Slice of Life: Discovering a Unique 130 year-old Japanese House-Turned-Pizza Cafe and Farm

[@Mojo_3.14]

It really pays to be friendly with your neighbors and openly communicate with them. The advice he gives about the farmer's license and understanding the system and getting advice from the farmers before your licensing meeting is gold.

[@TokyoLlama]

For sure, I’ve been thinking about trying to get the licence down the track and it’s changed the way I’ve viewed it.

[@metacapitalism5113]

Yes it is gold. This is my dream, pizza oven and all. My wife is Japanese, we are planning to setup a home in Japan and businesses.

[@anydaynow01]

Yes I thought that was an amazing segment of this video, shows the open mindset of an eco conscious and community friendly homesteader!

[@yujishinohara1uponatime]

great comment, this can apply to your neighbors where ever you live

[@jingcc0121]

Absolutely great information! Pests and affecting other farmers is something I don’t think newbie farmers don’t think about. What a responsible system they have there. Great information! Thanks for this!

[@danhoang6335]

Lots of respect for the homeowner. He only arrived over two years but already is integrating into the local culture. Wishing his family the best!

[@RealRuralJapan]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@boogiedownbronx73]

It's a bit easier if your partner is Japanese

[@gordonbgraham]

@@boogiedownbronx73 As a 30 year resident of Japan, I can attest that it's a lot easier when you check your ego and assimilate

[@Brattoes]

@@RealRuralJapan thanks for giving me another channel to keep me dreaming/planning of Japanese life. My wife from Nara, is quite fond of Nagano, having worked in Hakuba for a while and many years in the mountains of Japan. Unfortunately my wonderful academical job forces me to be a city dweller But after I am done with it, I am going to consider a fixer in the Japanese mountains and both you and llama's channels are going to help me with that. So thank you very much for showing your journeys and inspiring mine.

[@michaelcherry8952]

This was a really interesting video. The hoops you need to jump through to be an "official" farmer are amazing, but the explanation of why this is so makes a lot of sense. His overall plan of having a home and cafe was a neat idea. Adding the farm and English Conversation Club was unexpected but a really great way to take advantage of the unexpected extra land and to engage with the local community. What a beautiful area! I think I gained 5Kg just looking at that Aussie Burger! :-)

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks. Yes, the English conversation school is a great way engage with the local community. When I first arrived I did a couple of free conversation hours a week and I’m still friends with some of the members, even though I stopped over a year ago.

[@frankaquino6861]

It's just a racket by the JA to keep the old farmers in this country solvent. Same reason fruits and rice are so $$$.

[@mechadrake]

To sell grains or produce there are silar requirements in other countries. At least in mine, in the EU, there is. I had to sit through a quite not a formality long course to get my farming license thingy, as my education is not in the farming (even my parents, who studied agronomy, have to sith through some hours of some renewd courses sometimes). Despite growing up in a village and doing farm work all life, you have to get some kind farming license :) Maybe there are different rules somewhere else, but here it is just the same. For example plant protection stuff course (safe usage of chemicals and fertilizers) is a mandatory course. Have to have more of it if you spray it yourself, not hiring somebody with a tractor sprayer, as some do due financial reasons. We had neighbors spray and kill field edges before, as they are not good at judging wind and keeping spacing, so I understand some more strict hops some may have there. I wish to see more mechanized farms there, as these on youtube are mostly manual with some kei truck doing hauling, that is hugely expensive production. I wonder how optimized farms do this, or they are just limited by those original farmers too.... I haul grain for example and the tractor with two trailers combined sometimes weights 40 tons. Never seen on youtube if japanese farming looks exactly the same. :) All those small farms are nice, but they are not for feeding the country, more for making special snacks :)

[@RealRuralJapan]

Great job on the video Jaya it was a pleasure to have you over.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks for having us. Got hungry for pizza and another Aussie burger/calzone while editing.

[@melissareid640]

He has a beautiful property, and he's community oriented. It's very good and kind. 💝🙏💝 good luck with your farm and cafe. .

