Japanese Abandoned House Renovation #2 | Shed Demolition & Lawn Preparation

[@rickwagner-]

You're one of the few people who can make watching grass grow actually interesting. : )

[@TokyoLlama]

Ha ha, I’ve been watching a lot of KZbin lawn channels recently - there are some pretty fun ones!

[@shamkand]

Yes!!! It made me so curious :) I was so happy when I saw green

[@sandygraetz5166]

How’s the serenity? ...I guess you’ve never watched the movie The Castle ha ha ha😂🤣😆

[@veramae4098]

Maybe he needs a kind of swale: a very shallow area that collect water when the rains are heavy, drying out to just a very moist area in dry weather. Plant native plants which normally grow in such areas. Don't mow. In U.S., called a "wetlands" or sometimes a "rain garden". Plants that like wetlands often flower spectacularly and will attract butterflies and other important pollinating species. Our mania for draining land to dry it out is endangering these small ecosystems. Tip: Don't plant in areas that already often have standing water (unless you fix it). The water is proof the soil is hard. You want soil that will let the rains soak in.

[@auditoryscenes]

Imagination: Looking at the garden and drink tea Reality: Looking at the garden and drink beer

[@urishima]

A litte bit of Australia mixed in.

[@josieblanco4587]

So beautiful this house after renobation more on old and new style

[@jadahutt]

Australian Tea

[@barbarahart710]

The man running the claw was magician.

[@fernhouse2770]

Indeed! And I noticed how neatly they stacked the debris in the truck. Way different than it would be done here in Maine, USA ;)

[@peterchapman7615]

I enjoyed hearing the backing instructions being shouted to the loader driver as they reverse the vehicle into place for unloading: "Hai, orai, orai... ["alright]"]" and then maybe "Hai sutoppu! ["stop"]". Terms like these, I was told when I lived in Tokyo 1969-1970, originated when US occupation forces post World War II brought their jeeps into the narrow back alleys of the big cities, where even a small vehicle like a jeep needed guidance and advice (freely offered by the local housewives) to negotiate the tight turns.

[@TokyoLlama]

Very interesting. Japanese also use “sutoppu” to tell their children to stop doing something.

[@peterchapman7615]

@@TokyoLlama I am sure many borrowed words pre-date the occupation. But I recall hearing the traffic terms used when I lived in an old part of Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, near Tokyo University, and my landlady would always go outside to help guide anything mechanized through the narrow laneways. By then (1969) the jeeps had gone, but increasingly, the new generation of small Japanese trucks would come delivering new furniture and household goods... as Japanese consumer culture started to take off. Before those times, the households occupying the narrow back streets and laneways had few reasons to require a vehicle to deliver anything. So my landlady, I thought at the time, was always keen to see what the neighbours were having delivered... kept her on top of the gossip.

[@joseangelrendon]

Always looking forward to your renovation updates!

[@Utoarth]

The same

[@mageedays]

Me too. I like old house then they renovated and it keeps me got interested more bec im looking forward to what would be the outcome after.. it was abandoned. ❤️👍

[@Dog_Am]

How do i fast forward 5 years to see what their home looks like then?

[@Greytusks]

With most of the shrubbery gone and the unused sheds gone too, the architecture of the house is more visible and it looks great!

[@camimistowls7834]

It’s amazing how much brighter the house looks from the inside now that the sheds are gone! It gives it a completely different feeling compared to the previous videos. So clean and airy looking, natural light makes such a difference.

[@hayden1351]

I saw this and clicked on it immediately I adore watching this take shape

[@fizzzy9748]

i did the same.. love the video

[@engelbig]

Me too... Such an inspiration to watch this beautiful Japanese house getting its glorious tranquility and light back. Thank you so much for sharing your hard work with us

[@lovelybaby517]

Me too!! 😭

[@kamanama3671]

I know I'm being greedy but when's the next one LOL

[@Riley_1955]

Include me too.....Love the progress you've made since buying the property.....Keep the videos coming.

