Tour my $6000 USD house in Japan
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- čas přidán 28. 07. 2023
- I bought this house in Myoko Kogen, Niigata. Its located around 10 minutes to some of the worlds best ski resorts. There are 12 ski resorts within 30 minutes.
This is day 1 - I just got the keys. This is how it was left by the owner who moved out the day before.
I’ll put my videos on here and stories on my Insta @im.mattguy
#explorejapan #niigata #myokokogen #cheaphousesjapan #livinginjapan
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Hello, is it easy to found house there in similar prices and did you found it on interent? How is the life there. cost of living....people there is friendly? It is quiet and peaceful or..? Good luck with your haouse!
Your new house is amazing! Where else you can buy such a big property and in such great condition for $6K? I am thinking of moving to Japan in near future. So, everythng regarding house hunting is of most interest to me. Also, renovating. How easy is to find a reputable trades people that will do a good job? I wish you a long and nice life in your new home. Subscribed.
organizing and cleaning
can you please make a video on how to buy a house in japan and what was your journey like when you were looking
1st thank you! Your journey with this house is so inspirational. Im an American looking to buy and renovate a home for my parents to retire overseas. This search has led me to S.E. Asia and your videos specifically. My questions are similar to others I've seen. 1. How did you decide to move to Japan? 2. What is the criteria for an Expat owning property? 3. How did you find this amazing deal and could you share some advice/resources for doing the same? Finally, what major town or city are you closest to and whats the main method of transportation in your area to town?
Hey Matt, Congratulations on finding such a big, beautiful home in the Japanese countryside. Just a couple of suggestions: Don't make any changes for six months. Living in the house, cleaning it up, getting through your first winter there will be enough. In spring, you'll have a much better understanding of your home and what works for you. Hopefully, you'll also learn to respect the whys and how's of Japanese architecture -- like the beauty of shoji, wood and tatami floors, wood ceilings etc. Do NOT paint (esp. white!) over any walls or wood; just clean it and buff it to its former beauty. Please take time to learn about wabi-sabi -- the Japanese aesthetic concept that finds beauty and serenity in natural objects and designs that are simple, imperfect, and impermanent (e.g., handmade shoji and fusuma doors, wood ceilings. tatami mat floors). You've got a lovely, traditional Japanese home, Matt. Please preserve it with love and respect ... and live to a fine old age in it.
So true! Don’t ruin that beautiful wood. Respect the architecture.
DONT PAINT OVER ANYTHING BEAUTIFUL NATURAL FANTASTIC WOOD TOO MUCH WHITE IS LIKE LUVING IN A HOSPITAL 24 7 365. YUK MANY YRS RESEARCH HAVE MADE THESE HOMES SO WAIT AN LEARN
I agree completely! Love, respect and appreciate this gift. I know you bought it, but trust me, it’s a gift. Wow, it’s like you won the lottery! Why buy a house in Japan and change everything about it? Please don’t take offense to my comment, but if you do, that’s ok!
Try that toilet for 6 months and you will wish to leave the COUNTRY 😂😂😂.
First thing is to pay someone to check for termites, after that for sure the toilet and shower room, it's freezing in the winter. Pipes conditions, sewage...Mold might be another issue, and ripping the shite of the house might be needed. How it looks or style is the last thing to talk about, people are delusional to think with a house that old you would be able to keep everything as it is. Few earthquakes in an old house will be able to wake up anyone to reality.
Lol he wont
Simply amazing! But PLEASE keep the beautiful timber ceiling. Dont paint it white.
$6000 is nothing you got an amazing deal!! The doors are beautiful very traditional.
Yes, that house is in excellent condition for its age. I lived in a house like that in Tokyo with some other people for a few months before I found my apartment and it was a slum compared to this place. I would not really want to live on the West coast in Niigata of course but that is an excellent price for what he got. If I did want to live out there, I would definitely have bought that house however if given the chance. But if living in Japan I just have to be in Tokyo. Not only that but I need to be right in the heart of the city near all the action which is why I lived in the Shibuya area. Back to the house though the one thing I never liked about those old Japanese houses is that they all have very steep and very slippery wooden stairways and it is very easy to slip and fall since you are always going to be in your stocking feet. Well actually a Japanese person will wear slippers in the kitchen and hallways and will take the slippers off when going into the tatami rooms. Then if you want to go to the toilet you have to put on your hallway slippers back on to get to the toilet and then before you enter the toilet you will change from those slippers and into your bathroom slippers. Then you have to reverse the process to go back to the tatami room. It’s a real pain in the butt but since he owns the house, he can just skip the slippers if he wants to.
