What we did to get our countryside house in Japan ready for winter

[@amaeda20852]

I am Japanese and grew up in a traditional house in Tokyo - built during Meiji era - which required regular change of shoji papers plus sun-drying of tatami mats. I recall making glue for the shoji papers by cooking rice in a lot of water until it thickened into a thick white paste. This was Tokyo in the 1960s - when it regularly snowed in winter and we would all curl up in the kotatsu with mikan tangerine. I no longer know of any Japanese who make the rice glue to repair their shoji... brings back sweet childhood memories, so thank you for sharing your story in rural Shikoku. And Pancake is adorable!

[@fvmiller1193]

Lovely to read your memories. I lived in Japan as a young person but as I am getting older, I have really fallen in love with more traditional Japanese approaches to the seasons, cooking and clever ways to make life more enjoyable. My dream is to return and stay for a while. Maybe one day…

[@KantoCafe715]

I changed shoji in my Japanese house every new year in Japan but yes I didn’t use homemade rice glue.

[@emilyjones4736]

why are you so cute lol I mean Japan lol

[@Showastatism4life]

MIYA SAN! MIYA SAN!

[@blessedbeauty2293]

- Such great memories you share. ❤

[@sofiasky5770]

That scene with pancake and Jesse at the window had me laughing 😂 You have mad story building and editing skills! Chapeau!

[@davidvasta]

Same here...I cracked up

[@gordonbgraham]

Love your vignettes of life in the Japanese countryside. I've lived in Japan since 1988. I'm not interested in most of the Japan content on KZbin. This is much better. Love the timing of your shots...the visual perspectives and the stories. It's all just right. Thanks for your effort and sharing it with us.

[@mask2157]

Gord

[@marissapleasant5529]

I consume a lot of Japanese content as I’m preparing to travel for the first time but countryside living has been the most beautiful wholesome content I’ve watched. But I think it’s bc I grew up in a very rural manner & find this way of life soooo comforting

[@gordonbgraham]

@@marissapleasant5529 If you’re in Tokyo, I recommend a short trip to Chichibu. There’s an express train from Ikebukuro station on the Yamanote Line. You can find an Air B and B near Chichibu station. It’s a traditional town surrounded by nature. I rent a whole apartment for ¥3000 when I stay. Its awesome

[@jdee2482]

Your photographic and narrative skills were key to my subscription. I walked into a different experience. Thank you.

[@valarya]

Seeing Pancake do zoomies in the snow had me grinning from ear to ear. I can't imagine how cold it is waking up to see your own breath in your own house, but at least you have some pancake snuggles! 😊 Hope you guys had a wonderful holiday season! shinnen omedetô gozaimasu 新年おめでとう ございます

[@CatieChapman]

There are many comments saying this, but the way you film the world portrays it so simply and candidly yet in such a way that it feels profound. And that’s art! I hope you continue to make and find joy in it, as I (and others) certainly appreciate being able to watch it. A bit of a cheesy comment but ❤️

[@maigomika]

Please continue to leave cheesy comments. I love them. 🥰 Honestly it's comments like these that make me so more inspired to make more.

[@lodunost]

In my friends Japanese house I built him an oil lamp convection heater. I think he can heat it for less than 3.00 USD a week back in 2022. Carbon Felt for your wick if you want them to last longer. I'm suppose to go back this year in June and work on a cooling solution. So far in their 500 square foot they live in stays really toasty. They have a wood burning stove as well but they haven't needed it since we built the convection heater. I love the house you guys have it's amazing and there is nothing like the countryside in Japan. I cherish my time when I get to visit. Remember to use steel parts if you build an Oil Lamp Convection heater and always space the heater from the concrete backing board. Also, you want to make spacers and space the concrete backing board that mounts the heater away from the wall as well. It's a fun project and I encourage people to try it. I have a cabin in Alaska, and this is how I heat my place out in the middle of nowhere.

[@shinikeda4302]

Hey Mika-san! Hello from New York City! One quick wood splitting trick for Jesse. Grab an old tire with a large radius and pack the wood you're splitting inside the hole. Split the wood in there and he won't need to keep on picking up the split wood to make smaller wedges as it'll stay inside the tire. The tire also acts as the base so the blade will never hit the ground. I picked it up in a random Norwegian wood splitting book and that's how i split wood at my Pennsylvania country house. Hope he and his lower back will appreciate it!

