Discover the secrets of Japan's cheap abandoned homes, with 'Free Houses in Japan' as seen in Business Insider, Daily Mail UK, TV4, NHK World, Engoo, and more. Mark your calendars! The official launch date for "Free Houses in Japan" is November 7th. Get ready to hold the paperback version in your hands, available from the same day! In the meantime, secure your copy by pre-ordering the Kindle version! Amid housing crises gripping many nations, Japan stands out with an intriguing predicament-over ten million abandoned houses. But why? And what's even more baffling, why are some of these houses available for free? In 'Free Houses in Japan, ' we delve into this unique real estate landscape, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities it presents. debunking myths from a first hand perspective. This groundbreaking book, the first-ever English guide for beginners, illuminates the captivating realm of Japanese real estate. It spotlights the often-overlooked old and neglected properties, unveiling the wealth of opportunities they hold. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just a curious explorer, this book is your gateway to navigating Japan's real estate market and seizing the remarkable potential of akiyas-abandoned homes in Japan. Meet Anton Wormann, originally from Stockholm, Sweden, now a full-time resident of Japan. Anton's journey from a globe-trotting fashion model who has graced iconic cities like New York, Paris, London, and Milan to settling in Japan is an unexpected twist. In 2015, his first visit to Japan ignited a lasting connection to this captivating country. Anton is the creative force behind the popular YouTube channel, 'Anton in Japan, ' where he shares his experiences of life in Japan and his adventures in buying and renovating old Japanese houses in Tokyo. With hundreds of millions of views, his channel has gained global recognition. Copyright (c)2023 Anton Wörmann Illustrated by Megan Douglas Published in the United States by Anton in Japan Media

Did you know that Japan is the world's second-largest real estate investment market? No surprise if you didn't, because even many Japanese investors aren't aware of it--or that a 2018 report from leading investment research firm MSCI Inc. valued Japan's market at US$798 billion in 2017.One problem foreign investors face, in fact, is the crucial lack of dependable, actionable information about Japanese properties. In the Savvy Foreign Investor's Guide to Japan, real estate advisor and investor Toshihiko Yamamoto and U.S.-trained global architect Masatoyo Ogasawara tell you exactly how to find, assess, buy, manage and even build great properties in Japan--and how to avoid all the pitfalls along the way.Here are just some of the insights they'll give you:Who's buying property in Japan, and where and whyHow top investors see the market, and two real-world casesInvestment options both conventional (condos, apartment buildings, etc.) and unconventional (Airbnb, kominka and more)Practical property-hunting tips and techniquesHow to find the right property management firmHow the new Minpaku Law affects rental propertiesInsuring your investment wisely, including disaster coverageBuilding countermeasures for fire and earthquakeHow to find and deal with architects and contractorsWhether you're a pure investor, have plans to live in Japan or are already here, this book gives you several potential roads to solid yields in one of the world's most stable and desirable property markets. Toshihiko Yamamoto was a corporate executive working for major firms such as Konami Corporation and Sony Pictures Entertainment and a commodities trader in London for five years before getting deep into the real estate market as an investor, real estate broker and property advisor. He's determined to raise the reputation of real estate investment in Japan, and specializes in assisting foreign buyers and sellers the market.Masatoyo Ogasawara is a registered architect in New York and a first-class architect in Japan who graduated from the University of Tokyo with dual degrees in aeronautics and architecture, went on to the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and then joined Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in New York. The latter was the domain of Pritzker prizewinner I. M. Pei. He now runs his own firm in Tokyo, Masatoyo Ogasawara Architects, which specializes in high-end residential and commercial structures, providing world-class, high-end and diversified services in English to international clients.

Japanischer Wohnbau faszinierte und fasziniert ganze Architektengenerationen. Gerade die kleinen, sehr konzeptionellen Einfamilienhäuser zeigen neben stringent umgesetzten Wohnkonzepten die grosse Experimentierfreudigkeit in Bezug auf Raumkonstellationen und Materialien und die Fähigkeit auch den kleinsten Raum zu organisieren. Sie sind wie Minilabore, die die Kreativität japanischer Architekten ebenso deutlich zeigen, wie den Umgang mit dem Ephemeren und den vielfältigen Ebenen der Abgrenzung zwischen öffentlich und privat. Durch die Schnelllebigkeit der japanischen Städte entsteht ein riesiger Architekturfundus für den Westen, den Small Houses dokumentiert und dem Leser gleichzeitig die japanische Kultur zugänglicher macht. Kleine Häuser stellt japanische Wohnhausarchitektur vor und richtet sich an Architekten, Innenarchitekten, Studenten und interessierte Laien. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf der Präsentation kleiner Häuser, vorwiegend Einfamilienhäuser. Die Auswahl der Projekte stellt eine Mischung namhafter Architekten, wie zum Beispiel Tezuka Architects oder Atelier Bow-Wow dar, zeigt aber auch ausserhalb Japans noch wenig bekannte Büros. Zu den einzelnen Projekten gibt es Vertiefungen, die dem Leser den kulturellen und gesellschaftlichen Kontext sowie den spezifisch japanischen Umgang mit bestimmten Architekturelementen nahebringen. Auf die Darstellung von Details, die in der Regel ausserhalb Asiens keine Relevanz haben, wird verzichtet. Der Fokus liegt auf dem realisierten Wohnkonzept, das mittels Bild- und Übersichtsplänen (Grundrisse, Schnitte) dargestellt wird.

