The Bamboo Arch

1970s wood house in Okuchimotomachi, Isa

Isa, Kagoshima

Year built
1975
Building size
219.8 sqm
Land size
204.9 sqm
Structure
Wood
On the town's official empty-home register Source: www.city.isa.kagoshima.jp (opens in a new tab) Checked 2026-09-27

From the listing

Charm in the gap between appearance and interior. Hello! I am Fukuda, the Akiya Bank representative. As October arrives, autumn comes to Isa City. On the night of the Fifteenth Moon Festival, I was moved by how beautifully and vividly the full moon appeared. Since moving here, I have felt that the stars shine brilliantly, and in fact Isa City has been named 'Japan's Best Starry Sky' five times in the past! The beautiful night sky season is coming. Please come see Isa's starry sky. This time, a volume-packed property with residential space, commercial space, and a neighboring rental house is featured. Located in Isa's town center in the Okuguchi school district, with the post office within walking distance and an izakaya right in front. Large supermarkets, drugstores, and home centers are within a 5-minute drive, making it an easy place to live. Let me start by showing you the commercial space. This former beauty salon space is neither too large nor too small, just the right size for starting something new. Shampoo basins and perm machines remain as they were. Whether you keep it as a beauty salon, open a café, dance school, yoga studio, or office, or even make it your hobby room, the possibilities seem endless. Besides the shampoo basin and perm machine, there is no other clutter, and the floor and wall condition is good, so initial costs for new use may be kept reasonable. Here is the front entrance of the residential space. A modest entryway with low transition steps to the hallway, non-slip flooring underfoot, and handrails at hand, a gentle entrance for residents. Just to the right of the entrance is the commercial space we saw earlier. If you run a shop here, you can achieve the dream zero-minute commute. A wide living-dining-kitchen spreads before you. The kitchen has a system layout and even includes a dishwasher. Though positioned on the north side, it does not feel dark, natural light enters pleasantly through the many windows. Across from the kitchen is a 6-tatami Japanese room with a charming alcove (tokonoma). The room layout creates a sense of security where family members in different spaces can still hear each other's voices. A study room was quietly tucked away. A study, a room for reading or writing, what a luxurious space! The window arrangement allows natural light to reach the desk, adding to its appeal. Storage space is included, and its proximity to the Japanese room makes it highly practical. The bathroom and bath. The washing machine sits here. The bathtub is a system bath, heated by kerosene. The toilet is very clean, showing little signs of use, it gleams like a new house. A storage space near the toilet is perfect for bathroom items. Every corner of this property reflects a philosophy of 'the right item in the right place.' From the entrance-side stairs, we ascend to the second floor. The second floor has a 10-tatami Western-style room and next to it, a surprisingly spacious Japanese room that was likely used as a dressing room. 'I never imagined such a grand space existed!' The room exceeded all expectations from the exterior. How will you use it? A wonderful dilemma indeed. The Japanese room contains ample storage that once held kimonos and a large mirror (姿見) that remains. The second floor includes a toilet, immaculately clean. There is another small staircase on the same floor, creating a mezzanine level. Beyond the stairs are two 4.5-tatami Western rooms arranged side by side. Built-in shelves spark the imagination. With a wide space for a TV and favorite books, crafts, and records arranged around, this room seems perfect for lingering. A garden with a small, charming vegetable plot and an old orchid greenhouse. The workspace-friendly shelves and functional electrical outlets are appreciated details. Use it as a storehouse, or cultivate succulents and houseplants to sell from the commercial space, many possibilities. Finally, the parking area. I tested the clearance height myself. About 190 centimeters, a typical light van fits snugly. Small cars and low-profile regular vehicles should also fit. How is this volume-packed property? With its favorable location, you could earn rental income from the attached house while running a business, or lease the commercial space too. The main house's room layout, storage arrangement, and window positioning are well-considered, making daily life comfortable. If interested, please contact the real estate agent for a viewing. You too may find yourself charmed by the gap between appearance and interior. Used to be a beauty salon with remaining shampoo basin and perm equipment. System kitchen with dishwasher. Completely renovated bathrooms, immaculate condition. Kerosene-heated system bath. Large storage spaces throughout. Built-in shelves and extensive closets in every room. Mezzanine level creates extra usable space. Garden with vegetable plot and former orchid greenhouse with working electrical outlet. Parking accommodates 2 vehicles (height ~190cm). Property includes neighboring rental house for income potential. This is a used house (akiya), not new construction, so it is not in perfect condition. Please contact the real estate agent and owner to confirm details before viewing and purchase. Confirm absence of water damage, termite damage, water quality if groundwater is included, property boundaries and neighboring relationships, and be aware that wildlife and insects are present in this natural setting.

