Renting <I>akiya</I>: A backdoor into Japan's abandoned homes

A really fascinating read. Even at such cheap rent (Y30,000, around £300 GBP), it's still a great deal for the land-owner. The tenants make improvements for free, and you ultimately maintain total control over the property.

Articles like this are ultimately why I read Hacker News on the daily: it's stuff I'd never read normally, but the broad culture on here really opens your eyes to all sorts of traditions, groups, factions, and ways of life for many people.