[@siobhanrose1680]

Pancake is one wild doggo! He is full of beans. Very cute, very funny. Puppies are hard work, I hope he is getting the stimulation needed, he looks very smart and very full of energy.

[@siobhanrose1680]

He really wants to help with all of the things you guys do! Funny, busy guy.

[@unsatsoupsandwich]

I was fully expecting Pancake to poke his head through the door after you fixed it the second time. 😅

[@socks7545]

just a tip if you stack your logs in such a way that bark side stays facing up for the top layer they'll stay much drier below

[@loneeggtt]

Pancake is so handsome ❤

[@alexandergiesser]

The outtakes running for the camera are FANTASTIC! The constant struggle as a one person production team 🤣

[@celticlass8573]

A snowy walk when its milder (like in this video) is magic, especially in a rural setting. ❤💙

[@CarbonatedTurtle]

My wife is Japanese and we live in Canada, but just returned from a 3 week stay in Japan. We're really feeling like it might be time to move there and buy a cheap house since Canada has become so insanely unaffordable. I don't think we could go quite this rural, but the fact that so many houses are still available in Japan for so cheap makes it a very appealing option, especially when you consider we'd also get to live in Japan.

[@JessicaVanderhoff]

Just keep in mind the exchange rate-- if you'll actually be working for Japanese companies, you'll earn far less.

[@CarbonatedTurtle]

@@JessicaVanderhoff Oh, I already work for a company that will let me work anywhere in the world, and Canada and Japan have a tax treaty, so not much would change for me other than maybe having to answer the odd email late at night or early in the morning. Of course, my wife would still need to find work with a Japanese company, but we could still live much more comfortably in Japan even if she was making less than she makes now.

[@gmdille]

Keep in mind that part of the reason that houses in Japan are so affordable is that housing is not seen as an investment - they depreciate.

[@justjosh5725]

@@gmdilleas they should

[@Democraticcivilization]

​@@CarbonatedTurtle all you need is good neighbor

[@シニアレイコ]

You need mat or shikibuton underneath the kotatsu so that heat inside more efficiently. Otherwise wooden floor is too cold.

[@T___S]

庭で一息、一杯やるシーンがなんか好き☺️

[@thomasduhaut2179]

Pancake is the main caracter and this little guy KNOWS IT

[@citylex]

Awww Pancake’s first ❄️ . How cute. Enjoyed your videos a lot 🥂

[@tatianaabramovskaya8765]

It was a "good day to be Pancake".

[@OtaconAmiibo]

These are always so lovely, and it must be so wonderful and fulfilling to have crafted this space for yourselves (and Pancake)! I’m curious, have you considered adding Japanese subtitles to your videos? I’m certain your neighbors would love to see how you showcase the beauty of their community.

[@sirmione905]

I’m Japanese and I usually watch their videos in original language (English), but by changing language setting, you can have Japanese subtitles. It’s AI translation so not 100% accurate but I could understand mostly.

[@raymonde4272]

Pancake seems to love the snow even more than the shoji screens. It also appears that another way to keep warm in a traditional Japanese home is to wear layers as if you're outside.

[@anniemac3075]

A challenge keeping warm in a tin & paper house, think I'd be hanging lots of second hand curtains/fabrics over the walls to contain some of the warmth. I use several layers of fabric behind curtains over all external doors here in South Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 UK & across the bottom of the stairway as well as at windows & it makes a huge difference. Thoroughly enjoy watching you guys especially Pancake doing his fox pounces in the snow. Hope he learns to stop making holes in the paper.....

[@cherrypi_b]

Thick, long curtains are really a good idea! But you lose the light from outside then.

[@anniemac3075]

@@cherrypi_b I was thinking more of after dark I think as far as windows go. But over walls also helps during daylight.