[@jackielinde7568]

Congratulations on the progress. It looks great. I'm surprised Japan would let you import non-native grass seed, and grass can easily become an invasive species. (Tip: Don't EVER plant Bermuda or Bermuda Blends. That stuff spreads like weeds and you'll never be rid of it even if you want to. Also, don't worry about the poor quality topsoil. As long as it's clean infill (Free of inorganic things like bits of glass, metals, and concrete), you're fine. Just mix in some fertilizer, compost, or manure to bring that stuff back up to healthy.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks for the info on the topsoil. Main problem was that it was too clayey when I bought it specifically to help with the clayey subsoil (it didn’t seem to be that sticky when I went to the seller to check it). Kentucky bluegrass is commonly used here though I do see where you’re coming from in regards to local species. I also see the point about the lawn. If we didn’t have kids I don’t think we would go for a lawn to be honest. They play soccer and I think it would be a great place for them and their friends. They currently play on the street.

[@davidhwang4221]

@@TokyoLlama Living in Korea, I assume the native grass is similar to Japan. In winter, it goes brown and grows in patches.

[@A_Lion_In_The_Sun]

I would assume they use zoysia grass there? It's very tough, a good turf grass for active lawns, but yea, in winter it turns brown like hay and looks dead.

[@jackielinde7568]

@@TokyoLlama Well, the good news is that the soil should be fairly rich nutrient wise. Adding organic matter to help boost that and to increase drainage is all you really should need. Worse case, you may need to do something to the lawn to aerate it in the spring. As for the lawn, I understand completely. I have my own child (although, at 17, I don't think she's much of a child anymore.) We live on a half mile street (Phoenix, AZ has a grid plan, and mile streets are the major thoroughfares.) Being that, idiots like to use my street as a race track. So back yards with lawns are good things for happy and active children.

[@confusedwhale]

@@TokyoLlama : Next time when you examine soil, you want to take a clump and add water to it. Form it into a log about the size of a finger and keep rolling it to dry it out. You can see what the consistency is probably going to be.

[@ddolo6606]

we need the 20min + videos back, 10 min aint enough. loving this

[@makeuplover6852]

Agree!! :) 20-30 mins would be great, just getting in to this and then it ends ..so sad, :( I LOVE this channel and was so excited to see an update.

[@xw6968]

dead poet we would like, not need ;)

[@sorayyahyusrizal7692]

Never been agree more than this with a comment before.

[@verofrrz214]

dead poet exactly!!

[@wendymorrison5803]

I watch this over and over. The beauty of the house revealed as the sheds are taken away. The neighbours must be overjoyed.

[@3sechsund80er]

To see this property come back to life was unbelievably gratifying!

[@socialkruption]

I would normally tilt my head sideways when demo stuff just for open space but in your case, it was the right decision, also cheers on sloping the lawn, I see soo many people not do this.

[@TokidokiTraveller]

What a transformation! Love the lawn, and loved the music choice during the demolition haha. Ever since I started watching your videos I keep looking up second hand countryside houses and thinking of the possibilities. Not sure if I have the tenacity for an 空家though 😅Love your updates and can’t wait for the next video!

[@TokyoLlama]

Go for it - it’s the sort of thing that you jump in the deep end and see if you can swim!

[@jasonbabila6006]

Looks so much better when the lot is opened up and having a lawn around the house.

[@yitaozhou]

Aussie handyman plus Japenses Lifestyle, what a perfect combination!

[@TheHeroSaver]

That place looks so massive not crowded by sheds, very impressive building

[@veramae4098]

Farms grow "outbuildings" almost as another crop!

[@joon4768]

3:47 Really made me smile. The Japanese are so genuine and hardworking.

[@mankin15]

After you completed your house, you should do an 1 hour special in the style of the Japanese show, before and after. I remember there was an episode where the architect renovated a really huge house. It was really nice to watch

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Nice update and amazing to see the work progress. I’m so happy to see the channel growing fast - keep up the good work Jaya! -John

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks John, you’ll have to come and visit some time!

