Akiya Banks in Japan
Akiya banks are databases where vacant or abandoned homes (known as akiya in Japanese) are listed for sale. These platforms allow homeowners and local governments to advertise properties, and give prospective buyers a way to browse and purchase homes—many of them located in rural or regional areas across Japan.
National Akiya Banks
Currently, there are two main nationwide akiya databases in Japan:
These platforms are operated by major real estate portal sites that have been officially selected by the Japanese government. However, they are not comprehensive. They don’t necessarily list the same properties, or even all the available homes in a given area.
This discrepancy highlights an important point: there is no unified national akiya system—not even in Japanese. Each platform pulls listings from local governments that opt in, but participation is not mandatory.
Local Akiya Banks
Many prefectures and municipalities maintain their own akiya bank websites. These are often more complete or frequently updated than the national sites.
Cities, towns, and villages may also maintain their own akiya banks, which are not necessarily linked to the prefectural or national databases. This can lead to a fragmented system where the same property may appear on one site, but not another—or might only be listed on a town’s website.
Because there’s no centralized national system, searching for vacant homes can be a bit of a maze. That’s why I’ve compiled this comprehensive list of akiya bank links, organized by prefecture.
Happy hunting and good luck finding your dream home in Japan!
Pro tip – Most akiya bank websites are only available in Japanese. If you’re not fluent, using Google Chrome’s built-in translation feature or Google Translate can help you navigate these pages more easily.