Historic Osaka office building demolished and sold to developer
A landmark heritage building alongside Dojima River in Osaka is under demolition by a local developer. Demolition started in April 2023 with completion expected by late October.Read more
Historic home in Kagoshima finds new owner
A local equipment leasing company has stepped in and saved a historic home in Kagoshima from demolition. The former Fujitake Residence had been owned and operated by the Kagoshima Prefecture Education Center Preservation Foundation since 1960 and used as a staff dormitory. The foundation was no longer using the home and struggling with maintenance costs. Read more
MUJI converts 100-yr old farmhouse into holiday rental
Home goods retailer MUJI’s operating company Ryohin Keikaku has converted a traditional kominka farmhouse into a short-term stay. Muji Base Kamogawa is the first of the Muji Base-branded accommodations targeting vacant ‘akiya’ and can be found on AirBnb.Read more
315-yr old residence converted into corporate retreat
A 315-year old samurai residence in Kamakura has been converted into a training retreat by a local business support organization.Read more
City steps in to preserve historic building in Amagasaki
A 120-year-old building in Amagasaki City has been saved from demolition with the owner donating the building for free to the city. The city will be acquiring the 3,000 sqm of land it sits on within the year.
Osaka to demolish 99-yr old official residence
The Osaka Prefectural government is considering demolishing the 99-year old official prefectural governor's residence. The historic home had been occupied by many governors over the past century but there have been growing concerns over its safety in the event of an earthquake.
Historic school building in Ueno to be demolished
The 94-year-old former Shitaya Elementary School in Ueno will be demolished by Taito ward sometime in 2023. This was one of the ‘revival elementary schools’ built after the devastating 1923 Great Kanto earthquake.
Shrine to convert akiya into tourist lodgings
Hikosan Jingu Shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture is embarking on a plan to convert 10 vacant ‘akiya’ homes into lodgings for tourists. It is hoped this will revitalize the historic streets and help out local souvenir shops and businesses.
Brutalist gymnasium’s future still unclear
The Kenzo Tange-designed Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium may be tumbling closer to demolition as earthquake-retrofitting seems to be more challenging and costly than anticipated.
Heritage-listed house in Hokkaido hits the market
An historic merchant house in Hokkaido has apparently been listed for sale for just 30 million Yen (US$210,000). The heritage-listed Yokoyama Residence was built in the 1860s and later.