An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Erik Buhrow, who bought a house in Japan's Niigata Prefecture through AkiyaMart ...

and doing this in Japan seemed feasible, especially considering that the country has 8.5 million akiya, or abandoned houses, in rural areas for sale. It helped that Evan also speaks Japanese ...

There are no bears here." Guy — now a content creator who makes videos about off-the-beaten-path destinations in Japan — lives in the house with his partner, who's Japanese. The house was ...