[@shirokumakogyo]

From an American living in Toyama--thank goodness for the English subtitles!! lol Really a fantastic deal he got here, he paid as much for his entire property as I did for my 286-square-meter house--though it looks like it's going to be a lot of work to get the farmland in working order. My home--an 80-year-old machiya along a canal--is built out to the lot lines, so there is no open land to speak of, aside from a 6-tsubo garden in the middle... I wouldn't think Nagano would have the right climate for olives--too wet, too cold in winter--though I know they grow well in southern Japan--mostly on Shodoshima in Kagawa Prefecture.

[@RealRuralJapan]

The accent gets stronger when you put two of us together. 😂

[@TokyoLlama]

Nice! I can see the attraction of a machiya for sure, especially if you’re not into having a large garden/farm.

[@karnisov]

love Steve's comments about connecting with your neighbors on their terms, it's the secret for building relationships with real people in JP

[@mjkrech]

You asked somewhere recently what should you do on KZbin once your house was completely restored. THIS is what you can do! Interview others who have done the same such as this man. Very interesting to watch! You are a good interviewer!

[@Nobe_Oddy]

that guy is living THE DREAM!!!! I am SOO HAPPY for YOU and YOUR FAMILY and for HE and HIS!!

[@TokyoLlama]

Thank you very much!

[@andie2809]

$55 toll! Holy crap!😱 I love how he said "when you move to the community you have to go to your neighbours not the other way around" in the country I live in a man from Canada bought the small farm next to me and has been so rude about everything he's doing! Here it's illegal to cut down trees and he had men cut down so many trees and said "they were sick" which was a lie. Then he proceeded to build a huge pile to burn all of it and it's also illegal. It burned for over a month. I was told to call police but they are corrupt and did nothing. Now all I want to do is move away from my home... 😪😫 I would love to live in the community he has there in Japan! Very luck man! Cheers 😍

[@TokyoLlama]

Not cheap though the roads are nice!

[@andrejohnson6731]

On behalf of all Canadians, I apologize for my compatriot’s un-Canadianness.

[@andie2809]

@@andrejohnson6731 I have to admit, most of the Canadian people I've met are very sweet compared to the American's I've met. 🤷‍♀️

[@xxaos0]

@@TokyoLlama do you have to pay that amount if u take that road everyday ?

[@RAZGR1Z]

@@xxaos0 Yes the toll roads in Japan are painfully expensive and the speed limits are low.

[@hermeshemp6271]

The calzone Aussie burger looks amazing! I love how this family saved this house and made great use of it. Thank you for the vid! Please do more of these videos.

[@TokyoLlama]

No worries, yes, will do more like this when I can.

[@TheKerokitty]

The farming license mentality makes a lot of sense with these small village areas because in such an isolated environment there is very much a sense of 'community' when it comes to doing your part to contribute to the success of the whole group. For small farmers, certain crops could bring in devastating pests, others may cause cross pollination that alters the crops. There is a lot of engineering to planning for close knit farming success.

[@bentonhomestead]

I know this is an older video, but it was just "recommended" to me by KZbin's algorithm. I'm so glad it was! I've been in contact with @RealRuralJapan recently, and he's a super nice guy. We live in Ōmishima, which isn't anywhere near Nagano. He mailed us some vintage video games he saved from an akiya that was being torn down. And he hopped on a video call to help my husband with some questions about our akiya remodel. Just a super helpful guy, and we're total strangers to him. Thanks for sharing!

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

6:45 cicada's are in full force here.

[@glennmcgee1729]

Monkeys and bears whilst growing vegetables is an amusing challenge. Your drive down that country road with flowers abound was magical and serene.

