Akiya Property all the rage - anyone buying one?

[kuma]

Not technically an akiya, but in the summer I bought a 50yo house in small-town Hokkaido, called time on my UAE adventure halfway through the 2yr contract, and moved back to Japan.

[RayC]

Hi! We bought a 25-year used house (so an akiya technically since it was not lived in for more than 1 year) in Hachioji, Tokyo. Need to renovate (or reform as its called in Japan) as things were never improved on in the house. Will like to add insulation and hopefully, earthquake reinforcement in the future if it makes financial sense. Any suggestions on insulation and earthquake service providers in the Tokyo/Saitama/Kanagawa area?

[RetireJapan]

Hi! We bought a 25-year used house (so an akiya technically since it was not lived in for more than 1 year) in Hachioji, Tokyo. Need to renovate (or reform as its called in Japan) as things were never improved on in the house. Will like to add insulation and hopefully, earthquake reinforcement in the future if it makes financial sense. Any suggestions on insulation and earthquake service providers in the Tokyo/Saitama/Kanagawa area?

We renovated my in-laws' place a few years ago. Basically rebuilt it within the existing shell. Most house builders will be able to do it, you should start talking to them and get quotes. We eventually went for a local 工務店 who did a good job (they were not experienced with the kind of insulation I wanted but were willing to learn and bring in specialist companies to help). Very happy with the work, but it was expensive.

[AreTheyTheLemmings?]

the kind of insulation I wanted

What was so different about the kind insulation you wanted that a komuten couldn't handle it themselves?

[RetireJapan]

the kind of insulation I wanted

What was so different about the kind insulation you wanted that a komuten couldn't handle it themselves?

We wanted it to be properly airtight and use heat exchange mechanical ventilation. Basically almost passivhaus standard.

The company we went with brought in specialists to do that part of the job.

[AreTheyTheLemmings?]

the kind of insulation I wanted

What was so different about the kind insulation you wanted that a komuten couldn't handle it themselves?

We wanted it to be properly airtight and use heat exchange mechanical ventilation. Basically almost passivhaus standard.

The company we went with brought in specialists to do that part of the job.

Interesting. What does that look like in your place? I ask that because I seem to recall reading somewhere on this forum that you lived in a manshon, but my impression of mechanical heat exchange ventilation systems is based solely on stand-alone-house examples.
(Sorry for all the questions... just curious.)

[RetireJapan]

Interesting. What does that look like in your place? I ask that because I seem to recall reading somewhere on this forum that you lived in a manshon, but my impression of mechanical heat exchange ventilation systems is based solely on stand-alone-house examples.
(Sorry for all the questions... just curious.)

It's my wife's parents' place (as written in the post above)

There are two ceiling units (one for each floor) which bring in fresh air from the outside, filter it, and use the stale air from inside to adjust the temperature of the air coming in.

[AreTheyTheLemmings?]

It's my wife's parents' place (as written in the post above)

Doh!

[banders]

Absolutely not. In this house that my in-laws built in 1990, my bedroom was 8C this morning, only 4 degrees higher than outside. I like modern things.

[captainspoke]

We sleep in an unheated bedroom. Whatever it is outside is likely the temp that it is in that room--maybe a degree or two warmer due to retained heat from the day? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Downstairs we leave one heater on low 24/7. Turn that one up and another turned on when we get up.