Abandoned houses, mortality and a natural life: Rare insider experience in rural Ehime, Japan

[@ayeshatphoto]

"The best designs are the ones that fade away gracefully"- that is so beautiful... I'm adopting this as an intention/affirmation for everything in my life. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@idontwalkslow]

This really is the best line I've heard in days. I love it

[@Cursedzeba]

The opening was really sweet. Giving thanks to those that came before us is truly a great thing. A beautiful video that really brings out emotions, I hope your journey continues to be beautiful and full of joy

[@krisd870]

You seem to have a piece about you. I’m happy for your cool journey you are on. Thank you for taking us on the ride. Very great insight you gave. Until next video.

[@allistairneil8968]

I love the Wild Turkey sitting cheekily on the table.

[@matthalfremmbertohydrate1672]

I could not agree with you more on the philosophy of material things, their functions and practical uses. The gracefulness of aging is an important value to embrace today.

[@VeraGolosovaArt]

Such a gentle reflection on mortality, thank you so much for your words. I wait for every video of yours

[@davidkiefer1748]

Probably the best video I’ve ever watched on KZbin.

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We hope you’re doing well. God bless you.

[@ManOfEarth1422]

I love the idea of shinto for this exact reason. We may have been to the moon, but humanity is, and will always be intertwined with the earth; rejecting nature harms both us and our ecosystems. Great video as always.

[@heehee5291]

I wish I had a better way to describe how this video makes me feel but It's given me a lot to think about. Your style of documentary is extremely refreshing and I cant wait to see your channel grow in the future!

[@denisesmelley8546]

I look forward to your posts. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

[@newbielives]

Looking at the old stuff made me think about the emotions surrounding it when it was bought new

[@BGazzah]

I always enjoy your posts - I fell re-grounded watching them. There is a wisdom here that has been lost in most peoples....

[@28naveenator27van]

hauntingly beautiful I can't watch for too long or I get overwhelmed You had me worried that something happened to Ms. Yumi.

[@jkardi9803]

Oh I love the birthday party so much, what a lovely thing to do.

[@michael_g3726]

Loved the shot of the house plant still doing well inside the decaying house.

[@lululongmizzlegarden]

Oh I loved this. Just beautiful! I think this the most beautiful video I have seen on KZbin ❤️ 💜 ♥️

[@Bookwright]

It looks like a coach video, rater then a mobile one. I gonna make me a cup of tea and prepere my knitting for this. Brb. 😊

[@joannefildew9092]

Really love the way you share your story with us. Feels so lovely to watch. Thank you. 😊

[@matthieujoly]

Thank you, so much.

[@Ninja-blablabla]

We are being so patient, waiting for your next video.

[@JustAsimplewanderer]

can't wait for the visa video! please give me back hope for such a lifestyle!

[@martinvalencia798]

Yey another video! Nicely made! Your musings about multiple lives and care for our world is true.

[@ollietheartist1719]

Loved this one Bistii ❤

[@sunflowerrath4754]

Thank you so much for your amazing video. This is very refreshing to watch and look forward to your next video as always.

[@afistfulofvideos]

A new video of yours made me SO HAPPY!!!

[@TheImanuelita]

Very very very nice vlog!!! This is one of your best yet! 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@TheJerida]

Should actually have been sleeping by now, but was caught up in your universe. Thank you ❤. Loved the 'Totoro' stones in the wall. I've been watching Miyazakis poetic storytelling repeatedly with my children, throughout their childhood. Still do it with my youngest daughter - she's 15 now 😊.

[@sakesfairy]

The birthday letter was so sweet, keeping in touch with Yumi-san's family is amazing but perfectly fitting with your journey. I loved your reflections, I'll try to see the beauty here where I live. thanks for sharing ❤

[@denisetaylor4528]

Totally agree, the birthday remembrance with Yuma-san’s family was so beautiful

[@Kyle-xv5kv]

Watching this has helped me feel a little more grounded. Thank you.

[@fianorian]

I loved seeing all those beautiful old stone walls.

[@gwendolynvaliente3539]

Another beautiful and thought filled video ❤

[@Metalicspark]

This gave me some "dictionary of obscure sorrows" vibes, and I absolutely love it.

[@stephenfreeman8617]

You know when a short film with careful narration is good, when I get annoyed by the adverts that interrupt the story telling 😖. Great work Bethany 👏.

[@c.f.callier]

I highly enjoy your videos for how artistic they are. This one had me oohing quite a bit.

[@rusnsc7622]

Quite a beautifully done video about one of my favorite countries in the world….for its people foremost and geographic splendor of course. Domo!

[@hagcountess6232]

This was beautiful. Thank you!

