Our AKIYA2.0 Co-founder and COO Lester Goh was featured in JP.MODE, a media platform profiling entrepreneurs building businesses in and with Japan.
In the interview, Lester shares how his background in architecture led him from designing new buildings to working with traditional houses, and eventually to co-founding AKIYA2.0 in 2023.
He talks about why he sees akiya as a community issue rather than just a housing one. As rural towns age and younger generations move to the cities, empty homes deteriorate until they can't be saved, yet restoring them creates work for local craftsmen, brings guests to neighbourhood businesses, and gives owners a reason to keep coming back. And while overtourism gets most of the attention in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, many prefectures are actively looking for visitors, residents and investment.
At AKIYA2.0, that thinking shapes how we work. We support overseas buyers through the full journey of owning a property in Japan, from buying and renovating to managing and commercialising it, so every restored house has a real chance of staying in use for the long run.
If you want to see what that looks like in practice, why not give it a try and stay in in our Hinoki Stays property today! (link to hinoki stays in the words)
Read the full interview (Japanese): Link