[@雪崩雪ん子]

紙とブリキでは家は建てられません。土壁と言う素材と木造で冬は家を暖かくして夏は熱を遮断します。紙は障子紙と言って熱を逃がしにくく日本の風土に適した素材です。

[@mysteriousplayer248]

I lived in the Japanese countryside for three years. I do miss it a lot and watch a fair amount of Japan themed content, but your video was the first to really make me feel homesick for the town I lived in. I really like your video style and your VoiceOver is very calming. Pancake is super cute too. Thank you for sharing your life from Japan with all of us. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@bitsii]

Beautiful vlog. My favorite part is when Jesse hits the window next to pan. 😂

[@inspiration2292]

I wait eagerly for each new video, they are a joy to watch. It really feels like a lot of care went into it, Please continue! ❤

[@blessedbeauty2293]

- 12:15 The way Pancake pounces in the snow reminds me of my dogs when I lived in CT when we got snow.. nd sometimes, we got *A LOT OF IT!* ❤ You, my friends, I am subscribing to.

[@nononono3421]

Imagine how happy he’ll be when the snow returns next year :)

[@amyaiken576]

Pancake LOVES THE SNOW! That was fun watching. ❤❤❤❤

[@davidthompson3345]

This was a very cozy watch from Massachusetts, with the wood stove on, dog sleeping next to it (who would absolutely destroy a shoji screen if we had one), and a bit of snow coming down. I am amazed at how much snow you got given that the latitude of Shikoku is comparable to the southern US that basically never gets any snow. Shikoku seems like a wonderful place. Love your videos!

[@CuppaTeeh]

Cheers from Boston 🍻

[@BitOHoney276]

That was delightful. You are very talented. ❤

[@carolineiscoolest]

i love the narrative style of these videos. its so calm. what a peaceful life

[@medic1627]

Greetings from the United Kingdom. I have just found your page, and I have subscribed. Where you live is absolutely beautiful, especially when you have snow. Where I live I wish we could get more snow than what we do get, which isn't much. I love the snow and ice, it's so magical.

[@hanaah1111]

Looked so beautiful with the snowfall.

[@maigomika]

It's honestly devastating beautiful 🤩

[@veget_asian]

Pancake punctured the paper door then he just calmly watched Mika repaired it. 😂❤ I like your zero waste cooking that you used the orange rinds!

[@PatrickPecoraro]

The first snow is my favorite time of year.

[@andreibnu]

Your channel is the only channel on my KZbin list that I actually look forward to the next video on. Your videos are very well done and the script is balanced. Watching your videos is like a moment of relaxation and escape from my exhausting daily routine. And English is so easy to understand that it feels like my mother tongue.

[@maigomika]

What compliments 😳😳😳 Thank you. ☺️

[@superkaboose1066]

The snow there looks so pretty and scenic, loved the little break and soft music with it :)

[@luanllluan]

As a Brazilian, I can't possibly imagine what it feels like to be live in such low temperatures but I'd love to see these frozen landscapes, they're just beautiful!

[@Ren7397]

Somehow your upload times almos always coincide with my breakfast time in my timezone so whenever you upload, it's always such a nice surprise to have a wonderful piece of content to watch along with the meal

[@drlca6601]

Our mission is to support this channel and get that house completely and comfortably winterized by 2025! Can't wait to see the finished product down the line!

[@judiehavard4903]

Mom would put together a little flour and water slurry for us to use as glue. We would cut shapes to glue. Other times a flour and water dough with salt for a homemade play doh. A good way to keep little children busy.😊

[@MadelineRose-ep7fj]

Lived on Honshu 😊for nine years. Loved everything about the culture and customs.

[@ihave3dollar166]

pancake is absolutly adorable! your videos are like a mental breather, they're so relaxing~

[@cathyholt5215]

Your pup is so animated. ❤ Very fun video.

[@EarlKuOnly]

the views during the snowy mornings are just great

[@MD-wk3gj]

I love so much of what I learn about living in Japan. In many ways my lifestyle and way of being aligns nicely with the way the people of Japan live. That being said, I just realized I am very Western in not wanting to live in a house so cold you can see your dogs breath! I would Westernize my home to be warm.

[@catfish9539]

Your home is beautiful and your door munching dog is cute. Sending love from finally snowy Canada.

[@timswafford5047]

I have been looking for ur video

[@marelven]

Thanks for this update. Your videos are always a pleasure to watch. Greetings from Montreal!

[@106stevem]

6:22 Shoji repair. I understand. My dog Mai has destroyed many window screens in my apartment in Chicago protecting us from other neighborhood dogs out on walks. I have become very skilled at rescreening with "pet grade" screen. However, I now use baby gates infront of windows that I want to keep open to add a layer of protection on the fragile screens. Pancake like Mai is, at heart, a very good dog.

