What happens when someone halfway across the world decides to buy a home in Japan? Some are doing just that—creating new relationships with place, whether as part-time residents, guesthouse owners, or creative investors. We’ve had the chance to support a few of them. This series shares their stories.
Key facts:
Key Facts:
Rural apartment of 300sqft / approx 28sqm
Price: 3,000,000 YEN / around $21,000 USD
Live in Japan 3-6 months a year
Nostal Homes supported: Purchase process, Utilities setup and building management fee payment, Property tax handling
Sorin is a wildland firefighter, cook, and motorcycle enthusiast from the U.S. The prices of rural vacant homes in Japan (akiya) gave him the opportunity to buy a vacation home at a much more affordable price point compared to back home.
He found his 300-square-foot rural apartment through AkiyaMart.com, and with support from Ryo at Nostal Homes, completed the purchase process. The total cost? Around $21,000 USD.
Now he aims to spend 3–6 months a year in a quiet town near a river, surrounded by nature that reminds him of where he grew up—except here, safety is higher, the cars are smaller, and vending machines seem to outnumber trash bins.
What drew Sorin wasn’t a lifelong dream of Japan—it was the math. “I couldn’t afford a home in the U.S.,” he says simply.
When choosing the area, he avoided snow-heavy regions like Hokkaido to maximize his time riding motorcycles. Being close to an airport was also important, so traveling back and forth to the U.S. wouldn’t be too much of a hassle.
Life These Days
For Sorin, this is a vacation. He cooks most of his meals at home and estimates he spends around $7 a day thanks to the habit. He plays video games, enjoys the quiet, and is eagerly waiting for his motorcycle to arrive so he can start exploring the winding roads nearby.
He’s not seeking a bustling social life—quiet and self-sufficiency are part of the appeal.
I’m kind of doing the same thing I do back home, just in a different setting.
While the apartment isn’t big, it fits everything he needs: a kitchen, bathroom, motorcycle gear, and a gaming setup in front of a view. The building also has shared spaces, including a rooftop pool, tennis court and a ping-pong table, adding to the comfort. The motorcycle itself will either live in the parking space outside or in the underground garage.