Kanazawa's Yumiyuki district relaxes vacant home rules for farm stays and studios

Commercial use of vacant homes in Kanazawa's Yumiyuki district has been significantly relaxed, allowing conversion into farm stays and artist studios. This follows 14 years of advocacy by local residents who collaborated with the administration to establish a new district plan. The plan covers approximately 47 hectares across seven areas, easing previous restrictions that limited rental housing and restaurant conversions. Retail and dining spaces can now expand from 120 to 500 square meters, and simple lodgings and workshops are permitted. The city planning council approved the measure in August. Residents formed a project in 2012 to compile vacant home information and promote the area, later reorganizing into a committee that secured consent from over 80% of about 300 landowners. Local leaders express hope that the changes will attract newcomers and revitalize the community.