[@nathanherrold6887]

Just wanted to say what a lovely, and well-edited video. Thanks again.

[@JamieBainbridge]

Jesse please part your legs when cutting firewood! If the axe comes back towards you it should go between your legs, not hit your toes. This is the way I was taught to chop firewood, but these days most people use an electric press log splitter.

[@halfabee]

Watching Jessie in front of that coriggated iron walling. Thought came to my mind was line it with foil line expanded foam insulation board 2" thick. Or even thicker foam insulation boarding.

[@patlilburn5251]

I was sure he was going to immediately claw his way through that screen the moment you put it back up 😂. That shot of his breath in the morn8ng….whoaaaa cabin life. Love the videos, thanks for these.

[@TheDreded603]

Love your little family! Keep warm you three!

[@LM-wq4fe]

I would be insulating that house post haste. It helps in summer and winter.

[@ramadhanramlan]

Your vids feel so magical. Come it coming

[@pom3222]

Wow, Pancake is so big now and handsome!

[@sharrablackfire7337]

I think I aged a thousand years just from watching how much energy Pancake has XD I have not even one single drop of that much vivre

[@joniwilliams4212]

The snowy scenery is absolutely magical! Pancake’s first foray in the snow is priceless as well! Thank you for your wonderful videos!

[@KayWilliam-tb1ov]

Gosh I love the snow ❄️ 😊

[@danny_davis]

Y’all are so cute! When you first pulled your frying pan out, it made me think of poutine…and now I can’t stop thinking about it! 😀

[@semqueixas]

Your videos are so light and fun. It´s a real delicacy of images, sound and sensitivity. Thanks.

[@J-zr9lg]

Pancake is a beautiful, adorable soul ❤

[@XzadforSpacefox]

Congratulations on passing 100k! Here's to the next milestone, 1 million!

[@toveinnis]

Your videos always make me smile and bring a moment of peace to my day. Thank you! I hope 2024 is a great one for you ❤️

[@JoyandSerenity.]

Snowy dog zoomies are adorable, I love fresh snow so much its just so beautiful.

[@karlcottingham1472]

How beautiful . I remember the first time my dog Barney saw snow. He was so happy playing with the new toy from Winters white wonderland. His nickname was Sweety Boy. He was a Stanfordshire Terrier. He had no idea he was Pit Bull. Thanks for the video. I love Japan. Thanks for sharing your story. Karl

[@koreath]

Beautiful.

[@paulgilliland2992]

Watching this reminded me of New Year’s Day 2024 at our friends parents house in Fukui . We had been warned how cold it is and it was inside their house but outside not that bad. What I don’t like about older houses is the pervasive use of kerosene heaters, I see you have one and so did we before my mum installed central heating . That was in the uk in the 70’s.

[@junethess4969]

Ah! Pancake is so very cute. their teenage shenanigans and first ever snow made me miss having dogs.

[@seunary]

So cool to see this amount of snow ❄️ i hope you are not getting too cold! Have a nice winter Mika, Jesse & Pancake

[@Chymai]

Thank you for sharing your story again! It’s so interesting and inspiring. Also I love pancake!!! 🩷

[@LynBen-dr5fi]

❤...love your videos...n your byeeeee...lolol..at the end...❤

[@reecesingleton4041]

you two are living my dream! well three including Pancake

[@revdocjim2002]

Nice! So you get a bit of snow in Shikoku as well... that's gotta be fun! Where we live in the mountains of Gunma winter is the real deal. Frozen lakes, snow cover that lasts all winter etc. A house like yours would be tough in this environment but I applaud you for making that 空き家work. Best of luck!

[@susan3645]

Such a joy to see Pancake enjoying the snow! 🧡

[@cecilearquette1637]

I came across you videos, and watched all of them from the start. Thank you for the time and effort it takes to produce them, letting us see glimpses into your life!

[@jaydee4697]

Lovely video as always; super interesting to see how you three are enjoying the winter season. Thanks for sharing!

[@darrenbeasley3583]

I enjoy watching your videos. I'm and Australian with a Japanese wife. We just returned home from Japan after spending 1 month there. I would love to jump in, move back to Japan and purchase an Akiya. Your videos stir that desire.

