From Osaka, I'm glad there's someone taking care of our Akiya, it's far better than being left and then decaying away.

@cocolenchojapan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Yes it is a shame such beautiful houses are going to waste.

Currently on vacation in Japan and was stationed at MCAS Iwakuni! Great video and helpful as we want to come back to to the area 🤙🏽 - Jordan

@cocolenchojapan

2 ай бұрын

That’s so cool! Iwakuni is a great place for sure, let me know if I can assist on your move!

This is a lot of great advice! Really thoughtful and full of details. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

@cocolenchojapan

5 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing yours! I really admire what you guys are doing! It takes guts and determination! I encourage others to checkout your channel!

❤❤thanks for sharing all the important information 🎉🎉

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

You are welcome, thanks for watching!

Thank you so much for your video. Very detailed and I was able to understand and follow each topic. Thank you for your time and contribution for those that are preparing for a new home purchase in Japan. Have a great rest of your day.

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Thanks for sending me the link and sharing the excellent experience 👍👍👍

@cocolenchojapan

Ай бұрын

Any time!

We’re watching from Melbourne Australia and have enjoyed watching your journey. Great to see you’re getting so much from your life in the countryside!

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

Oh wow thanks! Never been there but we would love to visit someday.

Loved your video and plenty of tips for those that are going to do that amazing move to Japan. You lucky lot.

@cocolenchojapan

5 ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Hello from Southern California! Thank you for your inspiring video!

@cocolenchojapan

2 ай бұрын

Hello from Japan 😊 thanks and hope it was informative!

Greetings from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco MEXICO!! Very cool home, my friend. best vibes and luck your way!

@cocolenchojapan

2 ай бұрын

muchas gracias! I actually grew up in Jalisco. It was in a small town called Quila el Grande. Thanks for watching and LOVE Puerto Vallarta

thanks for the content brother! I can't wait to live there!

@cocolenchojapan

15 күн бұрын

You are very welcome, hopefully you can make it soon!

thank you for sharing your channel is amazing.

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I am trying to improve every day.

Hello from just north of Sydney Australia. I bought a house here nearly 20 years ago which was built in the 1970's (with salmon pink and avocado green bathroom decor 😂). I had a builder friend who looked it over for me before making an offer and he said it has "good bones". I update it as I can afford (the bathroom was first...), knowing that it is solidly built and will last a long time. Your renovations have been a joy to watch and your house is now so perfect for your needs.

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

Thanks! You are spot on. I was holding off pouring a bunch of money until I knew for sure it had good bones too. After that it was game on!

thank you for all detail about "How to" / this is really helpful.

@cocolenchojapan

Ай бұрын

Thank you for watching. I will be working on a one year review video soon, hope you enjoy it as well.

Beautiful home. I hope you spend many happy years there.

@cocolenchojapan

29 күн бұрын

Thanks, me too!

Thanks for the great video!

@cocolenchojapan

3 күн бұрын

Glad you liked it!

This video was very helpful, thank you for sharing all of this information.

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

Awesome, glad it was informative! Thanks for watching.

@xar007

7 ай бұрын

@@cocolenchojapan I knew your renovation was on the high end of what someone can accomplish with an Akiya. And it is a steal when you look at what your renovation compared to buying something in the US, Australia, etc. I'm still looking in Oita, but would focus on something move in ready that needs a little work. I'd really like to add insulation since Japanese houses are so drafty - was that costly/complicated?

@cocolenchoraw

7 ай бұрын

@@xar007 hi that’s hard to tell, but I will say yes in our case because everything was ripped out so basically starting from scratch.

Hi. We Australians who live in Shanghai. We fell in love with the countryside. Will start looking for a Akiya best month. Thanks for posting this video. Its really helpful!

@cocolenchojapan

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! Yes the countryside is very beautiful and peaceful. There are some inconveniences and things you need to take into consideration such as transportation. If you are not following Steve at @realruraljapan I recommend you do so. He’s Australian living in the countryside and covers many daily life topics. Thanks!

From Melbourne Australia, Sort of stuff I would have liked to have done in younger days. Japan has special charm. Nice project and making it look good. It is coming up well.

