
My questions:
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Is it realistic for a foreigner (EU citizen) to get an Akiya if I only plan to renovate it enough to live safely?
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How much money should I realistically save over the next years for moving + minimal renovations?
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What would be the easiest visa path for someone like me (warehouse worker, artist on the side)?
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Are there people here who actually live in an Akiya with minimal renovation? How difficult is that in practice?
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Any recommended regions that are foreigner-friendly and have Akiya programs with grants?
I’m not looking for anything fancy – I just want a quiet life, big space to create art, and a long-term home without crazy rent.
Any advice or personal experiences would really help. Thanks in advance! 🙂
by polnischergyros