Blog

Stories, lessons, and practical tips from restoring a forgotten 1980s akiya in Setagaya, Tokyo.

2026-03-28

How We Cleared 200kg of Pebbles From Our Akiya Garden (And What It Cost)

We needed to clear 200kg of pebbles and overgrown plants from our akiya's outdoor space. The first quote was ¥300,000. We ended up paying ¥16,000. Here's what we learned.

2026-03-25

What It Really Takes to Restore an Akiya in Tokyo

From finding an abandoned 1980s wooden house to making it seismically compliant and beautiful again — the real costs, timeline, and lessons of akiya restoration in Tokyo.