[@21Redlion]

This was absolutley beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

[@salvationindustries]

Wow, you have blown up fast it seems! I was watching the sponsorship part of the video and wondered: "How did such a small creator got a sponsorship" and then I saw that you have more than 30K subscribers now!! Congrats! I remember not so long ago when your videos had like 100-1000 views and a few comments. Times sure have changed!

[@MonkeyF1st]

This video was very calming and refreshing. Thank you for sharing!

[@RealRuralJapan]

Beautiful video!

[@bighappyhotgood]

Such a touching video and commentary. Thank you.

[@TedByars]

Love your videos, Thank you

[@gerdriechers8426]

Wonderfull video, Thank you.

[@mindaugasryskus46]

Your videos are so mesmerising, story telling so captivating. Thank You.

[@chrischaisson7480]

Wow, just keep doing what you are doing!!

[@dr.jeffreyzacko-smith324]

Wonderful video … transcendent experiences! Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@PeterJames468]

Such a lovely video. Thank you for showing this to us.

[@hitokitty]

Watching this I fall back in melancholic daydreams of my childhood... Thanks for this exploration in mindfulness!

[@Shaz221]

I don't think I was prepared for this video, especially the introduction. I am dealing with grief and not doing too well, but your words were incredibly beautiful and soothing. Thank you 🤍

[@kathysterndahl3134]

Your videos make me so homesick for Japan! I was only there for six months twenty-one years ago but I loved it and had planned to stay before life interfered with my plans. I would love to do what you have done, but I’m now 71 years old. I think it too late to start again.

[@taylorcarlson8537]

Love it! Can’t wait for the next one. 宜しくお願いします！

[@jpw8767]

crazy how i don't really identify with most things in this video but i feel it bringing out some kind of resonance with these values

[@ellies6563]

Beautiful video 🙏

[@robertgulfshores4463]

My eyes are misty. This episode was beautiful, and gentle, and whimsical, but sad too, in a good way. Thanks again.

[@rajeshpareek3390]

Again a beautiful narrative along with tranquil landscape of Ehime.

[@Disappointed739]

Very appreciated, and insightful.

[@helpfulcommenter]

i like your videos such a breath of fresh air

[@georginatwentysomething]

I often have videos running in the background while playing games or doing chores. But for some reason this video touched me on another level, I stopped what I was doing and just watched and listened. Thank you for this beautiful video!

[@marcogroot545]

That is very beautifully done

[@honeykat1]

A beautiful, thoughtful and thought-provoking video. Thank you!

[@lordtucor8309]

Beautiful video :) Hope you will have a wonderful weekend .

[@yourmaid4982]

glad to see you on YT

[@PierreblakeMarketingSEO]

One of your best videos ❤

[@govegan562]

beautifully made video

[@Midnighter1886]

Lovely poetic words. I'm exploring Shikoku now. 🙂

[@susansamata3696]

What a really lovely tribute to your new home!

[@giantpandaz155]

Poetic narrative and beautiful footage as usual. Thanks for uploading!! ^_^

[@torreym]

Powerful cinematography! Great job! Looking forward to following along. I'm living in Zushi (Kanagawa). Dreaming of smaller town life.

[@miriamk.5644]

I'm so glad to have found your channel here on KZbin. Your reflections about design and life are just beautiful.

[@alansturk4756]

Such sensitive filming and commentary. Thank you. Your corner of Shikoku will always evoke pleasant memories for me, so your videos are extra special.

[@shirokumakogyo]

Another perceptive and beautifully edited video--thank you for the positive messages and gorgeous images! Living in a semi-rural area (on the coast) myself, the issues of depopulation, abandoned (as opposed to simply vacant) houses and the "shrinking" of Japan as a whole come up in conversation almost daily. I also follow several vlogs of young people trying to restore old houses--again, mostly in rural areas--and for me it brings up a conundrum: Despite the government and big business here insisting otherwise, Japan *is* inevitably and inexorably shrinking--in population, in economic scale, in the viability of its less urban living environments--but no one seems to be addressing the big issue of what a smaller Japan should look like or how it should sustain itself. And so much focus is put on the "abandoned house" problem nationwide--that they're an eyesore, that they drive further depopulation, that they generate considerable environmental costs (some of the houses may "return to nature," but oftentimes--especially on farming properties--they're packed to the rafters with objects--machinery, plastics, chemicals--that will not). But if no one is left in these places to see this degradation, does it matter? I don't know. What bothers me most, I guess, is that the country's leaders knew, as early as the late 60s, that its population was in decline and its demographic "tree" was slowly being upended, and yet maintained a growth-at-all-costs, full-steam-ahead approach until today, when the economic engine is quickly running out of fuel and it's nearly too late to reverse the decline. They poured everything into the big cities and left the rest of the country to fend for itself. Okay, end of rant! I love where I live and try to, like you, focus on the positive and beautiful. 🙂

[@NickHchaos]

Very well stated. It seems that part of this approach was maintaining a low immigration policy at all costs, despite these issues, because East Asia is so concerned with its own identity and both real and mythological connotations of identity and race. It’s long seemed to me that compared to other countries, for instance, Japan would rather literally build robots to take care of old people than let Filipino woman in to do it.

