World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Japan's haunted homes offer bargains for buyers and renters
In Japan, homes where someone died in a violent or tragic way can be considered haunted by a lingering spirit called a yuurei.
Such properties are known as jiko bukken, or incident properties, and can be hard to rent or sell.
Government rules issued in 2021 require estate agents to disclose certain deaths, including suicide, murder and deaths by fire.
Rental listings must disclose this information for three years, while sellers must disclose it indefinitely.
The stigma can bring lower rents and sale prices for people willing to live in these homes.
Ryua pays 45,000 yen a month for a Setagaya bedsit after being told a previous tenant died by suicide, compared with a stated usual rent of 62,000 yen.
In rural Kagoshima, Diane Tincher bought a three-bedroom house for about half its otherwise expected asking price.
Japan’s homes associated with deaths can be bought or rented at reduced prices because many people avoid properties seen as stigmatised.
Government guidelines issued in 2021 require estate agents to disclose certain deaths in properties.
Rental disclosures are required for three years, while disclosures for properties for sale must be made indefinitely.
One renter in Tokyo pays 45,000 yen a month after being told a man died by suicide in her apartment.
A buyer in rural Kagoshima bought a three-bedroom house for about half its otherwise expected asking price after a person died alone there.
- Who
- Buyers and renters seeking lower-cost homes, including Ryua and Diane Tincher.
- What
- Japan’s stigmatised homes linked to deaths can attract bargain hunters.
- When
- Government guidelines were issued in 2021; the article was published on 29 October 2026.
- Where
- Japan, including Tokyo’s Setagaya ward and rural Kagoshima.
- Why
- Many people are superstitious or avoid homes associated with deaths, creating lower prices and rents.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Japanese government guidelines set disclosure requirements for certain deaths in properties.
The BBC published a report on bargain hunters interested in Japan’s stigmatised homes.
- Rental disclosure period
- Three years
- Sale disclosure period
- Indefinitely
- Ryua’s monthly rent
- 45,000 yen, instead of 62,000 yen
- Ryua’s apartment size
- 25 sq m
- Diane Tincher’s home
- Three bedrooms in rural Kagoshima
- Diane Tincher’s discount
- About half the otherwise expected asking price
What people are saying
Even an apartment next to a cemetery will be difficult to rent out, especially if you can see the tombs from the kitchen
The worst thing is if a suicide has happened in the apartment. Even if somebody has jumped from the roof, many renters will move out.
I live with a ghost