We found our Japanese home! (FINALLY) | Americans house hunting pt 2

After 2.5 months of searching for a Japanese house, we finally found one that feels right for our family! It came as a surprise and just in time because we were about to sign for a different one just days after. As you'll see in this video, the decision was not easy and we had to weigh a lot of pros and cons! Join us as we share our real and raw thoughts with you and go house hunting!
DID YOU WATCH OUR LATEST HOUSE HUNTING VIDEO? House hunting in Japan | Americans finding their Japanese home pt 1! • House hunting in Japan...
WATCH US FIND OUR GERMAN HOME:
We found our German home!! 🇩🇪🏡 We LOVE it! 😍 | First time visiting a German castle!
• We found our German ho...
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Lots of love,
Tanner, Risa, Willa + Noa! :)

[@K__a__M__I]

Seeing Fuji everyday gets old after a while, living in a location that better suits your everyday needs is the smarter choice. There's plenty of other opportunities to see nature...and Mt. Fuji.

[@LythaWausW]

It depends on cloud cover. If it's cloudy most of the time, every time Fuji is "out" is exciting. Doesn't Japan get a lot of rain?

[@elaineatthecraftshed1993]

Going for the practical benefits definitely makes sense for your little family. You will still see the wonderful sights as that's so much part of how your prioritise your down time together. So amazing to hear how Willa's language is coming on. Wasn't she so good as you cut her hair. Little Noa is growing up so incredibly fast too.

[@OurStorytoTell]

They’re growing up much too fast! We really can’t belief how much they’ve changed since moving to Japan. Yes, we’re so grateful to be much closer to work and stores and school. It’s made every day life a bit less time consuming.

[@SuperLittleTyke]

Excellent decision to move closer to work and school. As Risa finished cutting Willa's hair and Willa was kinda totally in awe of her new hairstyle, I thought what a beautiful child. You must be very proud parents.

[@moonistew]

Best practical choice 👍!

[@OurStorytoTell]

We are so so happy with our decision!!

[@vanessaaguilar-griffith1349]

I love seeing your darling family’s adventures in Japan💖 I hope you find the perfect home to be able to feel comfortable & settle down to enjoy the country💖

[@olli1068]

The fact that your new home is close to your daughter's school is not only more convenient for you and for her. It's also more likely that new friends, which she will make, live closer to you. I Germany, you surely have seen even young kids meet to go to school together by foot or by bike, at first accompanied by adults, later just with their friends. This doesn't only teach the kids early how to behave safely in traffic, it also gives them a good portion of self-reliance (hope that's the right word in this context). Of course this is only possible with a short and safe way to school. I have no Idea if this is common in Japan, I think it's not common at all in the US. The possiblities to use public transport is another important thing when you think of your kids growing up and becoming independant from their parents' taxi service.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Yes that’s very true!! We are very happy we are close to her school and it’s actually so nice because the school bus picks her up right out our front door! 😊

[@Herzschreiber]

And there it is, the video I've been waiting for so excitedly! I understand well how hard it must have been to make that decision. And I also understand about the reasons for choosing this one. A wonderful view is nice but sort of a luxury, while the everyday stuff like small distances and nice shopping opportunities will really make life more relaxed and less stressful. And last not least - I guess all of the houses you visited had their own unique charm. Or in other words - you wouldn't have had to do without any of them. I think now the decision is made, there will be kind of a big easement and you can continue your Japanese experience by settling in there and starting to grow an "everyday routine" slowly. I whish you the best of luck with that, and of course with finding the perfect school for Willa. Btw..... hey Willa, I really love your new haircut which suits you like a "golden waterfall" would suit a little fairy! :) And are you planning to grow fairy wings? 🧚‍♀

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you! We’re settling in nicely and it feels great having made the decision we did. Being so close to work is a huge perk that we’re really grateful for! Luckily we are at fairly close to the coast and beaches so it shouldn’t be a problem for the few times we want to go visit. We’ll be sure to ask Willa about the fairy wings 💛

[@jjivy6310]

Willa looks so cute with her new "do" . Congratulations on your house decision! Don't look back at the others now. Know you made the right choice for you. Close to school is very important when you have a little one. Can't wait for the empty and then the filled house tours!!

[@SuperLittleTyke]

One thing they could do, although it would be extra work, is take a photo of each room empty, then another photo from the same position after the furniture and knick-knacks have been moved in.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you! Yes that’s great advice! We are very happy with our decision! Our household goods have finally just arrived and we are happy with how things are fitting thankfully! We will have to do a house tour with everything in it sometime! 😊

[@OurStorytoTell]

That’s a good idea! This next video will be an empty house tour with some of our temporary furniture, but maybe we will have to do a tour with all of our stuff in it! In that video maybe we could compare with an empty picture! 😊

[@louisderhin7690]

Finally! The wait is over! :D I think you made the right decision, time together is so important - and you will have many more opportunities to enjoy the beautiful landscape, so it will remain something special :)

[@OurStorytoTell]

We agree! Much too long of a decision. Thanks for the support!

