Hilary Tang and Seven Friends Buy Hiroshima Akiya for 17,000 Euros
Hilary Tang, a 23-year-old graduate of Minerva University in San Francisco, purchased an abandoned Japanese house in Hiroshima for just over 11,000 dollars—nearly 10,000 euros—alongside seven friends immediately after completing her studies. The group finalized the deal at the end of July and received the keys on August 6, overcoming initial resistance from investors who hesitated to back the unconventional venture. The acquisition targets a total budget under 20,000 dollars, equivalent to roughly 17,000 euros for the entire project.
Strategic Criteria Behind the Hiroshima Property Choice
The city offered close proximity to an international airport for foreign members, a favorable local climate, and a lower natural disaster risk compared to alternative regions.
The acquired property measures approximately 315 square meters of living space, featuring nine traditional tatami-mat rooms and two Western-style rooms, surrounded by nearly 500 square meters of land. The final negotiated purchase price reached 1.8 million yen—about 11,371 dollars—with agency fees and taxes pushing total acquisition costs to 2.3 million yen.
Minor Repairs Foster Group Bonding Among Friends
The previous owner passed away five years prior to the sale, leaving the structure in pristine condition and eliminating the need for major structural overhauls. The friends handled minor upkeep themselves, including painting walls, repairing light fixtures and window curtains, and installing essential air conditioning and fire alarms.
The months of manual labor turned into an exercise in group bonding. You discover sides of people you didn’t know,
Tang explained. Everyone has skills to offer. A friend of ours helped us paint the bathroom wall: he wanted to paint Mount Fuji, but none of us knew how to paint. So I’m really glad he came to help us.
An art-expert friend also joined the group to catalog items left behind inside the residence.
Long-Term Plans for the Abandoned Japanese Home
The buyers intend to use the property primarily as a private, collective decompression space where members can escape everyday pressures. The group gathers in Hiroshima on a monthly basis. We wanted to create a place where we could always return when life got a bit too overwhelming,
Tang stated. A place where each of us could take a break, have some space for ourselves, and take time to process what was happening in life.
While the group has discussed listing the property on Airbnb to offset annual maintenance expenses, personal use remains the central priority. The primary goal is maintaining a shared retreat to alleviate stress and provide personal downtime for all participants.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hiroshima Akiya Purchase
How much did the group spend in total on the Hiroshima property?
The initial purchase price was 1.8 million yen, or roughly 11,371 dollars, with total costs reaching 2.3 million yen after taxes and agency fees, keeping the entire operation well under their 20,000-dollar ceiling.
What is the layout and size of the acquired house?
The property spans about 315 square meters of interior space, including nine tatami rooms and two Western-style rooms, sitting on nearly 500 square meters of land.
How often do the buyers visit the Japanese property?
The friends gather at the Hiroshima house regularly, meeting there once a month to decompress and take a break from their daily routines.
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