Japan’s Showa retro aesthetic draws tourists to renovated seaside homes
Expats in Atami are renovating abandoned houses to showcase the city's mid-century glamour and attract foreign visitors.
Pandemic lockdown sparked local interest
Hillary Hewins and Blake Piper spent their weekends in Atami while Japan closed its borders during the pandemic. The couple began investing in akiya, which are inexpensive abandoned houses found throughout the area. They renovated these properties into home rentals to capture the city's faded glamour.
Atami grew after World War II
The seaside city became popular with Japanese holidaymakers over four decades following the end of the war. Sprawling concrete resorts opened during this period while the city centre filled with lively bars and cabaret shows. Neon signs lit up these nightlife venues as the location surged in popularity.
Foreign tourists expected to follow
Experts expect foreign visitors will soon catch the Showa retro bug after seeing these designs. Flashy mid-century styles are currently back in vogue within Japan. The couple hopes their work will help spread this trend internationally.
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