Specifications

Land size
204.9 sqm
Building size
219.8 sqm
Year built
1975
Structure
Wood
Floors
2
Rooms
1F: 1LDK, 2F: 6R
Gas
None
Water
City water
Sewer
Septic (combined)

Where a detail is not shown, the source listing did not state it. We leave it out rather than guess.

The price in context

The nearest official land-price benchmark is about 19,800 yen per sqm, down about 21% over five years (25,000 to 19,800), which the survey classes as declining.

The asking price works out at about 48,804 yen per sqm of land, 146% above the nearest residential benchmark of about 19,800 yen per sqm.

Source: Japan's Ministry of Land land-price survey. A benchmark for the area, not a valuation of this home.

Official records

Area and hazard data

6 checks clear, 1 to know about. Each check is against a government map for this exact point. Where a map is missing or we can't use it, we say so; that never means there's no risk.

Hazards and ground
Earthquake code
Caution
Built before the 1981 earthquake code. Expect a structural survey, harder mortgages, and a retrofit budget; towns often grant part of that cost.

Source: Estimated from year built

Strong-earthquake chance
Checked, clear
About 3% chance of a strong quake (shindo 6-lower or above) in 30 years, low for Japan, where most places sit between 3% and 26%

Source: National earthquake-hazard model

Landslide risk
Checked, clear
Checked: no designated landslide zone at this location. Zone edges are approximate, and this is not a legal property disclosure document.

Source: Government hazard map

Flood risk
Checked, clear
Checked: outside a mapped flood area. The maps cover designated rivers only, so this is not a promise of no flooding.

Source: Government hazard map

Tsunami risk
Checked, clear
Checked: no designated tsunami inundation zone at this location

Source: Government hazard map

Liquefaction
Checked, clear
Low liquefaction susceptibility for the ground here

Source: National landform survey

Farmland rules
Checked, clear
Checked: not in a designated farmland zone

Source: Government land-use records

A pre-1981 build predates Japan's current earthquake code, which can matter for insurance and renovation. We flag the era from the year built where we have it.

Getting around
Nearest station
Masaki station, about 11.5 km away (Hisatsu Line)
Setting
About 21.1 km to the nearest built-up town area (population about 12,000)
Coast
About 25.3 km from the coast
Schools
primary 0.5 km, junior high 0.8 km, high school 0.8 km
Clinic
About 3 min walk

Location

Area
Isa, Kagoshima
Nearest station
Masaki station, about 11.5 km away (Hisatsu Line)
Setting
About 21.1 km to the nearest built-up town area (population about 12,000)
Coast
About 25.3 km from the coast
Schools
primary 0.5 km, junior high 0.8 km, high school 0.8 km

This marks an approximate area, not the exact building. The circle is a rough radius from the listing's published address, so you can see the neighbourhood without us guessing at a precise spot. The published address only names the neighbourhood.

Rules of this akiya bank

These are the bank's published eligibility rules, not confirmation that your intended use of this home is allowed. Check with the municipality and owner.

We have not established these rules for this listing. Unknown does not mean permitted.

Matched subsidies

Grants and rules

9 programmes in our data could apply to this home, 8 with conditions you would have to meet first. Amounts change every year. Always confirm with the town before you rely on a figure.

  • Isa City Wooden Housing Seismic Diagnosis & Retrofit Subsidy Conditional
    Up to 1,150,000 yen
    What you would need

    Seismic diagnosis: 2/3 subsidy rate, max 60,000 yen. Retrofit work: 8/10 subsidy rate, max 1,150,000 yen (changed July 2025).

    • Must be resident or owner of the wooden house. If owner and resident differ, both must consent. Must not be in default on municipal taxes.
    • Plus 1 more condition on the town's page.

    Official source for Isa City Wooden Housing Seismic Diagnosis & Retrofit Subsidy (opens in a new tab)

  • Migration Support Payment Program Conditional
    Up to 1,000,000 yen
    What you would need

    Base payment for 2+ household members; additional payments available

    • Must have resided cumulatively 5+ years in Tokyo 23 wards within the 10 years before transfer, or resided in Tokyo metropolitan area (excluding designated disadvantaged areas) and commuted to Tokyo 23 wards
    • Plus 2 more conditions on the town's page.

    Official source for Migration Support Payment Program (opens in a new tab)

  • Regional Revitalization Migration Support Program (Household) Conditional
    Up to 1,000,000 yen
    What you would need

    Base amount for household migration: up to 1 million yen. Additional 1 million yen per child under 18 may be added (stackable add-on, not included in base cap).

    • Resident of Tokyo 23 wards or commuting to Tokyo 23 wards from Tokyo Metropolitan Area (excluding disadvantaged regions)
    • Plus 3 more conditions on the town's page.

    Official source for Regional Revitalization Migration Support Program (Household) (opens in a new tab)

  • Tokyo-Area Migration Support Subsidy Conditional
    Up to 1,000,000 yen
    What you would need

    Multi-person household: 1,000,000 yen. Single person: 600,000 yen. Additional 1,000,000 yen per minor (under 18) brought along after 1 April 2023.

