Our first day of abandoned house hunting in the Japanese countryside

These small snap shots of rural Japanese life are extremely calming and enjoyable. Truly a joy to watch vicariously. Good luck on the Akiya hunting.

The one thing you should not compromise on when buying a house is location. You can change and modify many structural and landscape things but you can't change its location (at least not easily). We were in an old house near a babbling brook and the view was spectacular...but then a hurricane came and we watched the brook turn into a raging torrent and pass the 100 year high water mark. When we finally bought a house we went for elevation...and have since learned that high winds are a problem as are the higher accumulations of snow in winter... Nothing is perfect but these things do matter...especially as you get older. Good luck and take your time ❤

I'm one of the very few gaijin kids who grew up in rural Kochi. The mist and the fields and the mountains and the ocean and the country roads made me blink back "natsukashii" (nostalgic) tears. We lived east of Kochi on the coastal plain, and the villages are still beautiful!

FYI Hydrangea plants have strong, deep root systems and can be used to stop or slow erosion on slopes if needed. Used extensively in the Azores for exactly this reason.

The cutting is of a chrysanthemum symbolized in the Imperial Seal of Japan. I would have rooted it in a pot of soil or a glass of water before planting.

your videos are so relaxing, i click on them as soon as you upload!! love what you’re doing 💕

Thanks for taking us along ❤

TokyoLama youtuber tells me that most Akiya are not listed. They are just sitting there because the kids moved to a city and the parent passed, and the kids just straight abandoned or forgot about the houses. He says to find the abandoned house first. Then talk to neighbors

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh ! What beautiful houses ! Thank you for showing other houses ! I hope your flowers , trees and bushes bloom soon . I look forward to see them in all their glory ! Best wishes from the U.S. ! 😊. ❤

The scenery while you were driving was amazing. I would love a Lofi style video of a window-side view in a car.

I'm excited to see what kind of house you guys find for yourselves! And just a little tip for the cuttings: you should propagate them in a glass of water before planting them in soil. Allowing them to grow roots before they're planted gives them a better chance of surviving and becoming strong, healthy plants ^^

It's so cool that you are searching for a house of your own ! I wish you the best 🎉

I love your videos. I do wish they were longer and more frequent. But they do take a long of work to produce so totally understand. The anticipation makes your content that more valuable.

I have been here from your first video and I have to say I have never enjoyed a channel so much. Every single video is a masterpiece and is just what I need. Thank you Mika, Jesse, and of course Pancake

Some of the views within those neighborhoods are devastatingly beautiful.

Based on the leaves of the 'Mystery Cutting' I'm willing to bet that is a chrysanthemum. Hope it takes. Look forward to seeing what happens.

I get to retire soon and will move to Japan. I can't wait to have a nice quiet peaceful place with a vegetable garden. Your videos always bring smile to my face.

I'm happy to hear that you're thinking about buying an "akiya" house in Japan. I hope you find a perfect place and keep producing these amazing videos.

Wishing I was more adventurous when young and did something like this. Thank you for sharing ❤

Tokyo Llama has been working on a restoration project. He is really handy and uses a combination of traditional and western techniques in his work. He might be a good connection to make. I really enjoy both your channels.