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

Thanks! Lots of folks from Australia. I am humbled:-)

Hello Lawrence. I'm Brent and me and my fiance, Angela have been watching your videos. I don't really comment on videos very much at all but wanted to on yours. We have been seriously thinking for a few months now about moving from Texas to Japan in the coming few years and doing pretty much the same things that you and your wife have been doing. We "really" enjoy your videos that you make. You are very informative and helpful with the information that you give about your experiences so far on your journey. You talk about the quality of life being better over there and we can almost "feel" how great it is over there through your videos. Hoping to see many more videos in future of your continued journey in Japan. Thank you again Sir. 😊

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

Oh wow! Thank you so much. I really do appreciate the kind words and feedback since this is the purpose of sharing our journey. Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist in your move to Japan. Thanks again!

Lawrence, Walt from California here again, Great video! Thank-you for your transparency on your experience/journey. The info is really helping me cross things off our list and add other things. I think the biggest take-away, though there were many, is to exercise patience. I, more than the wife, am very anxious believing I may be missing out on that dream home. Your video has me taking some deep relaxing breaths and pumping the brakes. I highly agree with your comment on the purchase. What is your goal? If its to invest/profit that is not the way, the house. However, if this is the place you want to call "Home" then the extra cost justifies the purchase. Well done my Brother.

@cocolenchojapan

4 ай бұрын

Glad to help! I think the Akiya situation is only going to get worse, take your time and find your future dream home!

Hello from Malaysia! Also watching your videos and enjoying the practical content. It would be great to hear more about how to integrate into the community, and the social expectations you might come across

@cocolenchojapan

5 ай бұрын

Sounds good, thanks for watching!

Looks great

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

Thanks! Hope you enjoyed it.

Great video. Very informative.

@cocolenchojapan

Ай бұрын

Thanks! I like you user name :-)

@mountainsmusicbeer5532

Ай бұрын

@@cocolenchojapan 笑笑　⛰🎵🍺

@cocolenchojapan

Ай бұрын

@@mountainsmusicbeer5532 😆

Great job

@cocolenchojapan

20 күн бұрын

Thank you so much!

Watching from Canada, dreaming of following in your footsteps with a project like this.

@cocolenchojapan

6 ай бұрын

Wow thanks! Hopefully I can provide something of value and some motivation. I was inspired by others such as Tokyo Llama. I am certain you have watched his channel, if not I highly recommend you check him out.

You put a lot of good wood in that house! Nice project!

@cocolenchojapan

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Hi I am Richard. I find your video very informative and thank you for it.

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, please let me know if there is something else I can try to answer for you.

Thanks for all the information! You guys have built a beautiful home. We're not too far away, in Kyushu.. trying to figure out what to do over here! :)

@cocolenchojapan

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! I love Kyushu!

Thank you so much for that awesome and INFORMATIVE video! My husband retires from the navy next year and we will be waiting for a ATC position to open up at your base. He was in Sadebo for two tours and LOVED it. Hopefully we can be expat neighbors! We are looking in your area for an Akiya too! We would love to connect!

@cocolenchojapan

2 ай бұрын

Wow small world! I am sure a position will open soon. I uploaded a video on how to find GS and contractor jobs in Japan too, hopefully that helps too. For sure let’s connect. My email or instagram is in the description. Let me know if I can be of assistance!

Hello Lawrence, watching you from Bellingham Washington. Great video. Hopefully someday I can follow in your footsteps in finding a nice place to relax / retire

@cocolenchojapan

4 ай бұрын

Hi thank you very much! My goal is to inspire others to follow their dream, hope this helps!

@aliasvfx

4 ай бұрын

@@cocolenchojapan Just saw the video of the Japan > Guadalajara Our family is from Ameca. I have a few questions for you. Hopefully you can help. Will email them. Thanks again for the videos

@cocolenchojapan

4 ай бұрын

@@aliasvfx oh wow! So up in the mountains by dirt road as you leave Ameca is a small town called Quila el Grande also just known as Quila is where I grew up. I have been to Ameca many times! Some of my ancestors came from that area as well. For sure! You can email at cocolenchojapan@gmail.com

Hi Lawrence from Gunma-ken. My wife and I (long-time living in Japan) are looking for an Akiya now. Thanks for your video…reaffirmed many of the things I’ve learned, as well as pointed out some things I didn’t know. Cheers!

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

Awesome! I am glad it helped. Looking forward to hearing back from you as you find your Akiya. Thanks!

