I was really shocked when I saw the barn for the first time because usually Japanese people prefer new accommodation. We prefer renting newer properties.
On the other hand, in the UK, older property has more value (If it is good condition) My husband told me that they are built well to survive strong storms.
Ummm, it was the first cultural difference I experienced in the UK.
One of my sis-in-law's house is 120 years old, and even the others sis-in-law's house which is considered to be new is 40 years old.
People prefer to renovate than rebuild.
I am beginning to think it is a good thing because every time when you knock it down, you will loose some of the character. In the reality, building architecture is much nicer in UK. Of course, tourist spots are nice and tidy in Japan, but if you visit living area, they don't have the uniform appearance.
I wish that the building code could be a little more like the UK in Japan.
