Tour the inside of this empty Japanese house (akiya). It’s a 100 year old Japanese traditional house (kominka) built in the Taisho era, with tatami rooms, mud walls, smoky beams, vintage tansu cabinets, an irori sunken cooking area, half a hectare of terraced gardening land, and constantly flowing spring water. The estate is full of momentos that will require our care and labor to manage. We will show you some design direction ideas for kominka DIY house renovation. Links below may be affiliate w/ no additional fee.
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35 Comments
Such lovely videos and very peaceful. Living modestly relieves us of unnecessary burdens. Clinging is suffering. It has been joyful to watch your growth and experiences. Visiting Japan is on my bucket list and you are an inspiration for me to see it through. Thank you for sharing such wonderful things and experiences. Congratulations on your marriage and peaceful endeavors, and successful, upon you both.
I’m glad to see you’re doing well in your new life adventure. Thank you for bringing us along.
Oh wow I love the book you flipped through that looked kind of like a catalog lol And you’re both so lucky to grow your own kiwis
Bitsii, you are lovely. So nice to see your face.
I am an interior designer and the one caution I always use before starting a project is to not let themism get in the way of what the room or house is naturally. The outside is as important as the inside. My rules for good design are 1. No clutter 2. Neutral interiors so that the art, textiles, everyday objects become the color and life 3. Framing the views are essential 4. Comfort and ease of living in the space
Good luck on your endeavors.
Fyi snakeskin also helps deter rodent pests
I used to have ball pythons lol having snakeskin’s not weird to me but I know I’m weird compared to most people
Wow, so much stuff. I am in the process of decluttering my house of just our possessions. Its much easier to do here in the US. Even so, decision fatigue can be overwhelming. I can't even imagine tackling your situation. You both have my deepest admiration.
We don’t see much of you in your videos but I just had to say how stunning you are 🫶🏼
We have a lot of garter snakes around our garden, and have found multiple shed skins. Ill have to go get some next summer for good luck!
Your videos and lifestyle philosophy are incredibly inspiring to me. I would like to, one day, lead a life like that, too. Thank you for sharing your journey. ❤❤
So many options. How do you get that stuff to a recycling place? Its all too much to keep clean.
Firstly I want to apologise for my complete lack of knowledge when it comes to interior (or exterior tbh) design. But from the 5 choices you presented, I would like to give my 'vote' as it were to the nostalgiac option. For a leyman such as myself the first two options just appear manufactured? I'm sure there are people who love the designs of bright and dark interiors but for me, they seems so removed from the actual human experience, it maybe harsh but I feel like purchasing furniture to match an aestetic that you have already pre determend for a space is counter productive to picking the actual 'best' choice.
It maybe cliché to an extent but the nostalgic look will always be like picking up an old book, it will invoke feelings of ones childhood that is unique to any individual to experience it. For me it reminds me of visiting grandparents during autumn. Warm, comfortable, low stress. And maybe thats why we love it so much. It is the antithesis of the first two options, it isnt 'trying' to be anything it just is. "Why is this tv from the early 2000's next to this record player from the 80's?" It doesnt have to have a reason.
Again, apologies if i sound like a first year student when it comes to the matter at hand. I have no knowledge when it comes to anything design, its just the feeling it evokes
Hmm… I'm somewhat confused, I'd probably opt for a combination of nostalgia and permaculture while keeping it as light and airy as possible 🙃. Is there any way to perhaps make this a meeting site for events for your local small town… a community center, meetings with food (use all those pots and dishes 😉), paid speakers who come to teach classes on… oh I don't know; yoga, tai chi, cell phone savvy, ikebana, gardening techniques or new or old style cooking, preserving, perhaps you could get monies from your community to help with the restoration… and perhaps your Mr. could find on that property a particular building to house, work in, propagate and preserve your gardening necessities, which could also become a teaching and learning area? While he could landscape the direct front of that property in an elegant, traditional and inviting way.
