# This Single-Mom Nurse Bought a Dream Vacation Home Near Tokyo Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5L8hzVpJ10 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/m5L8hzVpJ10 Generated: 2025-12-10T12:03:58.941+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview A single mother and nurse from California successfully purchased and renovated a vacation home in Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, for a total cost of approximately $150,000 (¥16 million purchase + ¥5 million renovation), motivated by the desire for a peaceful, nature-filled retreat close to Disneyland and to support her family back in the Philippines. **Key Points:** - The buyer, Shirley, is a single mother and RN supervisor from Glendale, California, who purchased a vacation home in Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. - The total investment for the property was approximately ¥23 million (about $150,000 USD), comprising a ¥16 million purchase price and a ¥5 million ($35,000 USD) renovation. - The two-story house is located 7 minutes from Kimitsu Station and is situated across from a local park, which was a key deciding factor. - The renovation preserved some traditional Japanese elements, such as the shoji screens and tatami rooms (three 6-tatami rooms mentioned), while updating the kitchen and living spaces with modern wood paneling. - Shirley owns seven other properties in the Philippines (all single-family homes, all paid off) and two ADUs in Glendale, California, which provide income to support her family. - She emphasized the importance of having a supportive relationship, like the one she built with the Akeiya Hunters team, for successful international property acquisition. - Her primary motivation for the Japan purchase was to have a beautiful place near Disneyland for her grandson. ![Screenshot at 00:01: The video opens with an aerial view of the blue-sided Japanese home in Kimitsu, Chiba, overlaid with a large graphic indicating the purchase price was $110,000, setting the stage for a story about an affordable overseas property acquisition.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/m5L8hzVpJ10/00-00-01.png) **Context:** The video documents an interview conducted by Shu Matsuo of Akeiya Hub with Shirley, a single mother and registered nurse supervisor from Glendale, California. Shirley decided to purchase a property in Japan as a vacation home for her family, specifically valuing its proximity to Tokyo Disneyland and the surrounding natural environment. The interview focuses on her purchasing journey, the costs involved, the features of the renovated Japanese home, and her philosophy on life and investment across the three countries where she holds property (USA, Philippines, Japan). ## Detailed Analysis The video tells the inspiring story of Shirley, a single mother and RN supervisor from Glendale, California, who purchased and renovated a vacation home in Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, for a total outlay of about $150,000. The property was bought for ¥16 million ($110K) and received ¥5 million ($35K) in renovations. Shirley, who has lived in the US since 1992 after leaving the Philippines in 1980, manages a large 800-bed hospital unit and teaches nursing students on weekends, but she values investing in real estate over volatile stocks. She decided on this Kimitsu property because it was close to Disneyland (a factor for her grandson), near the coast, and featured a park directly across the street—amenities she felt were unattainable for the price in the greater LA area, where properties cost over $1 million. The renovated house maintains traditional Japanese elements, including tatami rooms, while incorporating modern updates like wood paneling and new fixtures (kitchen, bathrooms). Shirley emphasizes that her success stems from her 'go getter' attitude and a principle of gratitude, stating that if others can achieve something, she can do it better. She currently owns seven single-family rental properties in the Philippines (all paid off) and two ADUs in Glendale, CA, which she uses to support her family back home. ### Property Acquisition & Cost - Purchase price was ¥16 million ($110,000); renovation cost ¥5 million ($35,000), totaling approximately ¥23 million ($150,000) all-in cost - House is a two-story structure built in 1981 - Located 11 minutes from Kimitsu station and across from a local park (Nakano Minami Park) - Features include five bedrooms (three tatami rooms) and two bathrooms. ### Buyer Background & Motivation - Shirley is a single mother, RN supervisor in Pasadena, CA, who moved to the US in 1992 after working in the Middle East since 1980 - Her primary motivation for buying in Japan was to have a vacation home close to Disneyland for her grandson - She owns seven paid-off single-family rentals in the Philippines and two ADUs in Glendale, CA. ### Investment Philosophy & Advice - Shirley prefers real estate investment (housing/rentals) over stocks due to stability ('it progresses' vs. stocks going 'up and down') - Her principle is: 'If they can do it, you can do it better' and 'If you don't gamble, you're never going to win' - She stressed the importance of having someone trustworthy to assist with international transactions. ### Interview Highlights - Shirley expressed deep gratitude for the purchase experience and confirmed she plans to buy another property in Japan before retiring from her nursing career. ![Screenshot at 00:00: The host introduces the blue-sided Japanese house in Kimitsu, pointing towards it while announcing the $110,000 price tag.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/m5L8hzVpJ10/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:17: A graphic overlay displaying the purchase price \(¥16 million / $110,000\) and renovation cost \(¥5 million / $35,000\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/m5L8hzVpJ10/00-00-17.png) ![Screenshot at 00:23: Interior shot of the renovated space showing warm wood paneling and large sliding glass doors, illustrating the transformation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/m5L8hzVpJ10/00-00-23.png) ![Screenshot at 00:55: Shirley, the owner from California, proudly points to her newly purchased Japanese home.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/m5L8hzVpJ10/00-00-55.png) ![Screenshot at 05:03: The host and Shirley discuss the property while sitting by a large window overlooking the park across the street.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/m5L8hzVpJ10/00-05-03.png)