YouTuber Couple Faces Reality Check After Purchasing Abandoned Japanese Home

According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand on September 13, 2026, a pair of Australian YouTubers with over 140,000 subscribers recently purchased a house in the popular ski destination of Hakuba, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The couple, Lloyd Enbom and his wife Mandy, who spent two years living in Thailand, acquired the property for 3.6 million yen. Including various fees, the total investment reached approximately 4.1 million yen (roughly 900,000 Thai Baht).

The couple, who have been content creators for nearly five years, intended to use the property as a second home while splitting their time between Japan and other locations. However, upon arriving at the site with their two-year-old daughter to take possession of the house, they were surprised to find the interior in a state of severe disrepair, resembling an abandoned building rather than the functional home they had envisioned.

For travelers and expatriates, this incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in purchasing real estate abroad, particularly regarding 'akiya' or abandoned homes in Japan. While such properties are often marketed at attractive prices, the actual condition of the structures can vary significantly from initial expectations. It remains to be confirmed how the couple plans to proceed with renovations or if they will seek legal recourse regarding the property's condition.