Watching from Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

@cocolenchoraw

7 ай бұрын

Oh wow thanks! Just curious what attracts you about Japan?

@AlistairAVogan

7 ай бұрын

@@cocolenchoraw Thanks for your response. Japan is awesome, for starters. But my interest in Japan stretches to my childhood, though I first moved there in the 90’s. My wife (who is Japanese) and I are based here but call Japan, among other places, home. We have a kominka in Nara. I’ve been enjoying your videos for a while. You’ve build something excellent with your channel and your home. Congratulations!

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

@@AlistairAVogan thanks! That sounds cool, Nara is beautiful and I bet you have a beautiful kominka!

@AlistairAVogan

7 ай бұрын

@@cocolenchojapan Thanks. It has been a dream of ours for sometime. Like yours, there will be some work ahead, but I can see it. Hopefully, we can accomplish the first big wave by the end of the summer. I’ll be returning to your channel and a few others as we move forward! Keep up the great work!!

Very cool video. I live in Yamaguchi and am from California. Trying to find myself a cool akiya like the one you have. Appreciate the information.

@cocolenchojapan

4 ай бұрын

Cool glad you liked it and hopefully you find something useful from it. Are you in Yamaguchi city? I lived in Santa Cruz, CA before I joined the Army in 1990.

@keenan1811

4 ай бұрын

I live in Ube and from the SF Bay Area. @@cocolenchojapan

Absolutely love it. Thank for sharing helpful tips. Got a long shot question does Japan sell American size oven ?

@cocolenchoraw

4 ай бұрын

Hi thanks! Well they are not common but possible. It would have to be a custom install. We purchased a smaller standalone Japanese oven.

Thank you Lawrence for taking your time unselfishly sharing your experience. My son who casually ran past me his interest in Akiyas abandoned his plans when I reminded him of the uncertainty of earthquakes. I think you got yourself a real neat place at a steal Endless days of God s blessings upon your family.

@cocolenchojapan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks, definitely not for everyone!

Hey, greetings from Mexico! Very nice content

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

De verdad? Yo me crié en Jalisco en un pueblito llamado Quila. Gracias por mirar

@abrahamleonlechuga1293

3 ай бұрын

@@cocolenchojapan increíble! Saludos desde Puebla. Tu video me es de mucha ayuda

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

Que bueno me da mucho gusto. Gracias 🙏

Well put together video Lawrence. Most people also don’t know what a similar budget gets you here in Japan building a new house. You would pay around the same price and get just a small box made with far inferior materials. If I had a larger budget I would have spent it in the same areas as you. Bathroom, kitchen and replacement of every window but you make do with the budget you have. Nothing like taking a shower in the middle of winter in a cold bathroom in Nagano to remind yourself that you should have saved a bit more money 😂

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

Thanks as usual! Yeah I struggled sharing personal information such as this because don’t want to come across the wrong way, but hopefully others can benefit from it. We are really happy with the outcome and we can finally do something like this. Unfortunately rural living is not for everyone.

@RealRuralJapan

7 ай бұрын

People put up with the cookie cutter houses because they charge an arm and a leg to change anything to suit individual tastes. Far wiser to renovate an older quality building up to modern standards the way you want it for similar cost. Your place will be still around in a hundred years in good condition and the new houses won’t even last 40 unless more money is put into them.

Hi, I’m Gordon and I’m from Scotland. I loved watching your video. My wife, Yuka, is Japanese and after living in Scotland for the past thirty odd years, we are planning to move to Japan. Your experience in finding, buying and renovating your beautiful house is really inspiring to me. May i wish you my very best on your journey. We are at the start of our particular journey and are spending the next 2 years planning our eventual move. Best wishes.

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

Hi Gordon thank you so much for your kind words. This is what it is all about for me. I am sure you and Yuka-San will find a perfect home. Let me know if you find yourself in the Yamaguchi area. Thanks again and let me know if I can be of assistance.

Watching from Fujisawa, Japan ... interested in akiyas and the process ;) Doing my "due diligence" :) Great video!

@cocolenchojapan

5 ай бұрын

Cool thanks! Definitely do your research. Let me know if I can answer your questions.