[@nattartz6841]

By far my favourite thing on KZbin right now. Congrats dude, we all love to see you succeed!

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks so much!

[@markn.reprisal9472]

Wish I could live in a genuine _WORK OF _*_ART_*_ !!!_

[@OddLeah]

The demolition company did a beautiful job. I enjoyed watching the equipment operator manipulate the "jaws" so precisely.

[@onnasun8122]

That bulldozer is fabulous!

[@natrone23]

Onna Sun Excavator*

[@jodirauth8847]

You have made huge progress and made such a dramatic change. I bet the neighbors are so grateful for your efforts. This place will be so beautiful in a year or two with proper sunshine and water and care. Your so fortunate to have found this place.

[@mitchellbrowne6140]

Gotta love that Castle reference!

[@BarryWarne]

something so timeless and placeless about this - the mix of your Aussie accent plus Kentucky grass plus Japanese house and the sprinkler and beautiful November all add up to subliminal experience for any viewer. Ultimately very zen, mate

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks mate, glad it was interesting!

[@dvillebenny1445]

You should have saved the tractor. It would have saved your back. lol But I must admit the bluegrass is the way to go with rye. Next year add Kentucky 31Fescue and it will thicken and secure the base from erosion. I wasn't aware you could buy Kentucky grass seed in Japan. I live in the Bluegrass state.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks - perhaps should have tried harder to get the tractor working. They use Kentucky bluegrass here often on golf courses.

[@rickyricardo4718]

Tokyo Llama - You did fine. The resources spent repairing machinery would offset your productivity. It’s not an expansive property anyway. That roof is amazing! 👍

[@catsbyondrepair]

@@TokyoLlama buy another tractor

[@dvillebenny1445]

@@TokyoLlama This bluegrass works well in sunny situations. It is OK in the shade but won't grow thick. Fescue as an addition will help fill in the gaps. You can add it next year. These two grasses we use together for beautiful lawns in Kentucky. Just like you have a history of Zoya grass.

[@sambaker3233]

@@TokyoLlama theres a Kiwi guy from Nelson on youtube who finds and restores old farming and construction machines... I forget his name, but his videos would have been handy for info on how to repair the old tractor.

[@pockethole1900]

How neatly that bobcat driver loaded the barn into the dumpster!

[@OnyxBlad3]

Good luck with your renovations! You sure have been putting in A lot of work along with everyone who has helped you!

[@EricSteinborn]

That feeling at 9:22 looking out at your beautiful garden and hard work with a beer is worth the price of admission.

[@deintri]

First one here!♡ Happy holidays from South Korea, love your videos and good luck with the renovation.

[@rudeminnesotan]

snappin hey! I'm. Watcher from Korea too! Lol

[@devg3022]

Not even sure how I came upon your videos, but now I can't stop watching because the content is so interesting. Keep up the great work!

[@hansoconner6898]

Great job! Love the channel! Cannot wait for the next video! 👍😊

[@nieztoy]

What a difference from when you guys bought the place. The previous owner who passed away is smiling down on you and your family for giving the place a new lease in life. That the house will be lived in and enjoyed again by a family. Looking forward to your next video.

[@anubis2076]

Having just completed a lawn renovation myself its a beautiful sight when that grass starts growing.

[@TokyoLlama]

Yes, I can’t stop staring at my lawn. Which annoys my wife.

[@brewcology]

Looking awesome already with all that free space 🍻

[@RosaMartinez-rc5zq]

I’ve become so emotionally invested in your builds I can’t wait to see the final product

[@robertkoons1154]

Your sons will appreciate the hard work you put in on the cleanup as they grow older. Beautiful work.

[@overthecounterbeanie]

Watching that old shack get wrecked was sooo satisfying.

