JSTORIES ー As the population’s rate of aging in Japan accelerates, the number of vacant houses is on the rise in Tokyo. Swedish fashion model Anton Wormann has been reviving them through his own craftsmanship. As his second renovation project nears completion, we asked him his reasons why. What is the appeal and potential of reviving Tokyo’s abandoned houses?
Tokyo’s Small Houses Are Full of Potential
Anton Wormann will soon complete the renovation of a vacant house in a residential area near a train station in Nakano City, a little to the west of central Tokyo. He has been working on this DIY project for about three months since April 2024. “Actually, it was supposed to be finished last week,” he says with a smile, looking with excitement at the house nearing completion.
“The house is 53 years old. It was in shambles when I first saw it, probably having been left vacant for a long time. But I thought that, by tearing out the ceiling, I could create an open space, and by modifying the stair balusters, pillars, and vintage windows, it would become a wonderful space. It’s really fun to be able to make a run-down space look good by using your own ideas and techniques.”
The house was cheap, not having much to speak of in terms of sunlight or space, but “That is why it’s fun,” says Wormann. “It is standing close to neighboring houses and doesn’t have a big yard. But unique, tiny houses in Tokyo like this one are very interesting to me. I can add mirrors to give the space more depth or better lighting to make it look bigger and brighter. Another appeal is that they have a lot of room for modification because they’re old.”
Just as Wormann says, the newly renovated house blends the old and new beautifully, with new wood added to the walls and floors while preserving the original beams, columns, and room with traditional straw tatami mats. He plans to use the house as a vacation rental.
DIY Is Rooted in Life of Swedes
Wormann officially moved to Japan at the end of 2018. He had worked as a model in various countries, but what sealed the deal was the experience he had when he visited Japan.
“It was safe and the streets were beautiful. I was also surprised that I could find good food everywhere I went. People respected each other and were very kind to a foreigner like me. This made me want to live in Japan.”
After moving to Japan, he lived in an apartment and a shared house for a while, and then bought an 86-year-old vacant house in Tokyo in 2022. He used his DIY skills to update it before moving on to his current project.
“I wanted to rent a place at first, but the key money (a traditional, one-time payment made to the landlord) and deposit were very expensive. As I looked for a better living situation, a real estate agent showed me a vacant house. The house was run-down, but its age gave it a sense of history that made it beautiful. New-build houses are popular in Japan, but in my country, it’s normal to keep renovating the house you live in and even schools offer DIY classes. In fact, the house I grew up in is 120 years old, and my family maintained it while changing its layout and design, so it was natural for me to do the same in Japan.”
Japan’s World-Class Craftsmanship
Renovating a house was something Wormann has been accustomed to since childhood, but in Japan, “I can become better acquainted with more professional knowledge and techniques,” he says.
“What surprised me while renovating houses in Tokyo was that there are lumber, tatami and hardware stores all over the city. There, I often make friends with craftsmen and learn new skills. We sometimes work together, and their attention to detail is truly remarkable. I was especially stunned to see the work of miyadaiku (carpenters who specialize in shrines and temples). Their skill of joining pieces of wood to build a house without using a single nail is world-class.”
Inspired by Japanese craftsmanship, Wormann takes great pleasure in improving houses in Japan. This house will soon be completed, but his next project is already underway.
“I recently bought a property in Chiba (a prefecture next to Tokyo). The house is in worse shape than the previous ones, but it’s close to the ocean and I have a feeling it will be fun. I think there will be a lot of challenges there, but I like to make use of old things to create stylish spaces. I plan on making YouTube videos on the project, so I hope you will enjoy the before and after.”
Anton Wormann
Interview and writing by Funabashi Maki
Photos by Akiyoshi Yoko
Photos of the house post-renovation courtesy of Anton Wormann
Translation by Endo Toshio
To read the original article and more stories about what Tokyo offers, please visit Tokyo Updates’ website.
Click here for the Japanese version of the article.
