Summary
Daisuke Kajiyama, a Japanese traveler who spent years backpacking across the globe, returned to his home country to fulfill a long-held dream. He decided to open a guesthouse in the quiet countryside by purchasing an abandoned property known as a "ghost house." This project is part of a larger movement to fix Japan's growing problem with empty rural homes. By turning a ruin into a place for guests, Kajiyama is helping to bring new life to a community that was slowly fading away.
Main Impact
The most significant impact of this project is the physical and economic revival of a rural area. Japan is currently facing a crisis with millions of abandoned houses, called "akiya," which often sit empty for decades. When someone like Kajiyama buys and fixes one of these homes, it prevents the property from rotting and becoming a safety risk. Furthermore, opening a guesthouse brings tourists and money into small villages that usually do not see many visitors. This creates a path for others to follow, showing that rural Japan can be a place for business and innovation rather than just decline.
Key Details
What Happened
After traveling to many different countries, Daisuke Kajiyama wanted to settle down and share his love for travel with others. He looked for a property that had character and history but found that many traditional houses in the countryside were being left to fall apart. He eventually found a large, old house in a remote village. The building was in very poor condition, filled with the previous owners' old furniture, trash, and dust. It was a classic "ghost house" that most people would have avoided.
Kajiyama took on the massive task of cleaning and repairing the home. He spent months doing much of the hard labor himself, from tearing out rotten floorboards to cleaning the thick layers of soot from the kitchen. His goal was to keep the traditional Japanese style, such as the sliding paper doors and straw floor mats, while adding modern comforts like a clean bathroom and a working kitchen.
Important Numbers and Facts
The scale of the abandoned house problem in Japan is massive. Recent data shows there are more than 8.5 million empty homes across the country. In some rural prefectures, nearly one out of every five houses is empty. These properties are often sold for very low prices, sometimes for less than $10,000, and in some cases, local governments give them away for free to anyone who promises to live in them and fix them up. Kajiyama’s project is a small but important part of solving this national issue.
Background and Context
Why are there so many "ghost houses" in Japan? The main reason is the changing population. Japan has one of the oldest populations in the world, and the birth rate is very low. As older people in the countryside pass away, their children—who usually live and work in big cities like Tokyo—often do not want to move back to their hometowns. These children inherit the houses but find them difficult to sell because the demand for rural property is low. Additionally, it can be expensive to tear a house down, so many families simply leave them empty.
Over time, these empty houses become a problem for the neighbors. They can attract pests, grow overgrown with weeds, and even collapse during storms or earthquakes. This has led to the creation of "Akiya Banks," which are online lists managed by local towns to help buyers find these cheap, abandoned properties.
Public or Industry Reaction
The reaction from the local community has been mostly positive. In many small Japanese villages, the residents are elderly and worry that their towns will disappear. Seeing a young person move in and invest time and money into an old house gives them hope. Neighbors often help by giving advice on how to live in the area or by sharing fresh vegetables from their gardens. In the travel industry, there is a growing interest in "slow tourism." Travelers are tired of crowded city spots and want to experience the real, quiet side of Japan. Guesthouses like the one Kajiyama built are becoming very popular with international tourists who want a unique and authentic experience.
What This Means Going Forward
Going forward, we can expect to see more people following in Kajiyama's footsteps. The Japanese government is starting to offer more grants and tax breaks to encourage people to move to the countryside. As remote work becomes more common, young professionals may choose to leave small, expensive city apartments for large, cheap country homes. However, the challenge remains huge. Fixing a ghost house requires a lot of money and physical work. It also requires a deep respect for local customs and a willingness to fit into a small, tight-knit community. Not every abandoned house will be saved, but each one that is turned into a home or a business helps slow down the decay of rural Japan.
Final Take
Daisuke Kajiyama’s journey from a world traveler to a rural homeowner shows that there is beauty and opportunity in things that others have thrown away. By choosing a "ghost house" over a new building, he saved a piece of Japanese history and created a new future for himself and his village. His story is a reminder that with enough hard work, even the most neglected places can become welcoming homes again. It is a small step toward fixing a big national problem, one house at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an "akiya" in Japan?
An akiya is an abandoned or empty house. These are very common in rural parts of Japan because of the shrinking and aging population.
Why are these houses so cheap to buy?
They are cheap because there are more empty houses than there are people who want to live in them. Many are in remote areas far from jobs, and they often need very expensive repairs.
Can anyone buy a ghost house in Japan?
Yes, both Japanese citizens and foreigners can buy these properties. However, buyers should be prepared for a lot of paperwork and the high cost of fixing up an old building.