[@guyhamiltonyt]

I'm a professional landscape gardener with my own business, and I can say, you did a very good job on that lawn, and don't feel so bad about the topsoil you ordered, in actual fact often the soil that looks bad or seemingly low quality is best, when it has a sandy, stoney makeup it allows for excellent drainage and for the roots to establish well, what you can do to fix the patchy parts is cover in a thin layer of soil again, sow the seed, and the trade secret is to lightly tread on the seed sown, dont rake over it, and then get a watering can and mix liquid fertiliser heavily diluted, one week after you sow the seed water it with this, and within one week your grass will be the best in the neighbourhood :)

[@DisappearingBunny]

Thank you so much for sharing this process!

[@ilhamn1177]

I'm here for the lawn and gardening tips, and seeing someone work this hard for renovation gives me a push for doing my renovation works here (for my homr)

[@JAY-wn2hr]

I have to say, this really puts a smile on my face. Thank you and please don't stop!

[@micaghisolfomg]

Don't mind me, I'm just gonna binge watch all of the videos bc I'm fascinated about the process (also, really admirable all the hard work put into this)

[@neonboredem]

You did a great job leveling the yard and the planted grass is growing in well! Can't wait for the next video.

[@hdcandela5697]

I am impressed with the considerate, attention to detail, organized method and proper order in which the demolition is done.

[@Thestorm48]

My favorite video of your’s so far. I can’t stress enough how beautiful progress is and your decision to take a gamble on this home is looking better with each video! Congrats again

[@TokyoLlama]

Thank you!

[@floridacowie]

the wide shot of the new lawn is breathtaking! good for my soul, thank you!

[@WambwneD]

I can't wait to see how it looks when everything is finished.

[@kwazimoto]

I love how you can go with the cheapest quote in Japan knowing that you're almost undoubtedly still going to get craftsmen who take pride in their work and will perform a top quality job.

[@russredman6427]

Wonderful wonderful. Really coming together with the views from inside expected to be spectacular! Lots of light.perfect. loving this. The house is LOOKING grand situated on that cleared lot. You must be so pleased. Your vision is LOOKING to be better than expected. A very elusive quality. Kudos keep em coming please.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks so much.

[@luanllluan]

Four years later, it is still great following this journey! And that tea was great lol

[@jp0308]

The hard work is paying off! Your home will soon be a lovely estate! Thanks for sharing!

[@larrypantsu3233]

Very nice video and high production quality keep it up :)

[@MiaogisTeas]

09:23 "Its gonna be very nice sitting on the tatami looking out on the garden and drinking tea." *puts down beer*

[@interactii]

The grass looks great and it's so much brighter and nicer in the house with the sheds gone, and I love the little garden right outside the window. Doing all that earth moving by hand is such hard work!

[@megtetz]

These videos are getting more and more satisfying!

[@eileencollins8799]

I can't tell you just how much I look forward to your monthly updates! All your hard work in creating open space will be well worth it as the garden will truly enhance your lovely house. Congratulations on all your hard work, and the growth of muscles!

[@dawnbaker9274]

Love watching the progress. You have a good blend of talking and photography. Thank you for your time and efforts.

[@StarrySeagull]

Im so glad you saved parts of the sheds, especially the roof tiles. I was afraid they were going to be destroyed but then was really happy when I saw them being removed

[@olitorres8159]

I'm a bit late on watching this, but WOW this looks like a different property from it was before. You are doing GREAT. Can't wait for the complete outcome of this renovation

[@ericsevern]

Removing those sheds was an excellent idea. The house looks beautiful in the open. You’ve really lucked out in finding it, and your efforts at restoring it are commendable.

[@CROFTSIMON]

Magical Vlog especially as we're just in the process of looking for an Akiya in Wakayama, so this has been of great help. Can't wait for the next episode!

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks, good luck with your search!

[@lawlicht8092]

Dude I'm 27 right now but your life right there is EXACTLY how I visioned what I want my pension life to be!

[@jeremyfernandez6598]

3:46 Wasn't expecting that LOL

[@TokyoLlama]

Lol, it wasn’t planned, didn’t choose the music because of the finish and by coincidence it all finished around the same time so I made sure it synced up.

[@matthewgibson4936]

8 days! Give those workers a raise! They did great.

[@KaylaOfOz]

I really love that people are watching this and leaving positive feedback and suggestions.

