The Akiya
The House I Wasn't Supposed to Buy
Minseon Kim
They told me buying an abandoned house in Tokyo was impossible. They almost proved it. From fighting through a bureaucracy that doesn't believe you exist without a residence card, to winning over a neighbourhood Grandma with a 100-yen envelope — this is the raw, funny, heartwarming story of the Komazawa House.
Part memoir, part survival guide, The Akiya takes you behind the scenes of a three-year search across Tokyo. Discover how to navigate "Legal Ghost" houses, survive a renovation marathon from 6,000 miles away, and why a bowl of Yoshinoya beef is the best way to start a contract day.
If you've ever dreamed of owning a piece of Japan, this is the reality check you've been waiting for.
This Book Is For You If…
- ✓You've dreamed of buying property in Japan but don't know where to start
- ✓You want the real numbers — not guesses, not ballparks
- ✓You're curious how someone managed a full renovation from abroad
- ✓You believe old houses deserve a second life
What's Inside
- Introduction — The Japan Jar and the 4,000-Mile Itch
- The Legal Ghost — Why I Bought a House That "Doesn't Exist"
- The Komazawa Chronicles
- The Anatomy of a Deji
- The White Hell of Myoko
- The Builder Auditions
- The Gatekeeper of the Gravel
- The Invisible Wall
- The Tile War and the 25-Kilogram Stone
- The Great DIY Delusion
- Conclusion
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Practical notes on buying and renovating akiya — sent immediately. No waiting for the book.
See the House in Person
Akiya Tour Tokyo offers private tours of restored traditional Tokyo homes. Experience the space you've read about.
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Want to Follow the Story?
Follow @komazawa_house on Instagram and Threads for renovation updates, before-and-after moments, and the next chapter of the Komazawa House.