[@LythaWausW]

I love that you are so drawn to that volcano ("freakin' Fuji"!). I miss Mt Rainier so much. One thing you will not miss about your German home - the regular fertilizing with the Guelle (liquid cow manure). But seeing the miracle of irrigation-free agriculture is something you'll never forget. Even in Washington state there are no crops without irrigation. But in Germany, God sends the rain. Lazy farmers! *lol* (I'm one of 'em!)

[@margittasaager7238]

Family time takes priority. Keeps things together ... heart❤.

[@OurStorytoTell]

So true!! We are very happy we made the decision we did with our house. 😊

[@memories511]

Ahhhh so happy for you guys that you finally found a HOME. Cannot wait to see after you are all settled in. Congrats on your new home .

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you!

[@memories511]

@@OurStorytoTell 😘🌷

[@gwynethglas-brown9171]

Congratulations with your New home 🎉 thats nice that Tanner can cycle to work plus the school for Willa not far away either 😊.Hope your settling in finding your way around as much as you can 🙏🤞 . Looking forward to to your next video. Take care Have a Good week 🥰

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you so much! We’re really happy with the decision for proximity and will still take advantage of exploring the coast.

[@manuelaherms8792]

Congratulation for your new home.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you 😊

[@fritzschmidt5764]

Hi guys. Great that you found a beautiful home/house. I still enjoy watching your adventures. Many greetings from K- town, Germany.

[@OurStorytoTell]

It means so much to us that you enjoy our content here! We hope you’ll continue to stick around!😊

[@avengerofthedisenfranchised]

New house-video, I've waited for. Salt and bread for you, via KZbin

[@sabinekebelmann7525]

I like the house too,cause there is a lot of Light in

[@OurStorytoTell]

In next weeks video you will see that one side of it is always in the shade, so we do wish there was more sunlight! But we are happy we have what we do! 😊

[@connycatlady7429]

Great. Congratulations for your disicion. All the aspects are reasonable. I think you'll have a great time there. Greetings from Germany 😊

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thanks so much! It means a lot that you continue to watch our journey 🫶 We hope you have a great day and week!

[@sabrinasuutari5510]

Congrats on making a decision, getting there is always so tough, but it's such a relief once you've decided! 🎉 Hope you'll feel at home right away in your new house and hopefully you'll find that the time saved on commuting gives you space to go on more (beach) trips! 😊

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thanks! We are longing being so close to work and are glad we made the decision we did.

[@cs3473]

Congratulations on finding you new home! I will echo the sentiments of others and say while the Beach/Mt. Fuji view is really nice, the shorter commute and closeness to your daughter's school is much nicer.

[@isana788]

Good decision, you chose the right house. What I personally think is so great is that the neighborhood looks like it does in the anime movies.cision. you choosed the right one.

[@arnikakiani8014]

Congratualations! The "Qual der Wahl" is at an end :) I am so happy that you found a house that will make everyday life easier for all of you. Do you get assistance moving in or will it be you guys packing up the van and shutteling stuff back and forth? Has your container with personal effects arrived, yet? I hope you´ll settle in nice and easy. And then...Into the unknown! Adveture!!!

[@quo33]

Really a pity you didn't stay in Germany or found a yard here, there's nothing more fun for kids than to be outside to play, have a little pool "Planschbecken" etc.

[@howierfs5471]

Hi there, I am sure you made the right decision. Make your life comfy for yourself and your kids. You can make it. CU. Not sure I can follow in futrue but I wish you all the best.

[@TubaBuddha]

Tsunamis are such a real thing. Up a hill is so much better. Hoping you don't experience it.

[@OurStorytoTell]

We pray we don’t too!!

[@kathi_LG]

We miss you … love from Germany ❤

[@OurStorytoTell]

We miss you too!

[@zeideerskine3462]

Cutting down on work commute is great for family time. If you do not speak Japanese fluently you will be happier. Moreover, driving a car on regular basis is isolating in most traditional Japanese communities.

[@Peter-bz4gs]

Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland. Bleibt gesund.

[@berndgaal7689]

Wow, it has got an oven!!! Thats unusual in Japan! And look at the view!!! So great. Zushi house. Well, I understand all the pros and cons, but I think, what is the point of moving to a foreign country? You can make japanese friends and go to japanese events and learn the language. This is what its all about. Not the comfort of your native language. Of course its a different story when having two small kids. You need to think about school, transportation etc. I think you have made the right decision!!!

