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Anton Wormann, 32, moved to Japan in October 2018. Courtesy of Anton Wormann

Anton Wormann, 32, has always had a passion for DIY projects and creating beautiful spaces. So, after he discovered that his neighbor's property had been abandoned, he decided to purchase it and bring it back to life. Upon inspection, Wormann discovered that the property had been vacant for about 10 years after its elderly owners passed away. This property was one of the 9 million "akiyas" — empty houses — across Japan, according to official government data as of 2023. While many countries face a housing shortage, Japan is seeing something starkly different — an oversupply problem. From its bustling cities to its beautiful and lush countryside, these abandoned properties are scattered across Japan, and here's the kicker — they are going for as low as $10,000 a pop.

Japan's abandoned houses

Japan's unprecedented demographic crisis has led to millions of empty houses. The country's population continues to fall as its fertility rate sinks to a record low of 1.2 births per woman as of 2023. Meanwhile, Japan's elderly population is growing rapidly with people aged 65 and over estimated to account for about 30% of the country's total population, according to 2024 data. Death rates have surpassed birth rates in Japan, contributing to abandoned properties. Some people, like Wormann, have identified this trend as an opportunity to buy real estate for cheap, and try to save some beautiful Japanese architecture from being lost.

An 'akiya' discovery

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