Wood house in Shiga (cc)
Wood house in Shiga
Maibara, Shiga
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Location
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.
Full description
Bright location along a historic street, excellent convenience with proximity to interchanges, major stations, and the city center. A sturdy traditional Japanese house built with materials now difficult to obtain. A carefully maintained home passed down with care. Endless possibilities for how to live in it and use it! Ideal number of rooms for large families or business use. Streetside locations evoke images of a bright, lively, open area where travelers have long passed through. Though vacant for some time, the owner regularly maintains the property, keeping it clean inside and out. The owner recalls this was their parents' pride and joy. Their father, skilled in evaluating wood, specifically chose gable-roof (kirizuma) construction for superior durability. The gable roof features a ridge peak descending to form an inverted-V shape, sturdy, well-balanced, and beautiful. Cypress columns and beams are used throughout; the main post is Japanese zelkova, both materials now rarely obtainable. Bengara insect-repellent paint remains beautifully preserved; sand-textured alcove, retro-patterned sliding doors, a pendulum clock and other Showa-era design touches are charming. Large entrance earthen floor and a partially unfinished second floor. Part of the 2nd floor has no interior finishing, with exposed heavy beams. Seeing the attic space and earthen walls exposed sparks renovation ideas in many visitors. The 2nd floor contains 5 rooms including unfinished spaces; they can be opened into large areas, accommodate many children's rooms, or if you're enterprising about a guesthouse, yield multiple single rooms conveniently. Behind the main house stands a large two-story storage building, mostly unfinished, usable as-is for storage, agricultural equipment, or renovated incrementally for a hobby space, workshop, cafe, rental space, or guest house. Even simply living here offers the luxury of a leisurely country life, yet the possibilities for work ventures are abundant depending on your ideas. The owner warmly recalls: 'This is a region with longtime village festivals, sports days, and strong neighbor bonds. Having welcomed travelers historically, residents warmly welcome newcomers. I'd like to entrust this to someone who will cherish it.' On interview day, despite our group's enthusiastic arrival, the owner greeted us with calm smiles and strong character. They noted how much their parents loved this home and hoped the next person would care for it as they did. We're actively seeking someone to enjoy the countryside while maintaining this special property! A home loved by its owner, cared for over years, it cannot be a bad property! Perfect for guest houses, shared offices, cafes, or simply living. We hope to find someone who will maintain and pass it down with care.
Specifications
Where a detail is not shown, the source listing did not state it. We leave it out rather than guess.
Area and hazard data
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.
Work with us
Every message gets a reply from one of the founders. We can talk through the home, help you think about a renovation, and connect you with our Japan partner for buying help. Clear flat-fee pricing, nothing to pay until you decide to go ahead.
Checked against the town's listing: 2026-08-01
Source listing last changed: 2026-07-22
We re-check listings against their sources through the week.
Original listing: https://koisuru-akiya.com/information/list195
Where a fact is missing, we say so rather than guess. Data from the source listing plus official government records.