@@SLOBeachboyLOL did u pop a addy homie!? good info! Shibuya is so expensive but worth it
@@SLOBeachboy Yes. All true.
Plug the house and drop it anywhere in place like LA or NY, you will make 100folds.😅
Really 6K? More of at least 12K and above.
Score!!! It’s beautiful. Don’t paint the ceiling and leave the doors.
Definitely do not paint those beautiful cedar(?) ceilings.
DONT PAINT BEAUTIFUL.NATURAL.WOOD. CEILING. GEZZZZZ GARBAGE CAN BE PAINTED WHITE NATURAL.WOOD IS VERY HARD TO FIND AND WALLS ARE MULTIPURPOSE. REPLACE WOULD BE HORRID
Lovely hope you have a wonderful time with your new house your new environment and getting used to it all
Opps lost my comment. Don’t paint the shoji n ceilings. Would look weird white! But, other than that, how exciting!! N where again is this? Wow, 20 meters of snow? Sugoii!
@@TheMeisaku
There’s already a newer video where he shows the renovations completed. 🤣
The previous owners kept the place in amazing condition! 💖
This will be fun to follow.
One suggestion: Do not paint over and wood or door panels till you’ve lived there for a while. Little benefit and impossible to reverse.
Good luck!
I know what you mean, I will definitely paint the timber in the kitchen but might make it a different color to the walls. There’s timber throughout the house and because the kitchen has been changed over the years it kinda doesn’t match with the timber anyway… I’ll keep timber through the house but not the kitchen :)
I agree! Don't paint those wood ceilings. It's great the way it is!
I’ve heard that when you move into a house in japan you buy your neighbours gifts, could be a good way to get an introduction and start a friendship with them and get some tips from them for what you’ll need to do with the snow in winter. I think that’s gonna be a big challenge if you’ve never lived somewhere with heavy winter snow! It seems super convenient with everything left behind, looks like you’ve got al the tools you’d need to live there, very cool! Also seems like a big money saver, nice to give the old things a second life 🎉 Think some of those screens and shutters are changeable for the seasons.
Japanese traditional gift for neighborhood when you moving
I think this is correct. As an English women I'd probably gift them some Scotch whisky and some well-made linen tea-towels with London landmarks on them. I'd also go to see the local mayor and introduce myself and take a bottle of whiskey as a gift. Not cheap whiskey either, a good 15 year old single malt.
Yes, bring them sweets.
Keep all the shoji doors. I wouldn't enlarge the bedroom as traditional Japanese houses aren't well insulated, and winters are bittetly cold. It's easier and cheaper to heat a smaller bedroom.
Congratulations! I would definitely keep the dividing doors, they are beautiful 😄
This dude has no idea what he has at all. When winter hits he will realize why rooms are divided in to smaller areas. As this house is traditional there is no central heating. So heating a large room is close to impossible. He’ll learn the hard way. Will be a funny video.
@@daveleephoto No doubt the whole place will end up soulless looking 'usual grey and white' makeover and cheap furniture unlike the well made furniture that is in the house. I wouldn't alter any of it because it would spoil the Japanese features.
Love the doors and all the original details.
You will only be heating one small room at a time so keep all shoji doors to close off colder rooms. Freezing is a major problem.
You almost seem embarrassed to show the kitchen but I think it’s wonderful and just needs a tidy and a clean! I’ve always loved how practical and simple the Japanese way of setting up a home is and how much sense it makes. If it were me I’d highlight all the quintessentially Japanese kitchen things like the sink area and natural wood colors. Making things cohesive will be a much better plan than redoing absolutely everything. My friend and neighbor here in America is an old lady from Japan and she never wanted to live there again, but she still lives as if she did by keeping to that simple and delightful way of setting up her home.
That’s awesome, it’s very similar in the countryside where people live a simple life.
