How to Pitch Your Own Akiya Story for the OHJ Blog

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Share your journey, inspire others, and help redefine what it means to live in rural Japan

Have you bought, renovated, visited, or even just fallen in love with an akiya in Japan?
Whether you’re an owner, explorer, dreamer, or fixer-upper in progress, we want to hear your story.

At Old Houses Japan, our blog isn’t just about listings—it’s about people, places, and the personal journeys that breathe life back into forgotten homes.

If you’ve got an akiya story, here’s how to pitch it to us—and what makes a submission stand out.

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📝 What We’re Looking For

We love stories that are:

✅ Personal – Your journey, your perspective, your challenges and wins
✅ Informative – Tips, resources, or advice you wish you’d had
✅ Visual – Photos are a big plus, but not required
✅ Honest – We value realness over perfection
✅ Cultural – Stories that explore local relationships, customs, or daily life in Japan

You don’t need to be a writer. We can help shape and polish your post—we just want your voice.

💡 Topic Ideas We Love

Not sure what to write about? Try one of these:

• “Why I Bought an Akiya in [Town, Prefecture]”
• “What Surprised Me About Japanese Homeownership”
• “How I Renovated My Akiya on a Budget”
• “A Day in the Life Living in Rural Japan”
• “What It’s Like Being a Foreigner in a Shrinking Town”
• “What I Learned From Talking to My Akiya’s Former Owner”
• “How I Turned My Akiya Into a [Retreat / Guesthouse / Art Studio / Farm]”
• “Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)”
• “Why I Haven’t Bought Yet—But Still Dream About It Every Day”

We also welcome photo essays, video walkthroughs, or short Q&As if you'd rather be interviewed.

📤 How to Submit Your Pitch

1. Send us a short message with your idea:
   • Title or topic
   • A few sentences about what you’d like to share
   • A little about who you are (first name, where you're based, etc.)
   • Any photos or links if you have them
2. Email it to: stories@oldhousesjapan.com
   (Or use our submission form on the blog page)
3. We’ll review and reply within 7–10 days
   • If accepted, we’ll help you shape it into a final post
   • You’ll always get to approve the final version

💡 Contributors receive full credit, a short bio, and a link to their site or social media (if desired).

🙌 Why Share?

• Inspire others to take the leap into rural Japan living
• Help demystify the akiya process for new buyers
• Show that real people (yes, like you!) are reviving these homes
• Connect with a like-minded, global community
• Become part of the living archive of Japan’s rural revival

Final Thoughts

Your story doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be true.

If you’ve laughed, cried, struggled, or celebrated with an old house in Japan—we want to hear it.
The more stories we share, the more myths we bust, and the more people we empower to see akiya not as burdens, but as beginnings.

Pitch us your story. Let’s bring the countryside back—one house, and one voice, at a time.