Ichiro and the 3 Traditional Kominka he bought in rural Japan - Fixer upper Akiya Houses Tour

[@pjstew9331]

Ichiro looks like a real Kominka sustainability warrior! Not Just a house flipper but rebuilding communities.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes I am glad he is willing to invest his time & energy in these old homes and the local community!

[@robertbrewer2190]

I wish it were possible to move there and devote myself almost exclusively to the restoration of the garden. It was once magnificent! I wish Ichiro-san the best in his efforts.

[@etherdog]

Ichiro-san is quite a character and seems like he must have spent some time in the US. It would be nice to know more of his back-story. He has ambitious plans but you can tell he is full of energy! Please follow-up with him as he makes progress. Great vid!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! He lived in Canada for quite some years actually. When I visit him next time I'll do some interviews on his background & story of buying this Kominka :)

[@mariakoszalin]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan Great idea!

[@naodwalk]

The term "out house" in the US means a small building, separate from the main house, containing only a toilet. Just in case you didn't know, Ichiro used the term correctly. I think some older, un-renovated Kyo Machiya have out houses too.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Devin for letting me know! I wasn't familiar with the term out house. Yes, toilets for kyo-machiya were usually outside of the main house back in the day.

[@MegaMastiffman]

This place is going to be incredible when he’s even halfway done!! That garden alone is Amazing!!!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! Yes he has a beautiful garden!

[@everythingisnand]

Ichiro-san has pretty good english! He did really well with this house tour!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! I will let Ichiro-san know about your compliment...!

[@AcidxAnarchy]

Can't wait to see how these look when he is finished with them.

[@yami2227]

There's is a tone of work to do but there is also a lot of valuable intact stuff, like the expensive stones from the garden, the new section to the house, the Huge family altar and the really nice location of the house. I personally wouldn't want to take on this project but I am glad someone is willing to do so.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes Ichiro has made a good choice taking over this Kominka. Excited to see it being brought back to life in a year or two...!

[@frankrivera4625]

It would be nice yo see s future video showing the progress of the renovation.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes I will try to visit his place from time to time!

[@rodelynpitcher7867]

I would love to see when they are done. So amazing that Ichiro-san is preserving the houses. Please be safe. Thank you so much for sharing. 😘❤️🙏

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Rodelyn! I'm glad Ichiro-san took on the challenge as well.

[@nuritdavid3348]

Amazing! Will be wonderful to follow the progress. I join the others' enthusiasm of Ichiro-san. Thank you.

[@MegaMastiffman]

Definitely do a follow up

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes will do!

[@softypapa]

Thank you for sharing this video. It’s quite a project! :-)

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you. It won't be a complete make-over, but he will be doing the renovation at his own pace.

[@fanglethorpe]

Ichiro's English is very impressive!!! God speed Ichiro!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! He has lived in Canada for quite a long time actually.

[@TiamatGamingPH]

It looks so normal outside the first few minute of introduction but the place is so huge inside and at the front area with a big space for garden! Amazing work and very well deserve to be preserve too!

[@mark-fd8ol]

I like the style of that house. lot of work needed to bring back to life but so worth it as, I can see what it can look when done. Hello from Kamloops B.C. Canada.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Mark. It already looks very charming but I'm sure it'll be even better with some repairs.

[@mariondavia8178]

Just in a few months when I arrived into Japan and I go to Kyoto I hope I'm lucky enough to you that you will meet with me and help me to find something similar to what you've been showing in your videos I'm very interested in retiring for my wife and myself and Japan I want to find something that I can fix it back to original so it will be beautiful as it was so I love your videos keep up the good work and like I say I'm hoping and asking that I might be lucky enough to meet you thank you bye

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Hi Marion, yes please let me know when you are here in Japan! Happy to meet and help.

[@RAZGR1Z]

A lot of potential in this house! Thanks for sharing.

[@danlin8310]

Thank you again for this inspirational video, Ichiro-san has my respect for his effort in preserving traditional houses, it will be a wonderful home to live and own. I wish to meet him and lend a hand if possible. 🙏

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you Dan! If you plan to visit him, send me an email and I can send over his address/contact. He is not far away from Hikone city.

[@ruralliberal1377]

what a beautiful house!

[@ronisworld2916]

i like the storage one.