I love my place including the kitchen :) I take things slow and feel out what renovations need to be done for practicality and personal design choice 🙂
That's a really nice house, in the yard is a small jungle, but after some pruning, it will look wonderful. I love hydrangeas.
It's a very nice house and makes me sad that what happened to this family...I'm Japanese living in the US for more than 50 yrs and seeing a house like this leaving everything behind is very sad to me...hope they are okay and you'll do great job to update this house!!!!!
I feel the same… like what happened? 😞. I mean happy for him but can’t help thinking seeing all the families things.. like they were just there 5 mins before he came.
@@newaccount091 I know right!!! 😢
My thoughts too. I said a prayer for those who were present prior. May they have taken a great opportunity…or made it happen!
The owners have to pay a hefty tax by the govt, that is why they walk out. Inheritance tax is 45%. Most young people don't want to live rural.
@@lillypond1061 Wow, did not know that thank you for the info!!!
I wouldn't paint the natural wood ceiling or those decorative sliding doors, i would save my money for better toilet and refridgerator, what is really needed. Buy a book of two on bonsai care. Good luck!
Save money ? He bought the house for less the price of a deluxe refrigerator or fancy toilet 😂
Toilet is the priority! Figuring that out this week with the plumber and discussing options. Money isn't too much of an issue since it's just the material and the labor cost doesnt exist. I'm doing all myself
Did you square away the toilet situation?
I agree. Question. Will you hire a local to walk you through your house and explain Japanese interiors with you? How about hiring a crew to remove everything and, help you go sort through for things you want to keep. Recycle the rest at a local charity thrift store. Once you know what you have, get some paint and make it uniquely yours. Incorporate your Western style with your new home. Personally, I would redo the screens with more abstract/🚀🛸🛰️/🐲🎋🦖/or (your personal preference) images, using STENCILS, on each screen in the same locations. But that’s just me. Good luck. You really got a great bargain. I think the previous owners must have loved that home. They took lots of memories with them I’m sure.
You got a deal~! 😄👍... dishes, pots, pans, furniture, fridge, houseplants, couch set. Everything looks in good repair. Your only immediate expense (should you choose) is to switch out the toilet from Eastern to Western - you have a move-in ready HOME. Costs for those small items add up. You saved at least $1000 on the furniture alone - You lucked out. That is a good sturdy home. Please don't throw out the couch or other pieces of furniture, except maybe get a new dining table. And leave the doors.
Could always just add a western toilet, but leave the other for guest's comfort
update kitchen and electricity.
He probably was thinking how much do I want to keep, and what is the cost of replacing what I’ll be discarding.
It's huge! What an amazing find! I'm in Hong Kong and that's basically 3 months rent for a small flat here & you own it! 💪🏼bonus, you get lots of furniture that already fits the space. Keep the doors, they're very pretty.
I wouldn’t paint ceilings or inside until you’ve spent a winter. Then you’ll see how cold the 1 room you occupy can get and where your money will go in 4 seasons
The house, the garden, the shed! I love it all! A small Japanese house doesn't need fancy shmancy stuff, I'd love to see the outcome of your project! ❤
REALLY HOT MAYBE WARM.FOR WINTER PLACE TO BE
Dude, what score for 6K! I wouldn't change a thing... except for the toilet, otherwise it's perfect and ready to move in! Congrats!🎉
Why the hell would you buy such a beautiful home and then want to tear out or paint everything that makes it beautiful? I'm surprised that you didn't suggest tearing out the wood floors and installing LVP.
Exactly. I can imagine how this beautiful home will end up. Each to their own, yes but it is sad to see traditional houses having all the original features removed just to end up making them look like every other soulless home nowadays.
$6000?! This is a steal!! You don’t have to buy anything! It’s perfect (minus the toilet).
Canada 64 years experience with snow.A good lite snow float will save your back and heart. Find an area of about 15 feet to push loads of snow to. Then keep building a snow runway to deliver loads of snow to stack the snow. Don't lift with a shovel or it's hard on the heart and 1000 people in bad shape die every year from too much heavy lifting or they injure the lower back.Push snow and deliver it to a 15 foot by 15 foot area.