[@satoau1]

looking excellent! and a great example of how good japanese houses really could be. "...looking out while drinking tea" followed by the bang of a beer can was a nice touch.

[@Onward1969]

Keep up the good work, I find this really interesting. I watch a lot of renovation shows, but I’ve never seen one from Japan. This is cool on many levels.

[@iammadaboutdogs]

Completely stunning, I think out of everything this has made the biggest difference, It's like a new place! & a huge well done for doing all of that by hand, it's hard work, especially on that size area.

[@NavigatedChaos]

I love the look we have now with the buildings gone but that being said, I'm worried. The main road there is up a hill from your yard. I'd be worried about water and garbage run off from the main road. There could be possible cases of flooding because of it. I am however curious if you're going to fence that area off though. I'm really excited to see what you do with the out building and the ceilings in the main house as well. Also curious if there will be any privacy bamboo thrown up in the later years. But with the useless sheds out of the way, it's very beautiful now.

[@TokyoLlama]

Yes, good point. That road is not so busy - it’s a small single lane road. The main concern was flooding as there is a flood plain and small river on the other side, and according to hazard maps there is a 50cm flood risk in our area (we overlook a valley so main issue would be water rushing past our place). Though it hasn’t flooded for decades and stood up well to the recent typhoons when we received record rain. I have thought about planting trees (cherry blossom?) along the border but we’ll see how we go.

[@yeevita]

Yoi can direct the water using mounds and back them with a row of bushes and trees. Along the water route, you can plant water filtering plants. Hmmm maybe even water resting zones, such as a pond or two with a birdge.

[@markroeder2491]

@@yeevita Yes, no property is complete without it's own birdge! I prefer the African variety as compared to the common European one, and finches can be so pesky.

[@lesliekilgore648]

nod, something that's native to the region, grows fast, and will root relatively deep. as always ;) ask the neighbors. ;) they'll know what they and everybody else on the street and the surrounding areas has been doing that's worked and didn't. :D 19.5" 50centimeters? whew. whistles faintly. 1' 7" damn. hmm! that's kinda deep. how's the drainage on either side of that small single lane road? and what's it's height at the road crest compared to the flood plain and river? is it a curved crest, sloped, camber, caster? hmm entirely straight or is there a curve or arc to the run of the road? does it rise or fall any? whew, there's so many variables for water movement. I live in an incredibly hilly and old (my house was built in 1957 and an addition was added in 1977) sub-division in North Eastern Alabama so we're kinda used to upwards of a foot/30cm or so of rain dumping on us in a day. especially when the leftovers of Gulf of Mexico hurricanes reach this far North from the coast. hahaha I'd say Southern American Cottonwoods but they'd probably laugh at you if you asked about those at the lawn n garden store. what do you think of evergreens? I know there's many dwarfs in Japan that grow insanely fast but not very tall. I'd guess you don't want to replace the long sightlines you gained by removing those sheds and add trees growing up between your house and the river. bushes might help too but they don't normally root deep enough to do more than hold a foot or so of earth together. :) I guess the worst thing you could do would be nothing. check the upstream flood gages with the City and Prefectural weather/flood monitoring centers. if the gages are old, they need to be updated. especially if there's many homes in the downstream areas like yours that might have flood risks. hmm, is it a very wide and slow and lazy river? or a tight and narrow and energetic river? the tight and narrow ones don't flood easily because their banks tend to keep them flowing faster and that flow will move a higher volume of water faster and for longer distances. if it's wide and slow and lazy, it'll flood easily and the flow rate will be lower and the chances of the river going over it's banks much higher. plus there's what the banks are made of. if they're solid and grassy and wooded and protected that would help. or if they've been improved with stone or concrete banks by humans. hmm. :)

[@shanslam1970]

Wow what a difference losing the sheds has made!

[@jokrg]

I am sure you are glad it did not rain until the demo was completed.

[@TokyoLlama]

It did rain one day but they were rushing to finish. (Typhoon offshore).