[@mariahhasfuntimeshere]

This is somehow giving me very fond memories growing up. In Kansas with so much nature land and snowy winters. Somehow it feels like we are in the same place even though we are so far! I’ve always had Shiba Inu’s growing up and pancake reminds me of my childhood dog ❤️. Curly tail and very stubborn

[@maigomika]

Couldn't agree more! I'm always reminded of all the ways our experiences here are similar to those on the opposite of the world. We are not all that different. Pancake isn't a Shiba, but still hella stubborn. Maybe a curly tail trait 🤣

[@mariahhasfuntimeshere]

@@maigomika definitely a curly tail trait!! My dog has a best friend dog in the neighborhood and she also has a curly tail. They are both stubborn together 😆

[@michaelmano7261]

there both good (with the Canadian Eeeeehhy) really cute at @11:00 guys your life seems really cute. im happy for you both! the first time i saw snow as an Australian was in Japan. Nagoya omg i was walking around like someone in an anime. so romantic.

[@danielenguidanos4792]

These videos are so beautiful and heartwarming. Thank you for making this and allowing us to enjoy the joys (and challenges) of your lives with you.

[@FoxyfloofJumps]

Another good way to deal with holes in sheet metal, is a bit of pitch or tar, and some mylar foil. Then you can add tar all up the inside of the metal to help protect against rust in areas you can't regularly see. Also, insulation can be had with some simple plastic sheeting and shredded, dried bamboo or leaves. tar or pine pitch can be used to seal the plastic sheeting shut, and keep moisture from seeping in that way as well. And of course, the vapor barrier membrane you were stapling? gluing?..... Anywho, spring is just about here, right? Also, a plastic tarp to keep snow off your woodpile helps a bunch. Less popping, smoke, and more heat.

[@JudyLogue]

It must be so hard to keep your home warm with very thin walls. I love Pancake and was wondering if he is a Shiba Inu or shiba cross. Just love him. Thanks for sharing your life with us

[@michaeldwyer9656]

Sure looks like it, Shiba. The first breed I thought of was Basenji, but I think you're right.

[@skystygian]

Probably a shiba mix, my best friend has purebred shibas and they're much tinier than Pancake, plus their necks are a lot floofier

[@P4RC3V4L]

Great to see you guys are doing fine after all the earthquakes and what not!

[@beautyof87]

would love to wake up to that 11:37

[@UwUSanime]

I've loved watching your videos, its great seeing how your little home is evolving!

[@LivingMyDesiredLife]

you guys livin the LIFE ❤ I wish I could live there too, but till then please shower us (subscribers) with more such heart warming videos regularly.

[@KS-uv7yc]

A suggestion on the yuzu syrup. Bring water to boil and add the yuzu rind slivers. Gently boil 1 min and discard liquid. Repeat once more, again discarding steeping liquid. Then proceed with the sweetener. This will leech out bitterness in the pith, but barely reduce the citrus in the peel.

[@garryr002]

We were much colder here in Alberta, but our homes are built for it. Stay cozy.

[@cynthiajomocan6297]

Mommy and Daddy love Pancake very much❤❤❤

[@chevkoch]

Lovely, just a joy to watch. Thank you for sharing another one of your stellar little films.

[@AmericanAdventuresInJapan]

Nice video. I love the nostalgic view. But now getting older, I love my modern house in Japan. Outside it’s -3 but inside it’s 24!

[@caddywampus]

I remembered my 20's living in a Japanese house quite fondly after seeing your video - thank you 😊. Pancake is so stinking cute!

[@derpynoivern4815]

I love the way you use vignettes of the rice paddy to illustrate the changing seasons!!

[@goodpocky2]

Pancake has grown into such a handsome boy! He's outgrown his bed, haha. Love the outtakes at the end.

[@McLOVIN_456]

Love all your vlogs! 🫶 Japan is sooo beautiful! There is not a lot of places with such a great nature anymore. Japan has one of the best Ökosystems world wide.

[@ChrisHolly]

Peaceful and enjoyable to have a chance to follow along with your experience. Thank you so much! Pancake is super cute! Puppies are certainly a joy to enjoy!

[@norinickrrostron9001]

What a great puppy...doesn't bark .