Everything we’ve learned about buying and renovating an akiya in rural Japan — the paperwork, the surprises, and the very real dust.
Follow our Japanese akiya renovation journey, including project updates, renovation costs, and the challenges of bringing an old home back to life.
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 »
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 »
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 (+ 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 »
I picked several kilograms of ume—that famous sour fruit—to make umeboshi, umeshu, syrup, and a few other delicious variations.
I Made Umeboshi, Umeshu & Other Ume Experiments 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 »
Video #34 looks into a full scope of spring in the Japanese countryside.
A Spring Extravaganza in Japan’s Countryside Read More »
Today, I share 9 things that we do to prepare for typhoons here in Japan, setting up storm doors, emergency bag essentials, and more!
How We Prepare for Typhoon Season in Japan Read More »
Akiya in Japan aren’t just “cheap countryside houses.” They can come with hidden heirs, major repairs, and more paperwork than you thought possible. Here’s what buying and living in one is really like — plus how to find listings and avoid common traps.
Everything You Need to Know About Akiya Houses in Japan Read More »
I’m sharing my full vlogging setup—my Fujifilm X-T5 and DJI Pocket 3, microphones, tripod, camera bags, editing software, and the royalty-free music platforms I rely on—plus honest notes on what each item is best for.
My Rural Japan YouTube Setup: The Vlogging Gear I Actually Use Read More »
Plus some house hunting and DIY house fixes we did this August.
Summer Festivals, Akiya Hunt, and Bug Proofing Updates from the Japanese Countryside Read More »
It’s a fusion of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship, as we take you through a day in day in the life of a YouTuber and blacksmith in the Japanese countryside.
A Day in the Life: Blacksmithing & YouTube in Rural Japan Read More »
In this video, we welcomed our Canadian family to the Japanese countryside for the first time! We shared a unique perspective of rural Japan, featuring monkeys, BBQs, river swims, and local attractions like the Underwater Observation Tower, Kongofukuji Temple, Doi Pearl, and Kashiwajima Beach.
We Introduced Japan’s Countryside to our Canadian Family Read More »
A relaxed update on the seasonal transitions of June and July
Counting Down to the Hottest Days of Summer Read More »
