How easy is it to buy and restore an aging countryside home in Japan?

Dean Irvine, CNN
7 minute read
Updated 7:52 AM EST, Wed January 12, 2022
<strong>A vacation home in the country:</strong> Shuji Kikuchi bought this century-old wooden house and transformed it into a weekend home in the Japanese countryside. He retained the original doors and shutters of the house.
A vacation home in the country: Shuji Kikuchi bought this century-old wooden house and transformed it into a weekend home in the Japanese countryside. He retained the original doors and shutters of the house.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Before: </strong>The owner of the original property agreed to sell it after the roof fell in. Kikuchi's first task was to repair it.
Before: The owner of the original property agreed to sell it after the roof fell in. Kikuchi's first task was to repair it.
Shuji Kikichi
<strong>Seven years in the making: </strong>The first room that welcomes visitors to "Nakamaru," as Kikuchi and his partner have named their weekend home.
Seven years in the making: The first room that welcomes visitors to "Nakamaru," as Kikuchi and his partner have named their weekend home.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Unique decor: </strong>Local artists and friends provided some unique items including this metal brazier.
Unique decor: Local artists and friends provided some unique items including this metal brazier.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Lower floor:</strong> A glimpse into a lower floor room of the home, which was built around a kotatsu (a low, wooden table frame).
Lower floor: A glimpse into a lower floor room of the home, which was built around a kotatsu (a low, wooden table frame).
Dean Irvine
<strong>New addition: </strong>Kikuchi added this floor to the property. It's a self-contained space with a more Scandanavian feel than the lower floor.
New addition: Kikuchi added this floor to the property. It's a self-contained space with a more Scandanavian feel than the lower floor.
Shuji Kikichi
<strong>Let the renos begin: </strong>The bare bones of Kikuchi's house, taken shortly after the beginning of renovations.
Let the renos begin: The bare bones of Kikuchi's house, taken shortly after the beginning of renovations.
Shuji Kikichi
<strong>The kitchen:</strong> Built to a high-spec for Kikuchi's partner, who is a professional chef, the kitchen was made with traditional materials, including local salvaged wood for the counter tops.
The kitchen: Built to a high-spec for Kikuchi's partner, who is a professional chef, the kitchen was made with traditional materials, including local salvaged wood for the counter tops.
Dean Irvine
<strong>The doma:</strong> Traditionally an area for a workshop, the doma was restored and made into a spacious entrance area. During renovations, neighbors sometimes brought antiques they thought Kikuchi might like.
The doma: Traditionally an area for a workshop, the doma was restored and made into a spacious entrance area. During renovations, neighbors sometimes brought antiques they thought Kikuchi might like.
Dean Irvine
<strong>The view: </strong>The property is overlooked by Kikuchi's own tea plant-covered hillside and separated from a few neighbors by a picturesque stream and bridge.
The view: The property is overlooked by Kikuchi's own tea plant-covered hillside and separated from a few neighbors by a picturesque stream and bridge.
Dean Irvine
<strong>Kyoto farmhouse: </strong>Elsewhere, Wales native Tom Fay recently bought this 100-year-old farmhouse in Kyoto prefecture to restore. He was greeted by decades of items, including a calendar on the wall from 1958, and a general state of neglect.
Kyoto farmhouse: Elsewhere, Wales native Tom Fay recently bought this 100-year-old farmhouse in Kyoto prefecture to restore. He was greeted by decades of items, including a calendar on the wall from 1958, and a general state of neglect.
Tom Fay
<strong>Work in progress: </strong>The cost of the house? Around 7 million yen (approx $60k), including fees. Fay hopes to be able to move into the house later in 2022.
Work in progress: The cost of the house? Around 7 million yen (approx $60k), including fees. Fay hopes to be able to move into the house later in 2022.
Tom Fay
<strong>Solid bones: </strong>Structurally the building is sound and has been updated since it was built but Fay says it needs significant work to make it habitable.
Solid bones: Structurally the building is sound and has been updated since it was built but Fay says it needs significant work to make it habitable.
Tom Fay
<strong>A living museum: </strong>Some parts of Fay's house look more like a museum highlighting early 20th century countryside life in Japan.
A living museum: Some parts of Fay's house look more like a museum highlighting early 20th century countryside life in Japan.
Tom Fay
<strong>Kyoto city: </strong>In nearby Kyoto city, Christopher Flechtner took the best part of two years to transform a traditional machiya townhouse in the city's Gosho district into a stylish modern home for his young family.
Kyoto city: In nearby Kyoto city, Christopher Flechtner took the best part of two years to transform a traditional machiya townhouse in the city's Gosho district into a stylish modern home for his young family.
Christopher Flechtner
<strong>Modern interior spaces:</strong> The entrance gives way to work spaces and bedrooms. Sound proofing and insulation were added throughout the building.
Modern interior spaces: The entrance gives way to work spaces and bedrooms. Sound proofing and insulation were added throughout the building.
Christopher Flechtner
<strong>The kitchen:</strong> Upstairs, a modern kitchen fits under the restored room with the original timber roof beams visible.
The kitchen: Upstairs, a modern kitchen fits under the restored room with the original timber roof beams visible.
Christopher Flechtner