[@TokyoLlama]

If you mean towards the end, that was actually a walk. The full walk with no music is up on my other channel @tokyollamaplus

[@ajadrew]

Really interesting video but more importantly, I'm amazed at the overall cost. My house here in England, bought & paid for is worth x3 the overall costs portrayed in this video! Suddenly I'm thinking my idea of living in the Japanese mountains is possible 👍😊

[@Reiken2007]

How equal is japans average salary to englands average salary? To salary here in switzerland its pretty much 1:1

[@ajadrew]

@@Reiken2007 I don't know the answer to that 🙂

[@CaptainCoolpants101]

@@Reiken2007 they say the uk national average wage is £30,000. But I think the figures are screwed because the disparity of wealth is crazy here. Personally, the only people I know who earn that or more are managers or work a lot of hours.

[@TokyoLlama]

@@Reiken2007 without checking statistics I’d say Japanese salaries are generally lower but still decent.

[@moonglum101]

Having lived and worked in the UK before moving to Japan, I think wages are higher in the UK but most of the basic costs of living are lower in Japan. Public transport is cheaper and far more reliable in Japan. Living in a town of city without a car is very achievable in Japan. Mortgages are cheaper because of lower interest rates but harder for foreigners to get. I earned about double in the UK as a software engineer compared to what I earn as a teacher in Japan.

[@jeanhawken4482]

What a great story. Fanatic assimilation and respect.

[@entwinedmar]

What a great interview and way to show respectfully the process to become not only an owner of a land/house but a small farm. I think if everyone went with the mentality of respecting local traditions and with a mind to listen to locals, things would work so much better. I loved this episode.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks, happy you liked it!

[@itsalladream]

I'll be visiting Japan this summer with my wife to visit her family - first time in 3 years. I'm waiting to see how things fall into place, but seriously considering moving the family there. Have you considered discussing family life there, in regards to schooling and raising your family in general compared to back home? I'm from Alabama, so surely different from Australia, but I'm sure it would be more similar than Japan. I lived there for three years, but didn't have the responsibility of having a family at the time.

[@s.a.w5493]

It would even be interesting to hear the difference between the city and rural areas!

[@BanBanChi]

Watch the Life Where I'm From KZbin channel. The creator has made hundreds of videos regarding every day life for the last 7 or 8 years and he has children. I started watching his channel 5 years ago, just a few months before our family moved to Japan and the videos helped us a lot with the transition.

[@itsalladream]

@@BanBanChi Oh yeah, I've watched his videos. Just curious about the Llama's perspective.

[@TokyoLlama]

@@BanBanChi that’s a great channel.

[@TokyoLlama]

@@itsalladream I’ll look into doing something if not for this channel, then for @ tokyollamaplus

[@TheOriginalSentack]

That place looks awesome. Whenever Japan opens up to tourists, I'm putting this place on my short list of "Want to visit" spots. Thanks for showing us around.

[@TokyoLlama]

No worries, thanks for watching!

[@andydelarue9344]

Ripper yarn, good on the locals for running the place so well for so long , bears and monkeys hard work.

[@myjapan8834]

This man knows what he is talking about, I myself would not like to live my life that way, I need trains, I need a bus, I am happy this man found a way to live in Japan but I was raised on a farm and I do not want to live my life that way.

[@jennycampbell5236]

I really enjoyed this video Jaya. What a wonderful life change that couple have made. I like the fact that you have to think like a local to fit in. It is the same in most places around the world. The local people know what works and Japanese people have a real affinity with nature. I really need to visit Japan again as soon as I can.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks Jenny, hopefully Japan will open up again soon.

[@XLittleXRed]

Steve has such a great perspective on integrating into a new community in Japan! Very respectful. I really enjoyed his comments. So true about the view of Nagano, as well - I can imagine if you were viewing a few different houses, it would be very hard for anything to beat that view.

[@hannahippo]

Really enjoyed this video. When I studied abroad in Japan a few years back, I was in Chiba New Town area outside of Tokyo and my friends and I happened upon a traditional home that had been converted into a cafe where they also sold local produce and flowers. I had such good memories biking amongst rice paddy fields to that cafe on days we didn't have class.

[@465maltbie]

A lot of work to do all that, farming, restaurant and family. Thanks for sharing, Charles

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks Charles, yes, keeps himself busy. He’s also taken over an unused rice paddy that he’s restoring and growing rice.