[@moonjimunji7916]

some people are so good at making a plan and going through with it, i cant even plan an hour ahead

[@frankgalliard8388]

Such a beautiful journey. Congrats. Beautiful work and a one of a kind life time experience.

[@meantforu222]

My gf and I love your content. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us.

[@51773chase]

It's looking amazing! You should be proud of yourselves! 💪 & I just noticed 81k subs?!?! Congrats!!! I've never been to a channel early enough to watch it grow like this, & its awesome!

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks - appreciate your support right from the beginning!

[@kellyquinn1468]

Love watching you transform your auction property into your dream home. Such a diamond in the rough.

[@vincematira9523]

YESSS after a month you uploaded a video I'm follower of your videos

[@mageedays]

Your renewed Japanese house so fascinating... ☺️

[@Maraboop]

Eeeee~! I'm so happy there's a new video, i love watching the progress!

[@DurosKlav]

Just randomly had your video about buying this place pop up on my recommends and ended up watching all the ones you've put up. It legit took me until you started talking to realize this was the same place you started with because of how different it looked without the shed.

[@svicciarelli]

Great stuff. Didn’t want it to end.

[@josephlanning6409]

Quite a while since this video came online. Now YT has added an interesting feature which show us what part of the video people watch the most. Tbh, i am not surprised it was the Beetle larvae that people interested in the most. I like them as well, since beetle is quite rare in my area.

[@grimrider3807]

Really interesting series here, can’t wait to see the decorated final building. So insightful, thank you for sharinf

[@shikatanai]

You've done such great work in just 10 months. It's been great to watch the transformation through the videos you've made. Having a lawn and a garden really makes your home and property shine! I'm living in Canada and just bought my first home in October. My house was in quite a sorry state when I bought it, much like your akiya, though yours had more clutter for sure!! Since October I've done renos like cutting down trees and bushes, breaking up and removing tile from the floor, ripping up old laminate floor and laying new flooring, replacing drywall, doing electrical work, etc. All of this is to say that I can appreciate the amount of effort that goes into the work you're doing, on top of recording everything and editing the footage before posting it for us to see. Thank you very much for the content - I am really excited to see you continue this video series. I wish you the best of luck with your future renovations

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks so much! Good luck with your renovations too!

[@dbbangbang429]

OMG. I've never been so excited like this in just watching home renovation. That's a lot of hard work and expenses. I wish you and your family happiness and good memories as you start living in your new house. I'm so excited for a house tour video! *That thing you used to demolish those sheds is so cute. Take care always and advance Merry Christmas!

[@lightshine6851]

Wow the demo company did a wonderful job! It's not often you see such care here in the US. It's great to see people that take pride in their work.

[@TokyoLlama]

They even apologised to me at the end that they left some roots sticking out - next day a typhoon was coming so they needed to finish by that evening.

[@danCPUT]

"Hows the serenity"

[@TokyoLlama]

So much serenity.

[@jaiga15]

its crazy how you probably set up this channel just to record your progress in the house but we are so invested in your journey! I really hope that even after you've finished with the house , you carry on with videos on living in the space, new projects with the house and experience in living in the countryside!

[@olivegrove2615]

Beautiful work, the serenity 🕊♥️🙏🐨🍀🇦🇺

[@dariuspringle3049]

Your fur bearing children look so comfortable in their grey onesies.

[@kodoyama]

You truly have struck gold with this property, it's just amazing. Really enjoying watching the progress, it's going to look stunning when you're finished.

[@tobiaskrohn4510]

Great update! Hard work but it looks so much better!

[@Wulfnstein]

Nice results in the garden, love the view from inside the house to the garden.

[@starchiron8269]

Good job! So happy for your progress.

[@noreworks]

Man,you’re living the life. May your house give happiness to all your family. Cheers

[@safwan_saad5774]

Got to love japanese work ethic. Even stacking debris in truck look organize. Meanwhile my workers in malaysia just dump in truck and go.lol

[@emmaburdette8368]

Extremely satisfying timelapse. Love all the work done so far.