[@timcastle1844]

A stunning house and garden.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you. Yes, and great view of the neighborhood as well :)

[@oldenslo4141]

When we visit Japan, it would be nice to rent a room for a few days. What nice places Ichiro-san has. Thank you for them to us. We look forward to seeing the progress.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you! Renting a room as renting a room at his Kominka? Anyway yes I think he has enough rooms to welcome a few guests 😂

[@ajadrew]

Love that garden at 5:29 with all the large stones... Looks like a lengthy project so it'd be great to see how it develops! Would love to meet Ichiro too!

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Hi Andrew, yes it'll be a long project... His place is not far away from Hikone city. If you are around, send me an email and I can send over his address/contact.

[@ajadrew]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan I appreciate that - however I'm in England 👍😊

[@deborahf3738]

Although there is a lot of damage, the homes are still very lovely.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

I am glad the house is in good hands now before it deteriorates even more!

[@midsue]

interesting stuff 👍

[@akiyajapan]

So much of this reminds me of mine...like they could be related lol. Even my kitchen is a disaster, and that's also the side with the roof problem.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

The kitchen area is always quite disastrous for these old Kominka houses 😂

[@akiyajapan]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan Mine has what I call the "potato chip floor," which is made up of brittle half-inch plywood that can support hardly anything. This is the same flooring that was used in my 2nd kura, which looks like it was used as a type of living quarters or guesthouse. Do you have any idea why the cheap, weak, "spongy" type plywood was used so much in many of these houses? It isn't good from the start, plus it doesn't last long! Very dangerous -- I fell through the floor of my kura during my first ever visit to the house and got scratched up. Luckily there was no major damage, but it could've easily been much worse.

[@Loyal-cat]

I lived in Seattle when Ichiro-San played for the Mariners. It looks like is working hard at restoring this house

[@AbeyantHero]

the neighborhood looks so quaint & I hope to see how they are repaired/renovated. What are more modern uses for the pit toilets without fully filling them in that others have done?

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes it was a nice neighbourhood. I don't think there are any modern uses for pit toilets... not sure what Ichiro-san wants to do with them, but will be good to have them cleaned at least.

[@ichirosekihara8985]

I am planning to renovate as gazebo and will enjoy having a cup of tea looking at garden:)

[@larrywave]

Nice 😇

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Thank you!

[@titiwa5768]

Good video! Curious to know the cost of the property. Huge renovation works!

[@hogiebb1]

Do the Japanese have renovation TV shows like in U.S.? If they dont, maybe they should. It would get people excited about revovation and reclaiming antiques.

[@frankrivera4625]

How old the house. Does he have a channel for the renovation.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

No, he doesn't (yet). The house is likely around 90-100 years old.

[@byronspence1]

What would the budget be to reform the house for living conditions?

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

It really depends on a person's standard of "living conditions". For old traditional houses, it's safe to budget at least 5mil yen just to renew all the kitchen/toilet/bathroom + some cosmetic work.

[@thany3]

Is that a huge spider at 18:23? 😱

[@Samuraistar92]

Did monks live here in the past?

[@zaneologytv]

hello, I want to come there and buy one. can you help me. My son has begun University, the house paid for and I have been thinking about this for two years.

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Hi please send me a mail at [e-mail] and let me know how I can help.

[@japanjapanno.1no.152]

How get one

[@MauricioYouTube]

Does Ichiro need help? Willing to go and lend a hand. Will work for a bed and food

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

I think he is actually happy to have extra hands if you are interested...!

[@ichirosekihara8985]

Sure you are very welcome.

[@MauricioYouTube]

@@ichirosekihara8985 I shall reach out to you?

[@Democraticcivilization]

yeah like I thought toilet is very prior to renovate

[@ichirosekihara8985]

Yes I will do to the flush toilet of course:)

[@ujjawaltyagi8540]

But how he is managing finances for all those renovations ??

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

He won't be doing a full-scale renovation. It's mostly basic repair and lots of cleaning...!! For the roof part, he had to ask professionals.

[@ujjawaltyagi8540]

@@GoodOldHousesJapan ooh ! thanks for the reply 🙌

[@larrywave]

Beard 🤔👍

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

Yes, Ichiro has a very nice beard!

[@ichirosekihara8985]

Shaved now:)

[@fredy271185]

is japanese people believe in fengshui?

[@GoodOldHousesJapan]

For some reason, it's quite rare to find Japanese people that understands/believes in Fengshui.

[@dancostello6465]

Did the village empty to the city. Did the Buddhists all move to the next life.

[@ichirosekihara8985]

People lives there quietly.