Keep searching ...

Tomo and I have been scouring the country side nearly every weekend and free day we have. Unfortunately its is much harder than expected. First of all Estate Agents are not interested in dealing with old buildings, as they make little profit with them, while having the same work.

Secondly often small things spoil a potential good candidate: Maybe a pachinko parlour nearby, or a noisy road in the distance, or someone build an incredibly ugly house just in front. We also must consider required repairs, and climate as well - a house in Niigata may experience up to 4 metres of snow in Winter, and may be difficult to access.

Many of such houses are not connected to public services, and require plumbing, electricity and gas connection, as well as structural improvements, insulation, a new roof and a cleanup of all the garbage that is dumped on the property.

So far we have found a few that may be considered, but we are not in love yet. So, the search must continue...