[@cynthiaburns5233]

I always look forward to your videos, they are so heartwarming and beautiful, thank you. :)

[@AverageBot]

oohh first comment :D? Work is done and I get greeted with such content, that's a nice start into my weekend. Hope you all have a great weekend!!

[@AverageBot]

After I have seen it: Such great story telling. The stress and mental load I accumulate over the week just gets less by the minute watching your content. Thank you for that.

[@chrys_3636]

You truly explained why I love reusing and mending old things so much. The story, the process, the smaller impact on the environment. And it's beautiful, in many ways. I also loved hearing the letter to Yumi-san, I think she would sense that you do your best to honor her life and belongings while still honoring your own.

[@kristrimble3353]

Hi Bitsii - thank you for sharing this intentional video series. i can feel the detail and mindfulness put into each moment, transition, and music choice. this perspective on death/nature/cycles is one of the reasons why i'm planning to move to japan next year. i am half japanese and my grandmother had a house in kochi, on the same island you reside on. there has been much talk about how to somehow inherit this property, but it is complicated. excited to see what the next video brings to the world. thank you again~ 🙏✌

[@DIYJapan]

Gracefully done. Your edits are getting better and I’m enjoying your videos thanks for making!

[@MrZooganopolos]

Having had lived in Kochi-ken for three and a half years, your channel has been therapeutic in a sense. I often miss people and things that I'd once grown used to. I was an ALT with the JET Programme starting about ten years ago and came to love many of the things I'd seen and experienced during my journey. Unfortunately, I was suffering from schizophrenia which was still diagnosed at the time, which is part of the reason I no longer live on Shikoku and am now back in the north-east not too far from NYC. Your videos bring about a pleasant nostalgia of at time when I at least didn't think I was sick and was simply adventuring, though always a little unsettled. Since you'll likely be in Japan for many years, I'd recommend making your way to Kochi city at some point for the Yosakoi festival. If you're into more traditional festivals, there's also Akiba-matsuri around Niyodogawa town (where I'd lived and worked) on the beautiful Niyodo river. Both are pretty popular festivals for differing reasons and both highlight different aspects of things Japanese. Neither should be too distant, since you're in Ehime. Thanks for the videos and I look forward to seeing more in the future!

[@afistfulofvideos]

This was so lovely!!!

[@DCowell123]

I absolutely love how informative you are its not your typical overview I love japan you should come. I love your channel and everything about its approach, extremely down to earth!

[@amariafrost]

This was a really beautiful video.

[@trixiesauce]

beautiful shoreline, congrats on living on such a beautiful place, I can't stay away from the sea myself

[@Celeyo]

This speaks about things I've been thinking about recently in a very beautiful way. The reality of everything and everyone I love one day dying has been a difficult one to think about. I've had a lot of fear about it. I still fear it. But by facing it, and being more mindful about how I go about my days and how I treat those I love, it does help ease that fear a little bit. I think I'm slowly coming to accept it, which in turn makes life richer. Thank you for your beautiful videos. This one in particular helped me connect to my actual feelings rather than just thoughts about them (if that makes sense), and I don't know if you'll read this, but I want you to know I really appreciate that you're sharing your thoughts and views in such a wonderful way.

[@tedlasalvia9668]

Another beautiful video Bitsii!! I love the depth of your videos and the feelings they evoke in me. On another note, my daughter and I will be taking our first trip to Japan at the beginning of June (the Tokyo and surrounding areas). We plan on using this trip a springboard to future trips both south and north of the Tokyo area. Someday, I'd like to travel the breadth of Japan! Keep those great videos coming!

[@bitsii]

How exciting! I hope you have a great trip!

[@GarnetReign]

I'm so inspired by your courageous, adventurous, and humble spirit. Your choice to move to this new place and become a part of this community is wonderful! I would love to do this, even just to rent and fix up an old home for someone else to enjoy. But, being from Maine (and not comfortable around poisonous house guests), I think I would feel more at home in Hokkaido. I still need to do more research on the native fauna, though. Good luck! ❤

[@ariariaris]

Wonderful video, I really like when you do voiceover like this!