Also have you considered inviting volunteers to help with the project, I'm sure many foreigners or recent immigrants to Japan or even Japanese who want to exit the big cities and move to the country? I think all would enjoy the hands on experience. I also see a lot of YTubers offering free room and board for work in places those helpers would never have discovered otherwise… immersion with a purpose. Sometimes entire dying towns become reborn thanks to this interest, I've seen it happen all over sadly aging rural Europe, bringing in new blood sometimes keeps small towns alive. You could also involve the locals to teach their knowledge of the many country skills of preserving and cooking what they've worked so hard to grow during the summer months.
Design is one thing, this house already has beautiful bones, but there is also the basic comfort factor of keeping a notoriously cold Japanese house… warm, dry and draft free.
Well all the very best on this project, you're going to have your hands full !!! 🤗
love seeing the preservation of lifestyle and integration of Japanese values you both have in everyday life. as for how to breathe life back into this guest house I'm keen on a combination of all those styles you suggested. the book "Lost Japan" by Alex Kerr touches upon the use of light and shadow briefly but references Jun'ichiro Tanizaki's book "In'ei Raisan" (In Praise of Shadows) which i have not read yet. however, pairing that with values such as 'mono no aware' and 'notan' leads me to wishing the light portion of the house to represent the clean, modern day simplicity as the overall throughline theme of the guest house with modern comforts and nods to nature. this paired with the duality of shadow and embracing each room's individual shadow with the nostalgic ties and supporting the impermanence of objects and time.
That's a beautiful house just needs some TLC. That armor like shrine is pretty cool. I'm always amazed when i see what people left behind in these houses, it's always interesting. I like the Natural style of house choices it fits the countryside in my opinion.
My gosh what a dream! Your idea of creating a Japanese meets western comfort space sounds like it could eventually grow into almost a little village ( for lack of a better word) of knowledge and experience sharing. It could even eventually evolve into something like a "spa" for your life..a place where friendships and memories are made, classes had, and experiences shared…where u leave refreshed and in tune w nature, yourselves and surroundings.
permaculture / organic gardening classes
Cooking classes including preparing traditional Japanese cuisine,
You could use a portion of the property as a living tutorial for those also renovating Akiya but are new to the process and lack knowledge.
As the outside grounds come together u could ( in the far far future) offer something like a destination wedding or honeymoon where the grounds would be a perfect back drop for pictures etc
Honestly there are so many ideas running through my mind its hard to capture them all! What an adventure! My family and I have such a love for Japanese culture…I wish we lived closer and could help u guys just so we could be a part of it and for the memories made!
PS: The natural style balanced w nostalgia could be such a holistic vibe. ❤
i love this channel
Love this channel. Permaculture, organic gardening, all things Japan, kominka, it hits everything for me … well, it needs a scooter, like a retro Honda Super Cub, or maybe a Kei-Tora. What would I like to see as a visitor? I would like to see some chickens. They love to walk around and be interesting, eat up some of the nasty bugs, and mmm, eggs! In my mind, I imagine a winding path up into the mountain, just a short path mind you, that leads to a hidden onsen, where a visitor can go after a few hours of garden chores, clean up, then bathe in the HOT onsen … ahhh.
Hi Bitsii! I'm afraid I'll have to pass on the giveaway😳😄 As to the interior design, I like your last idea of permaculture. However, why not add a small bit of nature and Japanese history to it as well? There's no law that says you have to stick to one style only. The landlords idea about wanting some history of the house and Japanese culture shown for people would be easy to include I think. Chances are, most western/european people traveling, will be interested in the history of wherever they're visiting. Of course, like you said earlier, your biggest challenges will be the roof and the removal of "stuff". Good luck with you and your husbands future plans, and I will keep on loving your videos.