@DynaDad

5 ай бұрын

I've lived in Japan for 17 years, trying to warm my wife (Japanese) up to investing in akiyas - again, part of the "process" ;) Hopefully some progress in 2024 :)@@cocolenchojapan

@cocolenchojapan

5 ай бұрын

@@DynaDad haha totally understand. My wife is from Tokyo. Many Japanese are not excited about old houses because they are cold, hot, etc. our house is very comfortable after all the work and not the new cookie cutter type.

Very nice home. I'm looking from Germany, Cologne.

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching, I love Germany!

Loving your videos and really appreciate all the great info you're sharing! The house, casita and garden look amazing! My wife and I are looking into doing some renovation work on her parent's old apartment in Osaka. Primarily, we want to replace all the old windows with new double-glazed/insulated windows. Would you be able to share about how much the window replacement cost on your house? Like your house, the apartment in Osaka has many large sliding windows/doors, I'm guessing it would be about the same number/size as the lower floor of your house. It might not make sense to compare costs between the big city and the countryside, but I'm curious about what the costs are in general. Also if there are any tips or advice regarding replacing the windows that you might have. Thanks in advance!

@cocolenchojapan

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Frankly I would have to find the price breakdown, but i think good $20,000 USD…they are not cheap :-( For the windows I recommend doing them as part of the renovation upfront. If you do it later, the windows may be different size and will become a major renovation.

@hawktrainer

2 ай бұрын

@@cocolenchojapan Thanks for the info! That's roughly what we're anticipating in terms of cost, assuming no major surprises or difficulties when removing the existing windows. Noted regarding doing them as part of the total reno, too. We will be getting quotes in a couple months. Your videos have been and will continue to be helpful!

@cocolenchojapan

2 ай бұрын

@@hawktrainer I am glad they help! Keep me posted as you make progress

Hello from Southern California. Thank you so much for this important information. Your video is very inspirational. I will be retiring in a few years and planning to live in rural Fukuoka for good. I'm currently in a relationship with a very lovely Japanese woman. I'm looking to buy an Akiya as well and renovate it. I have over a decade of experience in home renovation and am a licensed general contractor in the state of CA. I am more concerned about how the US/ Japan tax treaty works. I will live off from my SS and other investment accounts. Do you have a video that explains how to file income taxes in Japan and the US? I worry about double taxation. I read I can stay as a tourist for 6 months a year. (90 days visa with extra 90 days extension) and don't have to file taxes. Anything over 6 months, I need to file. Thanks in advance and congratulations on your beautiful home.

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

Hi thank you so much for your kind words. I am sorry I do not. I am SOFA status which means I work at a military installation and earn US dollars and file taxes as I would in the US. Eventually I will have to figure out taxes when I retire here. My wife is Japanese, so I will be under her. However I have a friend that recently retired and settled in the Fukuoka area too. I asked him the same question. He said he doesn’t pay double taxes. He does pay into the medical insurance for Japan and it is very well worth it. Medical care in Japan is very cheap compared to the US. Hope this helps!

Michigan, USA!

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

Nice, thanks for watching!

Informative video. We have the same rural depopulation phenomenon in Korea (the gov't and press call it 'rural extinction'), though nothing like the housing bank here. But, we do have some urbanites relocating to the countryside to open pensions (small inns) and glamping (glamorous camping) sites of 5 to 10 rooms in areas that have natural attractions. Are you seeing the same in Japan? Could you cover housing insurance to include earthquake coverage? I reckon you're doing a lot of your shopping for food, furniture, appliances, linens and towels, etc at the commissary and PX. But, if you were without that, how close is shopping for such items? A major supermarket, a large city with plenty of shops, etc?

@cocolenchojapan

7 ай бұрын

Hi that’s very interesting about Korea and thanks for watching. I think some of that is happening here too. I also see many young Japanese couples taking on DIY renovations and starting KZread channels. This makes me happy as we all share and hopefully encourage others to do the same. You are correct about shopping at the PX and commissary since I still work at the military base. Hiroshima and Iwakuni are an hour or less too for major stores. After I finished the video I realized I forgot about the property insurance, so will cover in the future. Thanks!

@gagamba9198

7 ай бұрын

@@cocolenchojapan Thanks for your reply.

Wow thats is an amazing reno absolutely awesome, I am sorry this may have been shard but where is this ? I am in Tokyo and would dream of having something like this in Chiba.

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

Thanks! I am in Yamaguchi near Iwakuni

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

I see you have a channel. I subscribed and will be checking it out later. Have fun riding!