[@dianorrington]

So contemplative and perceptive. How beautiful. The small community that has embraced you looks very special indeed. Oh, to have been a young child lucky enough to have grown up there...! I lived in an early Showa era house in Kyoto for 8 years and you have captured most of the things I loved about it (and still dearly miss). I envy your adventures and look forward to following along. Intentional living, indeed! :)

[@rajeshpareek3390]

NIce choice of words - intentional living

[@dianorrington]

@@rajeshpareek3390 I can't take the credit...they were Bitsii's, not mine. ;) But I do like them too. Living with intention feels like actually living, as opposed to just existing and mindlessly going through the motions.

[@newgirlfrommars]

Same as the others, I felt at peace just listening to you narrate and watching lovely clips of my fave place on earth, Japan! Shared your video to my boyfriend as we both dream of living a simple and quiet life! Subscribed and can't wait to see more videos of your life in your new and lovely home! ❤️

[@ccbphoto]

Such a beautiful video! 🙏

[@jacksonhardyphotography59]

Enjoyed the video! Continue the great work!

[@patterbay]

Thanks for sharing these videos!. Small rural Japanese areas and their charms and problems interest me to no end as a town/regional planner. I loved your prose about the side effects of interior design. It hit me so hard likely because of my situation of basically having to have "Public opinions and ethics" vs my own private thoughts about the efforts toward sustainability and choosing the most cost-efficient designs over the most lasting or visually appealing. I spent a year in Tokyo and some parts of rural Japan in my undergrad, and I've always wanted to return to the Japanese countryside to settle someday. But it looks like that still may be a couple years away for me. If/when it happens, I hope I can invest my time into a community as well as you have.

[@inknpaintCW]

A pleasant, brief journey of observation, thoughts and shared feelings. This is a good reminder to get back to Japan again. Much appreciated.

[@nicolaebulgaru]

This goes from strange to stranger. Your journey with this house in Japan mirrors my 15 year journey with a house in rural Romania. Mine was build over 60 years by a family who raised their children and grandchildren there. When i bought the house only the man was alive at 86 and he had only 2 more years to live. At every step i took to repair the house i wondered what grandpa Andrei would think about. You will see that every material used has his place.

[@watrgrl2]

This was such a sublimely beautiful documentary Bitsii! If I was younger I would follow in your footsteps. You are such a delightful person and your narration is thoughtful and calming. I love what you choose to talk about and highlight in your journey. You are a beautiful soul and I pray you can heal the bruised parts of yourself in this journey in a small Japanese village on a small island.

[@coconutpanda]

Beautifully said, beautifully done. The narrative made me quite emotional, tbh. I love that nature and the seasons are very much recognized and appreciated in Japan. It is important to mark the impermanent, fleeting passage of time. It is a perpetual reminder to appreciate and take care of what is in front of us, respect what has passed and look toward the future. It's wonderful that you seem to have found a deeper meaning for your life.

[@heykelll]

Thanks

[@W4iteFlame]

Ah...Bitsii...Bethany, now I get it

[@kingding-a-ling9794]

My mom's birthday recently passed, and it was really hard for me to celebrate her.... the beginning of this video put me to shame... i'm going to honor my mother better at right now😢😢

[@nathanglynn7443]

Dear bitsii, I just wanted to thank you for this video. Recently I have had a very heavy mind thinking about life and death. I turn 30 this year, I have multiple health problems like Non alcoholic fatty liver (despite being athletic and healthy) I recently developed a suspected csf leak as well. The anxiety has honestly wrecked my body and spread chaos in my mind. My life has greatly deteriorated lately. Watching this video I really felt so much comfort, happiness and peace. Japan is honestly so gorgeous, seeing the way nature is so entwined is amazing. Slow living really brings back the truth of life I feel, I feel maybe I need to learn to disconnect more and let it all go. This video weirdly dispelled all my fears and gave me hope. Thank you, I mean that.

[@TarekMarzouki]

Coming from a fellow who turned 30 a month ago, be patient I've been in those trenches and believe me it will pass just stay resilient and keep moving and as for the health issues I hope for wellness and prosperity towards you 👋

[@nelslindberg765]

This video is a big improvement over the early videos. You’ve gotten really good at it. Reminiscent of documentary films from the 1970’s (in a good way) in terms of editing and pace. Keep at it. 頑張ってください！

[@sleeplesswaves]

I really loved watching all your videos and look forward to more. I'm really curious to see you transform your house and see how your life progresses in the village. I'd love to hear about what kind of work you do there and how you got it, as it seems really hard for most foreigners to find a job in Japan, especially without being fluent. I dream of doing something like this!!! Sending good thoughts over the wires.