EconomyAustralians Pay ¥60 Million for Old Houses, Chinese Buyers Take Abandoned Inns: Japan’s Vacant Homes Become a “Treasure Trove” for Foreigners

Old houses, abandoned inns and ski-resort villas lying dormant in rural Japan are often regarded as worthless by Japanese buyers. Overseas investors and tourists, however, see them as a “treasure trove.” The article examines why foreign purchasers are willing to spend heavily on vacant homes and secondhand properties in Japan. It highlights the sharp difference between domestic perceptions of these buildings and the value that outsiders believe they can unlock.

Japan vacant homesforeign investorsreal estateold houses

TToyo Keizai★★☆☆☆2026-07-14 01:00Original