MaigoMika is the voice behind Maigomika.com, where she shares her adventures as a Canadian living and working in the Japanese countryside. She dives into local traditions and gives a peek into what daily life is really like out there.
Follow our Japanese akiya renovation journey with real-time cost tracking, structural roadmaps, and the gritty realities of reviving a 150-year-old traditional home.
Restoring a 150-Year-Old Japanese House: Our Plans, Progress & Costs Read More »
Buying an akiya in Japan sounds simple. But before you commit, there are a few things worth thinking through before taking the big leap.
Is an Akiya Right for You? What to Know Before Buying an Old House in Japan Read More »
Thinking of adding rural Japan to your itinerary? Some destinations make easy day trips from major cities, while others require overnight stays or even a rental car. Here’s how to find the version of inaka that fits your travel style.
The 3 Levels of Rural Japan Travel (And Which One Fits You) Read More »
From early train cutoffs to cash-only buses and disappearing internet signals, these are the 15 travel lessons about traveling through the Japanese countryside I learned (so you don’t have to make my same mistakes.)
15 Rural Japan Travel Tips That Have Saved Me Stress, Time & Money Read More »
Internet in Tokyo is easy. Internet in rural Japan? Not always. Here’s an honest comparison of eSIM vs pocket Wi-Fi for rural Japan, plus what to expect when signal disappears in the countryside.
eSIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi for Rural Japan: Which Works in the Countryside? Read More »
How disposal actually works in Japan and why garbage needs to be planned like its own renovation phase.
A Guide to Garbage Disposal When Renovating an Akiya House in Japan Read More »
Here’s the real process, hidden delays, and how we secured our akiya house.
We Bought an Off-Market Akiya in Japan. The Real Process (And Why It Took a Year) Read More »
Here are some trade-offs about the Japanese inaka, plus my 7 takeaways that have helped us adapt.
Is Inaka Life For You? 7 Truths To Consider Before Making The Big Leap Read More »
If you’re dreaming of the Japan most tourists never see—quiet train stations, hidden onsen towns, and mountain roads that lead to nowhere (in the best way)—this guide is for you.
The Ultimate Guide to Rural Japan Travel (From Someone Who Lives Here) Read More »
From mid-century modern furniture to salvaged traditional windows, these are the best antique shops to visit in Shikoku, Japan.
My Favorite Antique Shops on Shikoku, Japan Read More »
Spiders, monkeys, snakes, the list goes on!
The Most Amazing Wildlife I Photographed in the Japanese Countryside Read More »
I experimented with different plums and made a few mistakes… here are some things that will help you when making your own homemade umeboshi.
My Guide to Homemade Umeboshi (+ Experimenting with Other Fruit & Mistakes to Avoid!) Read More »
Including nature’s unpredictable whims, and how our past failures became our greatest teachers.
6 Lessons About Gardening from Rural Japan Read More »
From cedar logging to organic yuzu, this is Umaji’s story of rural reinvention in Japan’s remote mountains.
How Umaji Became Japan’s Most Famous Organic Yuzu Village Read More »
This June we take you from our spring gardening project, to ancient hot springs and castle towns of Matsuyama and Ozu.
A New Veg Garden + Day Trips with the Family Read More »
Another year, another video! Here is my second anniversary video, featuring the last 12 months of life in the Japanese countryside.
A Year in Rural Japan: Celebrating Our Second Anniversary Read More »
Japan is not a temperate country. From sub-zero winters to sweltering summers, the changing seasons drum out the passage of time, giving rhythm and direction to the fundamental activities that drive and sustain life and culture here. While spring is famous worldwide for its iconic cherry blossoms, within Japan, the
How We Spent Our Golden Week Holiday this May in Japan Read More »
It’s Pancake’s 2nd birthday and a frantic drywall marathon to get our Japanese house guest ready.
We Got Our Japanese House Guest Ready (in 5 Days) in the Japanese Countryside Read More »
Dive into the wonderfully kitschy and nostalgic world of Japan’s Showa-era theme parks and museums!
Retro Lover’s Ultimate Guide: The Showa-Era Museums in Japan You Need to See Read More »
Video #34 looks into a full scope of spring in the Japanese countryside.
A Spring Extravaganza in Japan’s Countryside Read More »
From installing traditional Japanese storm doors to packing emergency kits and stocking up on supplies, here are things we do each year to prepare for typhoon season in Japan.
How We Prepare for Typhoon Season in Japan Read More »