For house hunters in Japan who are not superstitious, stigmatized properties known as jiko bukken offer significant financial savings. Known as incident properties where tragedies or lonely deaths occurred, these homes often come with steep discounts that attract bargain hunters despite ghostly reputations.
Living With Spirits for a Discount
When Ryua first viewed her rental apartment in Tokyo, she immediately sensed something supernatural. As she told BBC News, she noticed a man standing and glaring at her during the viewing, and since the estate agent could not see him, she realized he was a ghost. Choosing to move in anyway because she wanted to become friends with him, Ryua has spent four years experiencing daily paranormal activity, including hearing endless footsteps and talking.
In Japan, troubled spirits are known as yuurei, referring to people who died in violent or tragic circumstances such as murder, suicide, or lonely deaths at home. Government guidelines established in 2021 require Japanese estate agents to disclose suicides, murders, deaths by fire, and extended undiscovered deaths. Rental properties must disclose this information for three years, while properties offered for sale must reveal it indefinitely. By contrast, the UK has no legal requirement to disclose deaths in a property, while US rules vary by state.
Ryua learned that a man had killed himself in her apartment, which secured her a nearly 30% discount on her tiny 25-square-meter bedsit in Setagaya. She pays 45,000 yen ($285; £213) monthly instead of the standard 62,000 yen.
Superstitions and Surging Demand
Tokyo estate agent Erik Oskamp told BBC News that Japanese people are particularly averse to stigmatized properties, noting that even apartments near cemeteries are difficult to rent out. The worst scenario involves a suicide, serious crime, or a lonely death.
However, lonely deaths enabled American tour guide Diane Tincher to purchase a large three-bedroom home in rural Kagoshima for half its usual price. Living in Japan for nearly 40 years, the 79-year-old paid 20 million yen for a house that typically sells for up to 45 million yen after the estate agent disclosed that an elderly lady had died alone there. Tincher stated she does not believe in ghosts, adding that if a ghost exists, she feels thankful every day for such an affordable and splendid home.
Tincher discovered the property on Oshimaland, a crowdsourced website launched in 2005 that maps jiko bukken properties across Japan and internationally. Founder Teru Oshima noted that these properties were previously unappealing options. However, as house prices and living costs have surged in recent years, a 2025 survey indicated that over half of Japanese people would now rent a jiko bukken if the price was low.
Reflecting on her arrangement, Ryua expressed happiness living with her ghostly flatmate, noting that ghosts were once living human beings and deserve respect.
