# I Went Akiya Hunting in Tokyo’s Ultra Rich Neighborhood Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbkgZCiW-fo Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/BbkgZCiW-fo Generated: 2025-12-03T12:33:51.568+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The creator ran for one hour through Tokyo's Minato-ku, documenting 13 visibly abandoned houses (akiya) despite it being one of the wealthiest and fanciest wards, contrasting this with the low count found in Chiyoda and Shinjuku, and showcasing the high real estate values in the area, such as a 56 sqm house listed for ¥119 million ($765,000) and another for ¥198 million ($1.3 million). **Key Points:** - The creator completed a 6-mile run in one hour through Minato-ku specifically to find visibly abandoned houses (akiya). - The run resulted in finding 13 akiya, which the creator considered a surprisingly high number for such a wealthy and exclusive area, noting that Minato-ku has approximately 270,000 residents. - The creator compared this count to previous runs, noting Minato-ku had more akiya than Chiyoda but slightly less than Shinjuku. - One specific abandoned house found in Shirokane (Minato-ku) was listed for sale at ¥119 million ($765,000) with 56 sqm of living space, built in 1987. - Another property in Roppongi, listed for ¥198 million ($1.3 million), was highlighted for its prime location near Roppongi Hills and Roppongi Station. - The video briefly showed a prior expensive condo unit in the area listed for $5 million and mentioned the creator previously lived in Shirokane, which was very expensive. - The video concluded with the creator having found 12 akiya in Minato-ku during the 60-minute run, planning to cover another ward for 60 minutes in the next episode. ![Screenshot at 00:03: The creator stands in front of Zojoji Temple with Tokyo Tower visible in the background, establishing the setting in Minato-ku, Tokyo, before starting the one-hour akiya hunting run.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BbkgZCiW-fo/00-00-03.png) **Context:** The video documents the third episode of a series called the "Tokyo Akiya Marathon," where the creator runs for 60 minutes in a specific Tokyo ward to count how many visibly abandoned houses (akiya) they can find. This episode focuses on Minato-ku, described as one of Tokyo's richest and fanciest neighborhoods, home to areas like Roppongi and Shirokane. The creator also uses this opportunity to show the contrast between these expensive areas and the presence of neglected properties, while also sharing personal history regarding living in Shirokane. ## Detailed Analysis The creator undertakes a one-hour run through Minato-ku, Tokyo, as part of the 'Tokyo Akiya Marathon' series to find abandoned homes (akiya). Minato-ku is established as Tokyo's richest and fanciest ward, home to Roppongi and Shirokane, and housing 81 embassies out of Japan's 130 total. The creator previously lived in Shirokane and recalls that the area is very expensive, with rent consuming almost half their salary at the time. During the 60-minute run, the creator successfully counts 12 akiya, which they find surprising given the area's wealth, noting the count is higher than Chiyoda but less than Shinjuku. Specific properties are highlighted: one abandoned house in Shirokane was listed for ¥119 million ($765,000), featuring 56 sqm of living space and built in 1987. Another was a 3-story, 5LDK property near Roppongi Station listed for ¥198 million ($1.3 million). The creator also recalls featuring a $5 million condo unit previously. The high density of expensive, modern buildings and proximity to nightlife in Roppongi contrast sharply with the neglected appearance of the found akiya, although the final property they examine is a newer-looking house for sale, not an official akiya. The video concludes after the 6-mile run, with the creator planning to visit another ward next. ### Akiya Marathon Setup & Context - The creator sets out to run for 60 minutes in Minato-ku to find abandoned homes (akiya) for the third episode of the series - Minato-ku is described as the richest/fanciest ward, housing 81 embassies - The creator used an Insta360 Go Ultra camera for filming the run. ### Minato-ku Demographics & Wealth - Minato-ku has approximately 270,000 residents, which is less than 2% of Tokyo's 12-13 million people, making it quite exclusive - The creator previously lived in Shirokane, finding it very expensive (rent took half their salary). ### Akiya Findings in Shirokane/Minato - The creator found 7 akiya in the first part of the run, including an old wooden structure and an apartment complex that looked abandoned - The first listed property found was a 2DK house, built in 1987, with 56 sqm living space, listed for ¥119 million ($765,000) - The second listed property was a 3-story house near Roppongi Station, listed for ¥198 million ($1.3 million). ### Roppongi Exploration & Conclusion - The creator moves towards Roppongi, noting the area is full of luxury cars and high-end businesses like Lamborghini - The creator spotted several more abandoned-looking structures, bringing the final count to 12 akiya found in Minato-ku within the hour - The run concluded after one hour (just over six miles), with the next episode planned for a new ward. ![Screenshot at 00:03: The creator begins the challenge in Minato-ku, standing before Zojoji Temple with Tokyo Tower in the background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BbkgZCiW-fo/00-00-03.png) ![Screenshot at 00:29: A graphic displays the national and Tokyo akiya statistics: Japan has 9,000,000 akiya, and Tokyo has about 647,000.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BbkgZCiW-fo/00-00-29.png) ![Screenshot at 01:01: The creator shows the Insta360 Go Ultra camera they are using, noting it is better for running than their previous DJI Osmo.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BbkgZCiW-fo/00-01-01.png) ![Screenshot at 02:38: The creator runs past a multi-story building in Shirokane, one of the wealthy areas in Minato-ku, while reflecting on the high cost of living there previously.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BbkgZCiW-fo/00-02-38.png) ![Screenshot at 07:37: The second-to-last akiya found, a severely dilapidated wooden structure, is counted, bringing the total to 7 at that moment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/BbkgZCiW-fo/00-07-37.png)