Dear Diary Series: We finished work on Jissoji Lux

Take and Joey are wrapping up three years of work on Jissoji Lux, their first-ever akiya in Beppu, Japan's top onsen city, and gearing up for a major launch in Otaru this spring. Both projects represent what it looks like when an akiya renovation reaches the finish line.In this episode, they record from inside Jissoji Lux and walk through what three years of work actually looked like. The house is a two-bedroom property walking distance from Hyotan Onsen, one of Beppu's most well-known bathhouses. Total investment was around $80K.Their Otaru property is a two-unit duplex, currently completing its ryokan license, and targeting a May launch. Otaru, a skier's paradise, is also a huge domestic draw for food tourism.Follow us on Instagram and YouTube!Buying a House in Japan is a production of AkiyaMart. Find your Japan dream home at akiya-mart.com.Questions? Email [email protected]  are Take Kurosawa and Joey Stockermans. The AkiyaMart Production Team  is Carlos Gutierrez., Devin Silvernail, and Lukas Fotty.Chapters:00:00 Intro: Back at Jissoji Lux00:32 Where It All Started02:13 Gear Talk and First Beer04:12 Joey's Solo Otaru Trip05:29 Why Otaru Works08:43 The Scallop Story11:37 Otaru Property and Sale Timeline13:40 Why Having a Tokyo Base Matters15:45 Getting Around Japan With an Akiya18:10 Fukuoka as a Japan Base19:48 The Van and the Drive to Beppu20:28 Jissoji Lux Today22:04 How We'd Grade the Renovation23:13 Why We're Selling Now24:15 Beppu Walkability25:05 Hyotan Onsen27:17 Onsen Etiquette for Newcomers28:57 Beppu Travel Tips30:37 Community Onsen Life32:36 The Exec Retreat Angle34:37 Taking Profits on a Project37:14 How Beppu Started the Business39:59 Who Should Buy This House42:46 Farewell to J. Lux