House prices are tipped to rise further this year - spurring some to look for more affordable solutions. In Japan, millions of abandoned houses, known as ‘akiya’ are being sold cheaply or even given away for free - and some Australian expats have decided to buy up.
As Japan’s population shrinks and more properties go unclaimed, an emerging segment of buyers, feeling less tethered to overcrowded cities, is seeking out rural architecture in need of some love.
Japan’s shrinking population, combined with a preference for new homes, means many houses are simply abandoned. Even homes just 45 minutes from central Tokyo.