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Thanks for your support, everyone! ❤
I have done numerous renovations here in the US but also plan on moving to Japan with my son and his wife in about 2 years. I lived there when I was about 8 years old so it will be like moving back home. We will also be looking for an old house to buy and fix up. With your house you can’t really go with one of the 4 basic design options, there are too many variables including what you and your husband like. You should take what you like about each that will work with each room or space in your home. Combine yourselves with the house and what you plan to do there. With all the stuff there, go through and first set aside what you actually need. Then set aside what you like and will use. The rest can go. If there is something you’re not sure of, put it in a storage area and if you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it. After the major things are taken care of, roof, foundation, electrical and water, then move on to one room at a time. Each room will tell you how it wants to be used and seen. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your renovation. I’ve been a subscriber since you first started this channel and I’m looking forward to seeing what you accomplish dear.
I love the place that you live in. It's beautiful! You refer to the landlord, so are you renting it? A landlord here in the US would never allow tenant renovations.
As for what to do, as an architect who has a penchant for japanese architecture and carpentry, you have the wabi sabi thing going. If one of your building is empty, take all the flotsam and put it into there (ie all those dishes). The bones of the house look good. If you trying to balance out the dark overall feeling, look into some form a whitewash for the mud walls. You'll still see the texture and the cracks but it will reflect light better.
The guesthouse idea is the obvious one but it requires more than just you to run it. You need staff for that. To employ staff you have to have guests. It seems you're too far away to attract people to something like a bakery/coffee shop so that goes out the window but it would take fewer people to operate.
I guess you need to come up with some idea and talk with the landlord. It's such a beautiful place that it would be a shame for it to go to waste. If I was living there, as long as I could get a sat internet link so that I could do my work, I'd spend all my spare time renovating it, I can do the carpentry parts that need doing but my plastering skill are lacking. I'd make a point of talking with people in the local area to see who can do what and barter for work.
I wish you and you partner all the best!
I liked ALL the options you showed, so I am no help there 😊 Loved seeing your face this time, hope you continue to talk to the camera. Are you permitted to re-home/sell the items in the house, or does your landlord technically own all those things?
You and your husband are getting wonderful feedback in the comments. I like your thoughtfulness about where you live and what you want to achieve. Take your time and share your journey as it unfolds. I’ve been watching since your first video and have enjoyed the journey so far!
Best wishes for the channel. Congratulations on your marriage. 🎉
I watch YouTube channels from 10 to 15 different countries—all sharing their property restoration and revitalization efforts reflective of goals for their properties, the locations and climates, the environment, the cultures, etc. (wow, that count surprised me). What makes these channels exceptional is how genuine each one is!!
I think a blend of nostalgia and the community/permaculture vibes could be really cool.
If people find it a little eerie, then that’s just a slightly more niche attraction!
I would say a the ideas mixed together, so eclectic makes sense
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Get an Akia abandoned house. Lots out there girl! Invest in your own property.
I really love your channel and all that you are doing. Is your partner going to have his own permaculture channel? As if so I will subscribe. You guys are living a truly blissful dream life that most of us will never get to experience but dream about. Blessings to you both. ❤
Regarding theme, yes permaculture/ community..
if it were my project, i would want to just bring it lovingly down to its bones, and build back up, just being gentle about intention for a theme it style ~ do you think it might create itself ?
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I think there could be a market for nostalgic knick knacks to the Japanese diaspora with the current exchange rate…
Soo, this is not your home? You just live there in return to modify it?!
Plz do keep the plates as decorations if they can't be used I'm sure u nay find someone to use them ❤but none the less lovely home
I love seeing the seasonality of your food source and farming. Some very popular channels tailor their channel to the "farm to fork" aspect. I think it would be a good idea to tailor some of your content to that since it may align with some of your values and allows the city folk to live vicariously through you.
thank you for your calming voice .. little tinkling bits of music .. fun .. relaxing .. on a project like this, if I was there .. oh, I have my own clutter here, stuff .. but to keep .. to watch .. to tell little stray stories beyond our eyes no magical if I low landing anyone in pleasure isn’t everyone in their lives center earth just the hardship about insert live late night or respect it all, that's all I ask