Be careful about painting the walls. Traditional walls (in old houses like these) are often plastered with 'Shikkui', a type of plaster that is used to help regulate humidity in the summer. Painting over it would lose that benefit. If you want to change the color, you can re-plaster it with a different color shikkui
The paint system has been designed to work with the shikkui:)
My vote: Definitely keep the upstairs doors
First of all, congratulations. A really good buy. The house is sound. Keep the doors, if possible, please. You need to become a good gardener or find somebody to help you. Don't forget to water the plants. 😊 Make sure that you make local friends. You need local people to help you and to advise you. A very interesting renovation experience for you!
thats a great new adventure you just jumped in ma, best of luck! and Con gratulations on owning you home!
Dude....why you keep reiterating the price and that the stuff they left you have to deal with it??? U got blessed... That's Awesome 💯❤
Scrolled way too long for this comment
In February, I visited Japan for the first time. I stayed in Myoko-Kogen for one week, where I learned to ski. I enjoyed my experience in this lovely small town so much that i would also consider purchasing a place like this.
The first time I visited Myoko I actually had mixed feelings - I preferred the buzz of Hakuba and being close to the northern alps. After spending like a month in Myoko helping a friend with their renovation my feelings changed a lot. I actually like Myoko more for the authentic Japan experience. It will change and infrastructure will continue to develop here. End of the day, there are pros and cons to anywhere, but I'm super happy with Myoko :):)
Wonderful deal! What a find! Way to go! What an adventure! Keep us posted/updated on your progress!🏡
Wow! The American Dream is now living abroad! 😊 That’s a gorgeous house and little town. Congrats!
Why would you a beautiful wood ceiling paint over? Remove all tchotchke from the house clean up and then look what you want remodeling.. but paint wood ceiling I wouldn’t do .. Congrats to your house purchase !
Matt, congrats on the house! I’m really interested in hearing how you are able to purchase a home as foreigner in Japan. I’m also interested in seeing what kind of aesthetic you are going to go for. I ask because, even though I’m not Japanese, your house in its current state, reminds me of my grandma’s house. It has an old school, small town charm to it.
Thanks so much! Yeah for sure, there will be a balancing act of keeping it kinda orginal but trying to make it more comfortable with todays new technology
I had a smile throughout the entire video, i can tell you are absolutely happy and excited about owning your house and we are really happy for you.
Great house! You have a lot of work to do! I adore the garden and plants left behind. 😊
Clean clean clean but do not paint those beautiful wooden ceilings white.. better re- do the tatami or new shoji doors. Put the money into the bathroom and good winter heating. and congratulations!
very happy for you! by why does his hurt my heart a little. So much backstory to the people who once lived there
What an amazing house and project you have! I think it is beautiful. Thank you for the wonderful video.
Love the inspiration! I'm heading to japan this winter (landing in tokyo) and cant wait to see what sort of treasures i can find like this!
What a deal!! Congrats P.S. Absolutely keep the sliding doors for the bedrooms 😉
It appears to be a very traditional home . It's really a treasure . Personalizing it will be delightful . Id spend a year getting used to the place . Updating the bathroom and upkeep is priority . Wishing you the best ❤️🌹❤️
Congratulaions! Can't wait to see how you make it your home.
I wouldn’t change anything apart from changing out the commode. That house is absolutely gorgeous and in amazing condition. We seem to rush into “ modernizing” to today’s standards which will become just as outdated in 10 years. Of course heating, plumbing and electrics may need to be brought to code. But don’t paint wood in white. Clean Keep all the features. Clean them and repair if needed. 60s metal kitchen cabinets. Gems. Keep them. What a find.
I look forward to follow you in your journey! Best of luck from the States!
Thank you so much!!
I'm 2 min. 37 secs in to the video & I've heard that everything in the house comes with it like 5-6 times!!! We get it!
🤣🤣🤣 His neighbors 🥹
Bro it gave really creepy vibes.
I'm new here as of today but I just wanted to say that I am so happy for you ! You got a nice place for a fantastic deal !! Can't wait to see more of your channel....
i think thats a wonderful property, man! i'm jealous and happy for you at the same time. thanks for sharing, congrats!
Don't paint wood, don't ditch doors, just unload clutter.