[@geab.2182]

1:34 "Goodbye mummy, gotta go." The seriousness and determination of this 😂😍 (Although there's also this less serious twitch of the lip and twinkle in the eye... :-) 😊

[@geab.2182]

1:52 sorry for harping on about Willa's adorableness - but this must be the cutest house hunter ever 🫶🏻

[@OurStorytoTell]

We love all of her quirks! She’s growing up so fast.

[@geab.2182]

♥️

[@gabrielegener7331]

The beach house is so pretty and nice. Not the other house. I am from frankfurt in germany. No beach and no hills. .

[@OurStorytoTell]

We are enjoying the house we picked so far. The other one really was so nice . Fun to hear you’re in Frankfurt!

[@melly7210]

Sushi would have been better for the children and the current one was better for work etc. was difficult. I congratulate. Time will tell whether the decision was right. The second house was definitely better divided. Greetungs from Germany

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you! We feel like our decision will be great for us all. We’re starting to find more benefits to being in this house and will save us hours each week from commuting.

[@DamaxThomas]

Hello, is that the house around minute 3? It felt like an house made for Americans due to the toilet being inside the bath area. At the exception of very small one room, the rule is to separate the clean (the bath) and the (potentially) unclean (the toilet) for the same reason people remove their shoes at the entrance. You could transform the 2 car spaces into a garden and use car share when you need a car. The main car sharing services are Times Car Share and Careco. There is also Anyca that is similar to Turo in the US.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thanks for the tips on the car sharing. Yes, this house was specifically made for the American population here in Yokosuka. That’s one of the major reasons why we were so excited when we found it because of the tall ceilings, wide hallways, etc. For the parking spaces, we’re going to try and make it our own little “garden” although it won’t even come close to the luxury we had while in Germany 😂. Either way, we’re excited to make the most of the home and space and enjoy being so close to transportation, work, and school.

[@user-sm3xq5ob5d]

When making decisions there is a hierachy which is dictated by life: Daily inconveniences like you mentioned: distance to work, shops, parks. Storage room, maintenance of property, noise from traffic etc. At the last there are things like the view if it is just a small feature like Fuji or a major like ugly neighborhood with industry etc. And in the end you will be in the house for three years only to make an estimation. It is just like rental cars. As long as they do the basic thing it is used for why fancy this or that secondary feature?

[@OurStorytoTell]

You make many good points. Ultimately that’s what we came to terms with and we’re so glad we kept with that decision rather than the beach town. Even though sometimes we’d love to be able to go on a walk to the beach, we know it’s better this way!

[@rrl4245]

Happy for you guys. (But I still wish you were back in Germany...) 😉

[@OurStorytoTell]

Thank you! Honestly we love to hear that because it shows how much Germany means to you & that you liked us in such a meaningful place. 😊 (sometimes we wish were still there too🫶🥹)

[@epixgaming8938]

It may be safer from Tsunamis as well. 😊

[@OurStorytoTell]

Yeah that’s true! It’s still on sea level, but we don’t have to worry about any landslides even though it’s not too far from higher hills!

[@greyhope9780]

Love the video! Moving to Tokyo from abroad. Any chance you can recommend your realtor? English-speaking, and oven FINDER! :-) Thanks! Also, one more thing. Where did you buy your washer/dryer? 🙏

[@OurStorytoTell]

We received your email and will definitely be responding this week! 🫶 Congrats on the big move!

[@OurStorytoTell]

Ohh in response to the washer and dryer, we were lucky because our house came furnished with it!

[@arkocazan]

What is the rental price, irrespective of whether it's covered by the Department of Defense or not?

[@OurStorytoTell]

Great question! We (the government) pays ¥350,000/month and with the current exchange rate that is about $2350/month (not including utilities)

[@arkocazan]

@@OurStorytoTell Thanks! Is this price specific to an arrangement made by the housing office at the base, or is it available to civilians without any DOD affiliation as well?

[@Force-Majeure]

Guten Morgen aus Deutschland.

[@OurStorytoTell]

Guten Morgan! 💗 Miss that country!

[@ethanbeitz5527]

Are u renting or buying ?

[@TheBlackbirdii]

I wouldn't take the house near the beach the tsunami threat is big there so I wouldn't take the risk and live there even though the house looks great

[@user-sd1te7mq8n]

I'm sorry, to say mean things. Continuing Japanese, sorry. 日本は地震国です。海の近くは津波(tsunami)の危険性があります。高台の避難場所をcheckした方が良いでしょう。 なによりご近所さん(neighborhood)とは親しく(friendly)にして情報交換しておく事も大切だと思います(language barrierは大変だとは思いますが⋯)。 上のお嬢さんの学校にはあなたの職場の連絡先(Dad's office)は伝えていた方良いでしょう。軍関係とのことですが可能な限り。mom's part-time job place, too.

[@martinkasper197]

Now Willa looks like Taylor Swift... 🤔🤣

[@OurStorytoTell]

We were wondering if that comment would ever come up 😅