@archjapanmotovlogs

3 ай бұрын

thank you so much @@cocolenchojapan 🙏

During your renovation, did you have to rebuild the foundation? Thanks for any info. Nice video

@cocolenchojapan

11 күн бұрын

Hi thanks for watching. Not the foundation itself, but we did decide to pour a concrete slab to reduce the risk of termites in the future. Hope this helps

@CostcoSamurai

11 күн бұрын

@@cocolenchojapan Thanks for the info and nice job with your home.

CoeurdAlene, Idaho USA

@cocolenchojapan

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I’ve been to many places in the US, but never been to Idaho.

Considered this lifestyle but was told that foreigners need not apply, you have to be related or have a Japanese spouse, and immigration is a headache, long and tedious and wrought with so many rules and regulations to jump through.

@cocolenchojapan

Ай бұрын

Hi thanks for watching. Yes there is some truth to that. Japan is not the most migrant friendly country, but there are other ways. I am SOFA status working for the US government until I retire. At that point I will be sponsored by my wife because she is Japanese. I will provide a link to a video I made below if you are interested. There is also a start up visa process. Please see below. Thanks kzread.info/dash/bejne/o3qVmdxxm5Swhrw.htmlsi=FC4TVdqTTFhBOFuK The Benton Homestead's Akiya Renovation Journey in Rural Japan | Startup Visa in Japan kzread.info/dash/bejne/mKN50LOsm6fMnKw.html

Would it be worth buying a drone to survey the roof and local area when buying an akiya?

@cocolenchojapan

29 күн бұрын

Definitely! Just be aware of the rules flying a drone in the area

I'd like to buy an akiya with a well.

@cocolenchojapan

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching, they are out there!

Where exactly is your house and are there any more houses like that and how far is the nearest train station and how far is it from Kamakura yokosuka and

@cocolenchojapan

6 ай бұрын

Hi we are in the countryside of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi prefecture. It’s a 10 hour drive to Yokosuka. Our nearest train station is about a 30 minute. Thanks for watching!

Are there annual property taxes? Is there any tax benefits to owning a home in Japan?

@cocolenchojapan

2 ай бұрын

Hi, yes there is. For this year it was about $350 USD for the entire year. Not sure about taxes benefits since I earn USD.

秋家ではなく空き家もしくは空家ですね

where is that house of yours located....do still know akiya for sale in that location?

@cocolenchojapan

Күн бұрын

Hi it is in Iwakuni, yamaguchi Prefecture. There are many Akiya everywhere, but many not for sale or not widely advertised. My best advice is to find a location you like and just explore the area and let people know you are looking for a property to buy.

have you thought about planting a Chayote plant?

@cocolenchoraw

7 ай бұрын

Haha the other day I was walking and saw one

I'm looking for an "Akiya," I have $100,000 US to purchase with possible $400K if I sale my house in the US and $10K a month retirement. Looking for within the next year to move.

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

You are set! Thanks 😊

Can you will your home to family?

@cocolenchojapan

4 ай бұрын

Hi sorry for the delay. I believe I can...we have not gotten to that point yet. Thanks

Thailand

@cocolenchojapan

4 ай бұрын

nice!

sorry if covered, but are you married to a japanese person? just wondering because i think most foreigners would be limited to a 90 day tourist visa, which would not be ideal when purchasing a property there

@cocolenchojapan

5 ай бұрын

Hi yes I am. You are correct it is not the most ideal. I know of foreigners doing the 90 day visa. It can be done but put not ideal.

why hardly any locals touch those energy wasting old junk houses? how long you planning to live there? for sure not another 20 years. have u looked behind the wall? especially in bathroom... its mold central there. Those akira junks are nothing but tax traps. you can get a local builder and get a brand new house with new energy standards for about 15mio yen those days. its Japan houses are build here to last max 25yrs and than ist best to demolish them !!!! any honest local builder/real estate will tell you. they house is vacant for 5yrs for no reason.. what about the roof? for sure thats another project down the road.. and another few Mios...

With that $350,000, did you go through personal loan as well?

@cocolenchojapan

3 ай бұрын

That was the approximate total. I paid most out of pocket and took out a personal loan towards the end because we had to pay the builder as work progressed. Guess we got carried away and busted our original estimate.

@Adaphobic

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing!❤