Spacious Vintage Home in Saijo, $48,800 Only

This traditional Japanese house is listed at just 7,500,000 yen (approximately $48,800 USD), offering a glimpse into rural living in the charming city of Saijo, Ehime Prefecture. With its expansive land and convenient location, this property presents an intriguing opportunity to experience life in a quiet Japanese neighborhood.

Check out the listing here.

Situated in the Miyoshi area of Saijo City, this property showcases the generous space often found in rural Japanese real estate. Priced at 7,500,000 yen (approximately $48,800 USD), the house sits on a substantial 501 m² (5,392 sq ft) lot, providing ample space for gardening or outdoor activities. The house itself offers a comfortable 92 m² (990 sq ft) of living space, featuring a 4DK layout (4 rooms plus a dining-kitchen area), which is quite spacious by Japanese standards.

While the exact construction date is unknown, the wooden structure suggests a vintage charm that’s characteristic of traditional Japanese homes. The property does require some attention, with partial floor repairs needed and the necessity to install a boiler (which has been removed). Additionally, there’s a requirement to separate the rainwater drainage system, which is currently shared with a neighboring property.

One of the property’s main advantages is its location. It’s just a 15-minute walk from Iyo-Miyoshi Station on the JR Yosan Line, making commuting and travel convenient. This accessibility is particularly valuable in rural areas where public transportation can be limited.

The property is well-situated in terms of local amenities. It’s 3.6 km from the city hall, 2.6 km from a hospital, 3.8 km from a police station, and conveniently close to educational facilities with a preschool 1.2 km away, an elementary school 0.5 km away, and a middle school 0.8 km away. For daily necessities, there’s a supermarket just 0.5 km from the property.

In terms of zoning, the property is located in a Category 1 Medium-High Rise Residential Area within an Urbanization Promotion Area. This zoning allows for a building coverage ratio of 60% and a floor area ratio of 200%, providing flexibility for future development or expansion if desired.

The interior features include a shower, toilet, bath, and a garden. The property is equipped with electricity, water supply, sewage system, and propane gas, ensuring modern conveniences despite its traditional appearance.

Iconic nearby destinations:

• Zuioji Temple: Located about 10 km away, this historic Zen temple is known for its beautiful gardens and can be reached in about 20 minutes by car.
• Ishizuchi Shrine: Situated at the foot of Mount Ishizuchi, Ehime’s highest peak, this important Shinto shrine is approximately 30 km away and can be reached in about 45 minutes by car.

Facts about Saijo:

• Saijo is known as the “City of Water” due to its abundant natural spring water, with over 1,000 springs throughout the city.
• The city hosts the annual Saijo Festival in October, featuring elaborate danjiri (festival floats) paraded through the streets.
• Saijo is home to several sake breweries, taking advantage of the high-quality spring water to produce renowned local sake.

Facts about Ehime Prefecture:

• Ehime is famous for its mikan (mandarin oranges), producing some of the best in Japan.
• The prefecture is home to Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot springs, which inspired the bathhouse in the Studio Ghibli film “Spirited Away.”
• Ehime features the Shimanami Kaido, a 70 km long toll road that connects Japan’s main island of Honshu to Shikoku, passing over six smaller islands in the Seto Inland Sea.

Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with this property or agent in any way. We’re just showing properties we find interesting for informational purposes.