In winter, there are a lot of snow falling there and you may have to climb up on the roof and get rid of snow though⛄️
pay someone to clear the roof in the winter
That house is AWESOME. Congratulations on the project. Hope you make yourself at home😊 Keep us posted with updates please. Let's goooo!!!
Thank you so much! Will do!
Fantastic buy! And a great house! Congratulations & Good Luck🎉
Congratulations on your first home. It looks like your gonna have fun fixing it up the way you want it. Thanks for sharing..from Mississippi ❤❤❤
What is your need to paint EVERYTHING white?? Don't ruin the ceilings and keep the doors.
Keep those beautiful doors!! That is my vote!! Congratulations on your new home!!
Thank you!! 😊
How cool - love the home you bought & best wishes!
Congrats on your new home! Coming from a Canadian, you must invest in a snowblower. cant wait to see what you do with the place!
My place is on the main street, you can kinda see from the outside my door is almost on the road. A few buildings down the street theres a post office and next to that theres a hospital - so I guess this road will be kept very well by the council. Do you think it would still require a blower for out the back garden?
@@im.mattguy hmmm you could always see how much snow comes down the first year and think about investing in a snowblower. Snow gets really heavy so it will get hard on the back for sure!
Hi Matt, new sub from Ig ;)
One day we definitely need a step by step guid for how to buy a house in Japan when your not Japanese.
Hope to see that one day ! Thanks and keep up the great content !
It's all pretty straight forward! And in some areas, like Myoko kogen, they know theres a foreign investment demand. They actually do their best to help in English. I just found out they have a guide book to setting up your life in Myoko with an English version! Pretty cool :)
@@im.mattguyI heard it is actually hard to go through the process without speaking Japanese... but I heard that from a person who is selling their services in buying properties for their clients 😂
Really cool house, it has loads of potential. Good luck, I'm certainly gonna follow your journey.
Congrats on your new Japanese house!🎉
I'm anxious to see what projects you're planning
Thank you!! 😊
Can't wait to see the remodeling and what your keeping
Congratulations on your new home! It's a beautiful house, and the view from upstairs is great! It'll be amazing when those hills are covered in snow. It definitely needs some brightening up, but some fresh paint or lighter flooring will help. I love all the wood flooring and railings. It gives the house a warm feel.
I'm exciting for the snow! The place really comes alive in winter, too. I'll probably do the walls in a white or off white and leave the timber features :)
I know this is 9mo old, but I’m so excited for you!!! How wonderful and exciting!!! Everything is in pretty fantastic shape and it was sooo reasonable. I mean, in this economy? In my country? That would be refurb on one room! Your channel is my new rabbit hole! CONGRATS!!!!!
That is amazing....you can use everything...it is so clean... plse keep some of the original essence while making it your own!! ❤❤❤❤
Leave the doors for at least one full year. You will find (as I did in that style of home) that if you use the windows and doors with some forethought that you can heat AND cool your spaces with the sun and outside air movement throughout the day and the year.
Those doors are not merely a decorative feature, and that basic home design is thousands of years proven, long before modern heating and cooling.
There is nothing to criticise about the house and you shouldn't be complaining about anything including all the furniture and items in the house. It's just $6000. A months salaru in the US.
I didn't hear him complaining about anything.
AMAZING! I had no idea that was even possible! Wow!
😮 I Hope you kept the Lovely Ornate Doors ! They're Fabulous. Such an Adorable home. Congratulations 🎉
How can you buy a house in Japan as a foreigner? You need to explain how you bought this place.
It’s much quicker to google it. I’ll just be regurgitating information that already exists
It’s on my reels explained in 7 steps
@@im.mattguyI couldnt see anything about this in your shorts, where is the reel you talking about 😮
You're literally lying
This guy. "How do you buy a house"
Living the dream!
everyday!
Oh my gosh, I stumbled on this video and happy I did! Great buy and just take it one day at a time. Maybe the shed can be turned into an airbnb, since you mention all the ski resorts close by. I'll look forward to your progress ... good luck ;)
The pots really look brand new, never been used, and a huge selection!
