lifestyle

5 uninhabited Japanese islands you can buy right now

28 Comments
By Michelle Lynn Dinh

While living in Tokyo, or any of Japan’s big cities, it’s hard not to want to get away from the crowds every once and a while. Of course the countryside offers a considerable amount of extra breathing room, but we know you’ve no doubt day dreamed of being alone on your own private island as you were sandwiched between two sweaty salarymen on the rush hour train. For those unable to tolerate the constant congregation of city-dwellers, this list is for you. Take a look at five uninhabited islands for sale right now in Japan and start to plan your life of solitude.

All information regarding each island is from Aqua Styles, a Japanese website dedicated to the sale of uninhabited islands in Japan and overseas real estate.

Saga Island (Saga Prefecture) Price: 30 million yen
Area: 2,584 square meters

Here’s your chance to own not one, but three uninhabited islands for less than 30 million yen. They may be small but their close proximity to the mainland of Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, makes them ideal for those who want a quiet getaway that’s still close to civilization.

Komariyama Island (Wakayama Prefecture) Price: 150 million yen Area: 3,384 square meters

This beautiful island is just a five minute boat ride away from the nearest harbor and is surrounded by clear blue water and white sand beaches. The island is uninhabited and has two basketball courts worth of flat land, perfect for building your dream home.

Urume Island (Tokushima Prefecture) Price: 35 million yen
Area: 7,444 square meters

A small, but relatively affordable private island, Tokushima’s Urumi Island is perfect for those on a budget. The owner has included a small neighboring island and a plot of land on the mainland in the sale.

Ubanari Island (Okinawa Prefecture) Price: 500 million yen Area: 36,796 square meters

White sand beaches and the crystal clear waters of Okinawa will be yours at Ubanari Island. You can even walk to the mainland at low tide. Okinawa has many uninhabited islands, but this could very well be the only one up for sale in the entire area, making this a very special piece of property.

Rai Island (Hiroshima Prefecture) Price: 500 million yen
Area: 100,834.8 square meters

Rai Island is the far away from any other island, making it the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle. It has two shores of white sand beaches and plenty of flat land to build on. It is not located in a national park and doesn’t have any regulations attached to the property – the perfect place to fish, swim and enjoy marine sports in private.

Sources: Aqua Styles, Nanapi

Read more stories on RocketNews24. -- Japan’s Lesser Known Natural Treasures: A Photo Journey -- Old becomes new again: The beauty of traditional Japanese homes -- Battleship Island: Five Reasons Why More Movie Villains Should Live Here

© RocketNews24

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28 Comments
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My close friend bought one in the Seto Naikai... I am looking into one now, or maybe will buy half of his... or a sizable property in Shodasima... I have other friends with private Japanese Islands.

30 million for those islands exposed to the open ocean, without utilities is too much... 30 million for a seto naikai island maybe OK, but still you can get cheaper... You just need to know 'how' to buy them... Regards. To utilities, most have electric, but alternative energies are really useful... Some need to get fresh water by mini tanker, but it is not a big deal...

The best deals are usually the ones that are not for sale... :-) ... Takes a bit of research and leg work, but can save tens of millions...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

...how are passerbys even supposed to know that any of these are privately owned property?

Laser targeted gun turrets, crocodiles and signs saying "This is the Lair of Dr. Evil" (or some such). Seriously, the islands in Saga look great, except for the adjoining factory on the mainland. I'm sure there are plenty of islands that can be had for cheap, though. Just remember to leave some money for development of power, water, boat landing etc. Who wouldn't want their own island?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Don't forget mukade and snakes!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

No way, these islands probably have spiders the size of dinner plates. I know huntsman spiders exist in Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Excellent! So if I were Russian and would buy it, would the island become Russian territory then?

No, first of all, you'd have to form a hold a referendum amongst family members expressing the "wills of the people"!

Then, once you did that you would have to do what Putin told you to do, no matter what the will of your family members was.

Better to stay a part of Japan though, for these islands. Otherwise you will need a passport and reentry permit to go to your own home!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@jumpultimatestars

Maybe put a few signs up around the coastlines? Fencing the whole island would be ugly... so only build it around your house if you feel it's unprotected.

At least that's what I would do...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If you do decide to buy one, how are passerbys even supposed to know that any of these are privately owned property?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Before buying, make sure you first check to see if China has staked a claim on the island or not.

I lol'ed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Excellent! So if I were Russian and would buy it, would the island become Russian territory then?

No, first of all, you'd have to form a hold a referendum amongst family members expressing the "wills of the people"!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Lets not forget that we are waiting a massive earthquake and tsunami in both the nankai and the tokai troughs.

If you cant easily get earthquake insurance for your home, your chances for your island are slim to none. No wonder they are going cheap at the moment...

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The one in Okinawa looks ok. Walk to the main island at low tide. Other than that, meh...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Excellent! So if I were Russian and would buy it, would the island become Russian territory then?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I'll have a look under the cushions and see if I can pull out 30 million yen. I want the Saga Islands. That would be pretty cool to own a private island. I probably wouldn't live there full time, might be quite a pain to commute to the mainland, but hey, maybe in the summer or something. I should imagine that if someone's going to buy an island property, they've already considered things like power, water, waste disposal, phone and internet and all that. That's the sort of thing you want to get all arranged to go as soon as you've bought the property. Might be a little out of my reach, but if you're going to dream, you might as well dream big right?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

sjfp330 is right. How could be voted down? If you don't want to get their by boat, cheap Japanese ocean view, and beach front property is an excellent investment. 30 million yen? One tenth of that will get an ocean view.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yeah, sounds great in theory, but I think it would take a 'special' kind of person to live there full time.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Living in the islands is very expensive and could be inconveniant. Better choice is to get a secluded ocean view property that is near the roads in the rural areas of Japan. It's a must to has electricity and water hookup and you can have as much privacy as you want. At least, your alot closer to markets and hospitals.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Some of those actually sound affordable, although not realistic for living. Maybe to camp, occasionally, like someone said.

Ya,

Nigel Beatty

Where are the bargain islands??

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I've seen crazier houses on islands in the 1000 Islands in the St. Laurence River. Y30m seems like a bargain. Too bad none are in disputed waters, but give China time and I'm sure they will be. In fact I'd be Chinese nationals will try to buy them.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I will be looking in to buying one AND SOON.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

JVJ... Don't buy any of these then... Way overpriced... Much better and cheaper options available (with electricity, buildings, waters, etc...)

Where are they? I would love my own private island with electricity and plumbed for water. For less than JPY 30m, that would be a bargain.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

JVJ... Don't buy any of these then... Way overpriced... Much better and cheaper options available (with electricity, buildings, waters, etc...)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'm in the market for just such a place.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If it can get internet service that would be good. But how's the typhoon flooding? Better put a submarine on it and dress it up to look like a house

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Looks fun would love to live there

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Are they zoned for residential construction?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Electricity= solar panels or a generator; gas= propane; sewer= septic tank; trash= burn the burnables and ferry the rest to the mainland. Only water sounds difficult. If you couldn't collect enough rainwater to be kept in a cistern, I suppose you'd have to ferry that in. I've been to plenty of small islands throughout Asia and stayed in bungalows. They seem to have overcome the hurdles.

20 ( +20 / -0 )

"a five minute boat ride away...perfect for building your dream home" Except that there is no electricity, gas, water, sewer service, trash collection, etc. Maybe ok as a campsite though.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

Before buying, make sure you first check to see if China has staked a claim on the island or not.

33 ( +34 / -2 )

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