# This Foreigner Couple Bought a Massive Japanese House in Niigata Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kus7NfN8AJo Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/Kus7NfN8AJo Generated: 2025-11-19T12:34:43.087+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The American couple, Rick and Karen from New Jersey, successfully purchased a massive, two-story traditional Japanese house in Wano, Niigata Prefecture, for ¥16.8 million ($117,000 USD), a process significantly eased by AkiyaHub's clear guidance, which included navigating the local area known for heavy snow and unique features like multiple toilets and solar panels. **Key Points:** - The couple purchased a massive, two-story traditional Japanese house located in Wano, Niigata Prefecture. - The purchase price was ¥16.8 million, equating to approximately $117,000 USD at the time. - The location is near Tsubamesanjo Station (a 6-minute walk) and is known for heavy snow, which the house is equipped to handle. - The house features several unique elements, including a traditional tea room with a sunken hearth (ro) and a dedicated wet area (mizuya) for tea preparation. - The property has four toilets (one old-style, three renovated), solar panels generating income by selling power back to the grid, and a two-car-sized garage. - The entire purchase process was made significantly easier and transparent due to the assistance provided by AkiyaHub, which managed the complex steps and provided clear timelines. - The buyers, who are sake enthusiasts, plan to use the house as a vacation home and intend to conduct renovations, especially in the dated kitchen. ![Screenshot at 00:13: The American buyers, Rick and Karen from New Jersey, pose in front of the massive, traditional Japanese house they recently purchased in Niigata, marked with a 'SOLD' stamp.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-00-13.png) **Context:** The video documents the final stages of purchasing an 'akiya' (vacant Japanese house) in Niigata Prefecture by an American couple, Rick and Karen, from New Jersey. The host, Shu Matsuo (Co-Founder of AkiyaHub), meets the couple in Tokyo before they take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata. The couple shares their motivation for buying in Niigata—its reputation for sake breweries and the beautiful scenery—and details the unique features of the 1981-built, 240 sqm house, which they bought for ¥16.8 million. ## Detailed Analysis The video covers the final meeting and tour of the massive Japanese house purchased by Rick and Karen from New Jersey. The journey involved taking the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Tsubamesanjo Station (less than two hours), followed by a 23-minute drive to the property in Wano, Niigata Prefecture. The house, built in 1981, sits on 340 sqm of land with 240 sqm of living space. The couple was particularly drawn to the house's traditional features, such as the wide engawa (veranda) overlooking a garden, and the presence of a traditional tea room complete with a sunken hearth (ro) and dedicated preparation area (mizuya). They noted several modern upgrades, including three renovated toilets (one with a modern washlet), floor heating in the bathroom, and multiple solar panels which generate income by selling power back to the grid. They also pointed out the two-car garage and extensive built-in storage. The couple found the entire purchase process, which involved many steps, much easier thanks to AkiyaHub's transparency and clear organizational structure, noting they would not have managed the complex transaction on their own. The house is described as having many unique, beautiful details, including different carved woods in each room. ### Travel to Niigata - Travel involved a Shinkansen ride from Tokyo to Tsubamesanjo Station (under 2 hours), followed by a 23-minute drive to the house in Wano, Niigata Prefecture. ### Property Overview & Size - The house is massive (240 sqm living space on 340 sqm land), built in 1981, and well-maintained; the couple plans renovations, especially for the kitchen. ### Unique Traditional Features - House includes a spacious genkan with a stone water feature, a traditional tea room with a sunken hearth (ro) and a dedicated preparation area (mizuya), and beautiful woodwork throughout. ### Modern Amenities & Practicalities - The property features solar panels that generate income by selling power back to the grid, floor heating in the renovated bathroom, a two-car garage, and four toilets (one old-style, three renovated). ### The Purchase Process - The couple praised AkiyaHub for making the process transparent, clearly laying out every step, which was crucial because they are not fluent in Japanese and the region's unique aspects (like the remoteness and local features) were unfamiliar. ### Buyer Background & Future - The buyers (Rick, an IT professional, and Karen, an English teacher) are sake enthusiasts who plan to use the house as a vacation home and will be renovating it. ![Screenshot at 00:04: Host Shu Matsuo introduces the video topic outside Tokyo Station, announcing the journey to Niigata.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-00-04.png) ![Screenshot at 00:10: Map illustrating the Shinkansen route from Tokyo to Tsubamesanjo Station in Niigata Prefecture.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-00-10.png) ![Screenshot at 00:13: Rick and Karen, the American buyers from New Jersey, stand in front of their newly purchased traditional Japanese home.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-00-13.png) ![Screenshot at 02:05: The host stands outside the purchased house in Wano, pointing out its traditional exterior, including the wooden fence and tiered rooflines.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-02-05.png) ![Screenshot at 03:23: Confetti celebrates the arrival of Rick and Karen inside the genkan \(entrance hall\) of the traditional home.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-03-23.png) ![Screenshot at 03:45: Inside the entryway, the host points out the spacious, traditional wooden structure and the beautiful engawa \(veranda\) overlooking the garden.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-03-45.png) ![Screenshot at 06:41: The group kneels around a removed tatami section revealing a traditional sunken hearth \(ro\) used for heating or cooking, which the owners found particularly special.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-06-41.png) ![Screenshot at 08:19: A view inside one of the renovated bathrooms, showing a modern electric toilet with heated seating.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-08-19.png) ![Screenshot at 11:22: View from inside the house looking out at the roof, clearly showing the installed solar panels, a feature the couple loved.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-11-22.png) ![Screenshot at 13:38: A graphic overlay highlights the key data: Built in 1981, Land Space: 340 sqm, Living Space: 240 sqm.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/Kus7NfN8AJo/00-13-38.png)