A Glimpse into Rural Japanese Living: Spacious Traditional Home in Higashimiyoshi

In the picturesque town of Higashimiyoshi, Tokushima Prefecture, a traditional Japanese house offers a window into rural life in Japan. This spacious traditional Japanese house, boasting 7 bedrooms and a large garden, is listed at just 10,000,000 yen ($63,000 USD), offering a rare opportunity to experience rural Japanese living at an affordable price.

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The property is a two-story wooden structure built in 1982. With its 7 LDK (Living-Dining-Kitchen) layout, the house offers an impressive 240 m² (2,588 sq ft) of living space. The property sits on a generous 657 m² (7,072 sq ft) lot, which includes a spacious 198-tsubo (approximately 655 m²) garden, providing ample space for outdoor activities or gardening.

The home’s interior showcases traditional Japanese architectural elements. It features several Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring, as well as Western-style rooms. A notable feature is the engawa, a wooden veranda that wraps around traditional Japanese homes, offering a transitional space between indoors and outdoors. The house also includes a horigotatsu, a sunken kotatsu (heated table) built into the floor, perfect for cozy family gatherings during colder months.

Modern amenities haven’t been overlooked in this traditional setting. The kitchen is equipped with an IH (Induction Heating) cooktop and a two-burner stove. The bathroom includes a modern toilet with a washlet (bidet) function, and there are two toilets in the house for convenience. The property also boasts multiple air conditioning units, ensuring comfort throughout the year.

Located in a quiet residential area, the house is a 22-minute walk from Hashikura Station on the JR Dosan Line. While this might seem far by urban Japanese standards, it’s quite typical for rural areas where personal vehicles are more commonly used. The property includes parking space for more than five cars, which is generous by Japanese standards.

Higashimiyoshi is situated in a region known for its natural beauty. The famous Iya Valley, known for its dramatic mountain scenery and traditional vine bridges, is approximately 30 km away, about a 45-minute drive. The scenic Oboke and Koboke Gorges, popular for river rafting and their autumn colors, are roughly 20 km away, reachable in about 30 minutes by car.

The area hosts several local festivals throughout the year. The Higashimiyoshi Firefly Festival in early summer offers a magical experience of watching fireflies in their natural habitat. In August, the nearby Yoshinogawa River Fireworks Festival lights up the summer sky with an impressive display.

While this property offers a spacious living environment at a price that might seem incredibly low to many foreign buyers, it’s important to note that such prices are not uncommon in rural Japan, where depopulation has led to an abundance of available homes. The affordable price tag comes with considerations: the house is 42 years old as of 2024 and may require some updates or maintenance. Additionally, living in rural Japan often means fewer English-language services and potentially limited job opportunities for non-Japanese speakers.

However, for those seeking to immerse themselves in traditional Japanese culture, enjoy a slower pace of life, or perhaps start a remote work-centered lifestyle, properties like this one in Higashimiyoshi offer an intriguing possibility. They provide a chance to experience Japan beyond the well-trodden urban centers, in areas where traditional customs and natural beauty remain a part of daily life.