Historic home in Kagoshima to be demolished

A historic and heritage-listed home in Kagoshima City will be demolished by the end of this year after a six-year attempt to save it.

Read more


Tenant sought for 95-year old historic home in Tokyo

Tokyo City is looking for a new tenant for the historic Ogasawara Residence in Shinjuku. The Spanish-style home was built in 1927 for Count Nagayoshi Ogasawara (1885-1935).

Read more


90+ year old home in Yokohama being restored

The new owner of a historic home in Yokohama is carrying out a full restoration. The Yamate 133 Ban-Kan residence was built sometime around 1930 and initially occupied by the Rising Sun Oil Corporation (a predecessor of Shell).

Read more


Modernist building in Kobe to be demolished

The Kobe Bankers Association will be demolishing its modernist building and replacing it with a new one by 2025.

Read more


Historic 103-yr old hotel in Kobe sold

On March 7, Sanyo Electric Railway announced the sale of the historic former Maiko Hotel in Kobe City.

Read more


What is the lifespan of a house or apartment in Japan?

[Left] The Okuno Building (former Ginza Apartments), c1932; [Center] Warou Flat in Roppongi, c1930 ~ 1937; [Right] The 165+ year old Hosoda Residence in Nakano.

Do Japanese homes only last 30 years before they need to be torn down? Will you be kicked out of your apartment when the building reaches a certain age? There are a lot of tropes floating about regarding the lifespan of Japanese buildings, and the majority of these stories are based on incorrect information.

Read more


The last Dojunkai house of Ogikubo to be demolished

A traditional Japanese home north of Ogikubo Station will ultimately be demolished as the owner prepares to sell to a real estate developer. The single-family home and garden will be replaced with five new houses.

Read more