    • In 10 years before moving to Isa, spent cumulative 5+ years in Tokyo 23 wards or non-disadvantaged Tokyo metro areas, AND commuted to Tokyo 23 wards
    • Plus 2 more conditions on the town's page.

    Official source for Tokyo-Area Migration Support Subsidy (opens in a new tab)

  • Regional Revitalization Migration Support Program (Single) Conditional
    Up to 600,000 yen
    What you would need

    Base amount for single migration: up to 600,000 yen.

    • Resident of Tokyo 23 wards or commuting to Tokyo 23 wards from Tokyo Metropolitan Area (excluding disadvantaged regions)
    • Plus 3 more conditions on the town's page.

    Official source for Regional Revitalization Migration Support Program (Single) (opens in a new tab)

  • Combined Wastewater Treatment Tank (Septic) Subsidy Conditional
    Up to 548,000 yen
    What you would need

    Base: 332,000 yen (5-person), 414,000 yen (7-person), 548,000 yen (10-person tank). Add 50,000 yen if local contractor used. Additional up to 90,000 yen for removal or up to 150,000 yen for in-house plumbing when converting from septic or pit toilet.

    • Must install combined treatment tank or convert from single-treatment septic or pit toilet

    Official source for Combined Wastewater Treatment Tank (Septic) Subsidy (opens in a new tab)

  • Dangerous Vacant Building Demolition Subsidy Conditional
    Up to 200,000 yen
    What you would need

    20% of eligible demolition costs, capped at 200,000 yen; amounts below 1,000 yen discarded.

    • Must not be in default on city taxes. Must be owner of the dangerous building or delegated by owner to execute demolition.
    • Plus 1 more condition on the town's page.

    Official source for Dangerous Vacant Building Demolition Subsidy (opens in a new tab)

  • Migration & Home Exchange Promotion Subsidy Program Conditional
    Base rate 1/5 of eligible costs capped at 500,000 yen for renovation; additional add-ons for migrants, age, families with children, and small settlements when base costs exceed 2.5 million yen.
    What you would need
    • Migrant: resided continuously outside the municipality for 10+ years AND transferred to Isa within 3 years before application or by end of the application fiscal year
    • Plus 3 more conditions on the town's page.

    Official source for Migration & Home Exchange Promotion Subsidy Program (opens in a new tab)

  • Hazard-Proximity Dangerous House Relocation Subsidy Unlikely for most buyers
    Demolition/relocation: max 975,000 yen. Construction/purchase/renovation: interest subsidy on loans (max 8.5% annual rate). Land acquisition: max 2,060,000 yen. Site development: max 608,000 yen.
    What you would need
    • Must demolish and relocate, or construct/purchase/renovate replacement housing

    Official source for Hazard-Proximity Dangerous House Relocation Subsidy (opens in a new tab)

Work with us

Interested in this house?

This prefecture has a licensed, English speaking agent on the ground. Send the form below and it reaches them and us together. Free to ask, and nothing to pay until you decide to go ahead.

  1. 1Tell us where you are and what you would use it for.
  2. 2We check the home and the town's rules with you, free.
  3. 3If you go ahead, Szuwen (Steven) Huang handles the purchase in Japan for a flat fee.

Szuwen (Steven) Huang

KORYOYA LLC

More about Steven
Licensed in JapanSpeaks EnglishCovers Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and 5 more

Ask about a viewing, renovation costs, the records above, or how buying works from abroad.

Goes to Szuwen (Steven) Huang and to us.

12 other homes currently listed in Isa.

Before you buy

Where this data comes from

Every fact on this page comes from the town's own listing or an official government record, checked for this address. Where a fact is missing, we say so rather than guess.

  • Landslide-risk areas, from Japan's Ministry of Land mapping data (KSJ A33).
  • Flood-risk areas, from Japan's Ministry of Land mapping data (KSJ A31a).
  • Tsunami-risk areas, from Japan's Ministry of Land mapping data (KSJ A40).
  • Earthquake-hazard forecast, from the national J-SHIS model (2024).
  • Farmland rules, from Japan's Ministry of Land mapping data (KSJ A12).
  • Stations, coastline and schools, from Japan's Ministry of Land mapping data.
  • Official land prices, from Japan's Ministry of Land land-price survey.

Map data: National Land Numerical Information (Kokudo Suchi Joho), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, processed by Engawa.

出典:「国土数値情報」(国土交通省)(https://nlftp.mlit.go.jp/ksj/)をEngawaが加工して作成

Checked against the town's listing
Checked against the town's listing: 2026-09-27
Source listing last changed
Source listing last changed: 2026-05-28

We re-check listings against their sources through the week. Where a fact is missing, we say so rather than guess. Data from the source listing plus official government records.

10,000,000 yen

(approx. GBP 47,000)

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