The corridor to the ground floor basin is wasted space. Rip out the Japanese squat toilet, the basin and bath. Use the corridor space. Make one larger bathroom with shower and basin and washing machine all in one. Add a dehumidifier for drying laundry, a heated towel radiator and additional underground heating. Use large floor tiles and wall tiles.
Please Please LEAVE IT ALONE. RESTORE IT, DONT DARE PAINT ANYTHING WHITE OR REMOVE THOSE DOORS!!! PLEASE. LEAVE ORIGINAL, IT ITS SO BEAUTIFUL
It's his house, his wish lol
I just found your channel today and on this video. New subscriber here. I hope you are doing more videos of this house. I would love to see what you have done with the place. I would love to go to Japan one of these years before I die.
Great house !! Love it, and garden is gorgeous ❤
I really hope you didn't paint those ceilings. I cannot wrap my head around why some people are determined to do it, but every time I see a home with painted natural wood I cringe.
I hateeee it!
I moved in to my place a few months ago and it had wood panels along floor/ceilings, I’ve been painting every second I get.
That’s a beautiful small house - please please don’t ruin it by over westernizing it 🤦🏼♀️. You will ruin it. Better to buy a house in worse condition if you want to make major changes
Make it as comfortable as you need it to be.
Oh my HECK..... You got so lucky!!! The area isn't deserted, the condition is very nice. Looks like the previous owner had family to clean it before it was closed up. This isn't even crammed with garbage and clutter. It's virtually move-in ready. And don't worry too much about being lonely. Being so close to touristy spots, you'll have thru-traffic if the neighbors are slow to warm up to you. And the community winter time work will keep you firmly connected to everyone there. And the upstairs of the shed you can use for drying if you like preserving or canning your own. In the winter it's likely very cold. So you could insulate the whole thing, use it for hobbies or repair work.....
The family moved out the day I moved it. The owner was the person who showed me around his home during the inspection day
Woah this is great!! I am envious!!!!
You got a really nice deal there : ) Ill watch the follow up videos too.
Also its fun to see that youre enjoying it all throughout the video!!!
All the best!
Thanks! I’m loving it!! :)
I' m so happy for you Bro .Really sweet house . Good luck .
The house looks so bright, airy, inviting, very nice good job
Love it, congratulations !
I love your house! Enjoyed your video!
Small snow blower would help and maybe insulate the storage building? Your home is beautiful.
Lovely house in a lovely village ❤ congratulations
Amazing! cant wait to see how you will transform the place
Thank you! Will keep updating!
This is legit a dream from me. Just buying a House in Japan and renovating it for its best. Btw im kind of sad that you want to take out so many doors ( i love the traditional japanese style). I hope your project is going well❤
@@im.mattguy when you say 10min. to ski resort, do you mean local bus or driving a car? is there a public bus you can take to ski resort? How many kms is it from your area? i might want to look for a temp. PERMANENT housing, i wouldn't mind taking a ebike or a 4x4 electric buggy?
That property is awesome! Love it, enjoy!
Wow!! You hit the jackpot 🎰 This is really nice. I would do up the upstairs of the shed, insulate and get a cooling & heating system and have it be a rental come skiing season!! Or during the summer too ~ wow, even the things left behind are in pretty good shape!!
AMAZING! This has major potential!
What a great deal you got, that house is amazing. You're a lucky man, just hope the winters and all the snow you are expecting will not be too overwhelming for you. Good luck in your renovations, I plan to follow along and see how things go. I find this all very interesting.
First winter was so awesome :)
Great buy! Congratulations. I love it.
Thanks so much!
Not just the house, but the SHED!!! Amazing deal.
What a lovely house! For some people home ownership is just a dream. Congratulations!
Thanks to recommend the website where you found such properties! May do the same with you in 2024!
New subbie from IG! Im glad you’re now on YT! Ganbatte ne! 🇯🇵 ❤
Thank you!
Wow!! That’s it!? You paid 6000 for the stuff & they through in the house!
Is this “normal” there? Absolutely amazing!! Congratulations!! Best deal I’ve Ever heard of!!
It’s been awesome!
Congratz and thanks for sharing 💙
It’s amazing that you bought it so cheap.
Wow what a great deal ! Congratulations. Are the walls and ceiling insulated very well because you mentioned how cold it gets in winter ?