In this video I begin the restoration of our Japanese Garden. We bought a vacant house in the Japanese countryside. The Japanese garden is in much need of restoration. Please follow along.
I am an American (of Mexican descent) living and working in Japan. My wife of 32 (plus) years is from Japan. We bought a vacant or empty house “Akiya” in the countryside of Japan near Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture for $35,000 (5 million Yen as of August 2022). The property consists of a 2-story house built in 1975, small guest house, large 2 car garage, storage building, and 3/4 acres of land with many fruit trees.
As very common when purchasing an Akiya in Japan, the personal belongings of the previous owner were still in the house. It took multiple trips to the local recycle center to dispose of all the property.
The grounds were overgrown with many weeds and vines. This will take a while to get under control, but it is looking much better around the property, and I think the neighbors are happy to see us cleaning up.
This traditional Japanese house also features a gorgeous Japanese Garden in much need of cleaning up and bringing it back to its glory. I am still working on the garden, but it already looks stunning under a beautiful maple tree and huge decorative stones.
We performed an extensive renovation in the entire house. We focused on keeping traditional Japanese features such as the engawa, shoji doors, ranma, shikkui, tatami room, but incorporated modern features making a very comfortable house for years to come. Walls, ceilings, floors were insulated. New modern kitchen, toilets and bathroom units were installed. We installed a wood burning cast iron stove (Quadra-Fire, Explorer II). New electrical throughout the entire house and guest house. Double pane windows and doors installed and much more.
#japan #japancountryside #japanesevacanthouse #akiya #traditionaljapanesehouse #ruraljapan #japanesegarden
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Other videos of our Akiya traditional Japanese house renovation:
https://youtube.com/@cocolenchojapan
Contact:
cocolenchojapan@gmail.com
Social Media:
Instagram: @cocolenchojapan
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Facebook:
Coco Lencho Japan
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088736035119
****Recommend using “Chrome” as a browser for Japanese to English translation.****
Akiya Bank for my area near Iwakuni City and Hiroshima City: Miwa Town in Yamaguchi
https://iwakuni-iju.jp/akiyajoho
Miwa Town Information:
https://iwakuni-iju.jp/miwa.html
Dave Olson’s website:
Dave provides many links and information Akiya and Komika purchase.
“Akiya” abandoned, cheap/free* houses in Japan / annotations, resources, riffs, musings, stories
At Akiya Sumai you can search for vacant houses around Japan.
https://akiya.sumai.biz
At Ie Ichiba there is a Bulletin board to search vacant houses / Akiya Houses and old buildings in Japan
https://www.ieichiba.com
Other Useful Links:
https://www.athome.co.jp/
https://www.kurasapo.net/
https://www.koryoya.com/
https://www.homes.co.jp/akiyabank/
http://www.inakanet.jp/index.html
https://www.akiya-athome.jp
8 Comments
Wow! Just what I have been waiting for. The stones of your garden were selected with great thought and appreciation of the individual pieces and then their relationships when they were placed. The introduction to them through the washing process is a real treat in appreciating them. The bell is a treasure, as you said. I see them imported Stateside and wonder if temples are being abandoned as the population and religious participation shrinks. I'm glad you appreciate its original importance. Thanks for the careful introduction to your traditional garden!
Looking great Chief! Love seeing CSM come out and inspect the progress ;). Pick up the book 'Sakuteiki' by Jiro Takei, translated by Marc Keane. Historic book on Japanese garden design and just an interesting read!
Don't be so lazy. Now that you're warmed up the two stones need to be moved into and incorporated into the Japanese Garden. I'll be grunting for you.
The bell is most likely bronze not brass judging by the sound when you hit it with the hose. Those stones are something to behold.
It's looking good. I love the little Tanuki statue, I'm looking for one for my front garden. Maybe on my next trip to Japan I can find one at a garden center, or somewhere? Personally, I'd consider leaving the two stones where they are (in front of the Casita) and perhaps dig a fire pit below grade. The stones would help protect the rose bushed in behind. I love the garden when it's all lit up at night.
That bell is incredible. The history! and the garden is beautiful!
Hey Coco, hope u are doing well. Greetings from where probably you know.
Hey mate, i had an idea for your garden. Do you have a sliding door coming off your bedroom? If so, you could build a wooden deck that comes off your bedroom and merges with the back of the garden stone feature… unfortunately you would have to remove the front edge of that garden but with some nice lighting it would look awesome! No need to thank me for this great idea! 😂