Blog

Ready to go rural? Get acquainted with our side of the Japanese countryside with these articles, covering everything from how to buy an akiya, insights into inaka life, and practical guidance on countryside travel.

Akiya & Home

Akiya renovations, interior house inspiration, and more.

All Akiya Articles

garbage on Japanese k truck prepared to go do the dump

Akiya & Home

A Guide to Garbage Disposal When Renovating a House in Japan

two people sitting on the edge of an engawa, of a traditional Japanese house

Akiya & Home

We Bought An Old Japanese House For $4,000 (But It Took A Year to Get It)

Maigo Mika and Jesse inside their Japanese house, looking up at their completed drywall work on the ceiling

Akiya & Home

We Got Our Japanese House Guest Ready (in 5 Days) in the Japanese Countryside

man and woman sitting on edge of engawa in a traditional japanese home, once an akiya

Akiya & Home

What You Need to Know About Akiya Houses in Japan (From Someone Who Bought One)

Travel

From my Japanese countryside escapes to first-time-visitor recommendations, here are some of my favorite offbeat travel destinations.

All Travel Articles

two hands holding a smart phone taking picture in the countryside of Japan

Rural Japan Travel Guide

eSIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi for Rural Japan: Which Actually Works in the Countryside?

Rural Japan Travel Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Rural Japan Travel (From Someone Who Lives Here)

Rural Japan Travel Guide

My Favorite Antique Shops on Shikoku, Japan

Rural Japan Travel Guide

Inside Umaji Village: How Yuzu Saved this Town on the Brink of Collapse

Rural Life

Seasonality, food, and community in the rural countryside.

All Rural Life Articles

maigo mika in blue taking picture of self in JApanese traffic mirror, with daffodils in the background

Living in Rural Japan

Is Inaka Life For You? 7 Truths To Consider First

Living in Rural Japan

The Most Amazing Wildlife I Photographed in the Japanese Countryside

three jars of different umeboshi varieties

Living in Rural Japan

My Guide to Homemade Umeboshi (+ Mistakes to Avoid!)

Living in Rural Japan

A Guide to Garbage Disposal When Renovating a House in Japan

Is Inaka Life For You? 7 Truths To Consider First

eSIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi for Rural Japan: Which Actually Works in the Countryside?

A Guide to Garbage Disposal When Renovating a House in Japan

Is Inaka Life For You? 7 Truths To Consider First

eSIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi for Rural Japan: Which Actually Works in the Countryside?

Blog

Featured Articles

We Bought An Old Japanese House For $4,000 (But It Took A Year to Get It)

Is Inaka Life For You? 7 Truths To Consider First

The Ultimate Guide to Rural Japan Travel (From Someone Who Lives Here)

Inside Umaji Village: How Yuzu Saved this Town on the Brink of Collapse

What You Need to Know About Akiya Houses in Japan (From Someone Who Bought One)

Akiya & Home

A Guide to Garbage Disposal When Renovating a House in Japan

We Bought An Old Japanese House For $4,000 (But It Took A Year to Get It)

We Got Our Japanese House Guest Ready (in 5 Days) in the Japanese Countryside

What You Need to Know About Akiya Houses in Japan (From Someone Who Bought One)

Travel

eSIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi for Rural Japan: Which Actually Works in the Countryside?

The Ultimate Guide to Rural Japan Travel (From Someone Who Lives Here)

My Favorite Antique Shops on Shikoku, Japan

Inside Umaji Village: How Yuzu Saved this Town on the Brink of Collapse

Rural Life

Is Inaka Life For You? 7 Truths To Consider First

The Most Amazing Wildlife I Photographed in the Japanese Countryside

My Guide to Homemade Umeboshi (+ Mistakes to Avoid!)

6 Lessons About Gardening from Rural Japan

eSIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi for Rural Japan: Which Actually Works in the Countryside?

A Guide to Garbage Disposal When Renovating a House in Japan

We Bought An Old Japanese House For $4,000 (But It Took A Year to Get It)

Is Inaka Life For You? 7 Truths To Consider First

The Ultimate Guide to Rural Japan Travel (From Someone Who Lives Here)

My Favorite Antique Shops on Shikoku, Japan

The Most Amazing Wildlife I Photographed in the Japanese Countryside

My Guide to Homemade Umeboshi (+ Mistakes to Avoid!)