Japan’s Most Frugal Woman Buys 3 Houses by 34 Living On Just $1.40 a Day

In a country where owning even one home feels out of reach for many, one woman in Japan has shocked the internet by doing the impossible: she bought three houses by the age of 34—all while living on just $1.40 a day for food.

Her name is Saki Tamogami, and she’s now being called “Japan’s most frugal woman.” Her story first went viral after being featured on the TV show Happy! Bomby Girl, where people couldn’t believe how extreme—but effective—her saving methods were.

Living Cheap, Saving Big

Saki made a promise to herself at just 19: she’d buy three homes before she turned 35. Most people would’ve laughed at that goal, but she meant it—and she lived like it.

To save money, she kept her food budget at 200 yen (around $1.40) a day. We’re talking toast, udon noodles, and lots of cheap radishes. On a fancy day, she might add a bit of jam or a small piece of salmon. She even skipped buying plates or bowls—eating straight out of the pot to save on dishes.

She didn’t buy new clothes, instead using hand-me-downs from family. Her furniture? Picked up off the street. She didn’t spend money on hair treatments either—and when her hair got long enough, she’d sell it for about 3,100 yen (roughly $20) to help cover living expenses.

From Budget Queen to Real Estate Boss

After university, Saki worked at a real estate agency and kept saving every yen. By age 27, she bought her first home in Saitama, just north of Tokyo, for 10 million yen (about $69,000). She rented it out, used the income to help pay the mortgage, and two years later, she bought her second property for 18 million yen.

By 2019, she hit her goal: a third house, this one costing 37 million yen. But she didn’t stop there—she had another dream.

Cat Café Dreams Come True

Saki had always loved animals, especially cats. As a kid, a stray cat helped her through tough times, and ever since, she dreamed of helping others like it. So, she turned the first floor of her third house into a cat café called Café Yuunagi—a cozy spot where stray cats get love, shelter, and attention from cat-loving visitors.

Today, the café not only helps rescue cats, but also brings in extra income. Even after reaching financial freedom, Saki still lives simply and plans to buy more properties to keep supporting her mission.

Online Fame and Praise

Once her story made it to social media in Japan and China, people couldn’t stop talking about her. Comments poured in calling her everything from “a modern-day legend” to “more impressive than ancient wonders.”

What really struck people wasn’t just the number of houses she bought—but her insane discipline and laser focus. While most people struggle to stick to a budget for a month, Saki did it for over a decade—and turned it into real wealth.

Her story is a reminder that with enough dedication (and a lot of instant noodles), even the wildest financial dreams can come true.