The traditional Japanese house is universally admired for its clean lines, intricate joinery, and unparalleled woodworking. The authors of this elegant volume, Peggy Landers Rao and Len Brackett, show how a classic Japanese- style house can be built to offer the warmth and comfort that modern homeowners require. Len Brackett, rigorously trained in traditional architecture in Kyoto, has spent decades adapting the ancient Japanese design aesthetic to Western needs. He builds traditional live-on-the-floor houses, as well as versions that accommodate furniture. Both types provide the essential features expected in today's new homes - central heating, insulation, weather stripping, thermal glazing, streamlined kitchens, computerized lighting systems, and the latest electronics. The book's primary focus is on a single guesthouse in California, but pictures of other adaptations of the traditional Japanese house in America exemplify various points. Architects will find reference charts of the prescribed set of proportions and dimensions normally passed down through a strict system of apprenticeship. anticipating shrinkage of various woods. A remarkable tool used to lay out precise joints is described in detail. Various sources are given for materials, including where to find a contemporary version of the distinctive, traditional earthen plaster.

"Unlocking the Secrets of Japan's Akiya: The Mystical Abandoned Homes of the Land of the Rising Sun" In a land where ancient traditions harmonize with cutting-edge modernity, Japan's captivating allure extends beyond its bustling cities and picturesque landscapes. Deep within its enigmatic cultural tapestry lies a hidden phenomenon known as "Akiya," or abandoned and unoccupied houses. This intriguing and rapidly growing issue has gripped the nation, driven by a unique interplay of demographics, preferences, and governmental initiatives. With over six decades of fascination with Japan's rich culture and heritage, Harry Studer, artist, author, and co-founder of Sour Street Publishing, takes you on an extraordinary journey through the realm of Japanese Akiya. Having first set foot on Japanese soil in 1977, Harry's enduring passion for this captivating archipelago has led him to explore and document the mysterious world of these neglected dwellings. Japan's Akiya crisis has reached staggering proportions, with over ten million such homes dotting the country's landscape. The Japanese government, recognizing the pressing need for solutions, has initiated programs aimed at revitalizing these abandoned properties. These initiatives offer support to new owners and, in some cases, provide opportunities to acquire Akiya at low or even no cost. Careful consideration is given to ensure that the integration of new residents into communities is seamless, respecting the delicate balance of local life. However, the path to claiming an Akiya is not always as straightforward as it seems. While some may require extensive renovations, others can be acquired with just a few minor adjustments, and, astonishingly, some are offered completely free, contingent on adhering to certain rules. With 62.4 million homes in Japan and a staggering 8.49 million recorded as unoccupied in 2018, even Tokyo, the nation's bustling capital, bears the weight of this issue, with one in every ten homes lying abandoned. Alarming projections by the Nomura Research Institute suggest that by 2030, one-third of all homes in Japan will be vacant or abandoned, posing a grave threat to 900 small towns that could vanish by 2040. To combat this impending crisis, the Japanese government has enacted the Special Measures Act on Promotion of Measures on Vacant Houses, commonly referred to as the "akiya law," in a bid to breathe life back into these endangered areas. As we delve into the pages of "Unlocking the Secrets of Japan's Akiya," we will uncover the complex web of factors contributing to the Akiya phenomenon, shed light on the transformative government initiatives, explore the profound impact of these abandoned homes on Japan's cultural and demographic landscape and how you can take advantage of this tremendous opportunity. This unique perspective and intimate connection with Japan's heritage will provide readers with a deep understanding of this evolving issue, offering a rare glimpse into the heart of a nation grappling with the enigma of its own abandoned past and uncertain future.

Quirky, surprising and entertaining - with more than 400 houses, Jutaku is architecture at the speed of Japan. Frenetic. Pulsating. Disorienting. Japan's contemporary culture is constantly in flux. In stark contrast to the centuries old imperial architecture of Kyoto, recent Japanese architectural practices have ushered in an era of continuous experimentation. With 400 houses, one house per page, one image per house, Jutaku: Japanese Houses is a fast-paced, "quick hit" shock to the system that shines a Harajuku-bright neon light on the sheer volume, variety and novelty of contemporary Japanese residential architecture. Featuring the work of many of Japan's most famous architects including Shigeru Ban, Sou Fujimoto, Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma, Jun Igarishi, Shuhei Endo and dozens of up and coming and completely unknown young architects, Jutaku is organized geographically taking readers on a bullet train journey across Japan's architectural landscape. Essential reading for architects, designers and fans of contemporary Japanese culture.

A new way forward for sustainable quality of life in cities of all sizes Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Build American Prosperity is a book of forward-thinking ideas that breaks with modern wisdom to present a new vision of urban development in the United States. Presenting the foundational ideas of the Strong Towns movement he co-founded, Charles Marohn explains why cities of all sizes continue to struggle to meet their basic needs, and reveals the new paradigm that can solve this longstanding problem. Inside, you’ll learn why inducing growth and development has been the conventional response to urban financial struggles—and why it just doesn’t work. New development and high-risk investing don’t generate enough wealth to support itself, and cities continue to struggle. Read this book to find out how cities large and small can focus on bottom-up investments to minimize risk and maximize their ability to strengthen the community financially and improve citizens’ quality of life. Develop in-depth knowledge of the underlying logic behind the “traditional” search for never-ending urban growth Learn practical solutions for ameliorating financial struggles through low-risk investment and a grassroots focus Gain insights and tools that can stop the vicious cycle of budget shortfalls and unexpected downturns Become a part of the Strong Towns revolution by shifting the focus away from top-down growth toward rebuilding American prosperity Strong Towns acknowledges that there is a problem with the American approach to growth and shows community leaders a new way forward. The Strong Towns response is a revolution in how we assemble the places we live.