[@RealRuralJapan]

This type of work never really gets finished. Old houses and gardens are always a work of in progress.

[@georgebalogi8751]

Very touching video. I really appreciate your effort to reach out and tell the stories of others.

[@x5060]

Love the video. Also the food looks phenomenal.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks, the food was great. Steve really knows how to cook.

[@Yahoo886]

What a humble nice guy

[@Ryan66437]

Solid advice on the farming. The oldest farmer in the area should be every potential farmer's first stop.

[@Puran_1508]

Thank you….time well spent…

[@craigcarter947]

Very nice home and business. Love to see older houses with more 'character' be renovated instead of just tearing them down and building a 'standard' modern house in it's place. Are monkeys and bears more prevalent in that area only, or is it a trouble across most of rural Japan? I've read that the 'moon bears' are short tempered and are about as likely to attack as to flee. what would the local authorities do if that bear he referenced in the video became a regular to their fields?

[@RealRuralJapan]

We get a few every year it’s not a regular thing. Monkeys are an ongoing thing though. Once the monkeys are over the fence they really cause damage.

[@januzzell8631]

What a view! Yo can understand why this house was THE house and how refreshing to hear his views on becoming a part of the community - lovely - thank you for sharing

[@TokyoLlama]

No worries, thanks for watching.

[@Beecozz7]

Beautiful community and countryside! The Aussie burger looked yummy! TY Really cool wood fired oven!

[@Val_Emrys]

No lie, that Aussie burger looked awesome!

[@TokyoLlama]

Was very very good.

[@stingray427man]

Beautiful property and community repurpose

[@abdulazim3576]

now that's what you call a multi-purpose building. He might aswell turn it into a hotel, hot spring and maybe even a factory!

[@Pacrimjin]

I didn't mishear that at 6:30 did I? Sounded to me like he said he was going to grow "weed" on it. I'd keep that quiet 😉

[@Pacrimjin]

Oh, "wheat" 😅

[@etherdog]

What a really interesting story there is here in Steve's entrepreneurship, Jaya, especially in getting his agricultural license and the philosophy surrounding it. That is an aspect we haven't heard much about before, so thanks for highlighting it!

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks, yes, I found that to be the most interesting aspect too.

[@sietuuba]

Flippin' heck, all of this was so brilliant in every way. Best of luck Steve and Kumiko! I want to visit some day...

[@RealRuralJapan]

Welcome anytime

[@rosm9601]

It's my dream to live in rural Japan although I don't want a big house or land. You guys are an inspiration as to what is possible.

[@kathleensmith3555]

Thank you for the drive through that beautiful countryside -- looks very serene and full of life

[@UmaAuroville]

Thank you, it was very nice that you introduced us to those good people...and of course the Australian burger...

[@geraldparnham6336]

Really enjoyed this. You have an excellent sense of programming.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks!

[@iannorman82]

Both of you are making me very envious! Taught English 2007 to 2016 in and around Tohoku and dream to come back and rebuild a beautiful old home. Opening a conversation school/cafe would be the ideal semi-retirement dream.. Don't think I could handle this much farming!

[@TokyoLlama]

Yes, it’s a nice way to do it if you can get the house/renovation done cheaply enough.

[@ralphstephan353]

Steve is a complex man. On one hand his grooming is somewhat lacking and yet he’s industrious and has a smart, grounded approach to engaging with his new community. I was drawn in and ended up wanting to know more about his family and understand his future planning. Really well done interview style, very casual and respectful. As the Aussies like to say: “Good on ya!”

[@grizzfan08]

Gorgeous home and amazing views of Nagano. The mountains around Nagano are so pretty (now we know why the city was chosen to host the 1998 Winter Olympics).

[@emilnord]

Really interesting to hear about how it works. With abandoned houses and you need to get a licence to become a farmer. And the burger looks really good! Always a treat when you have a new video out. Take care and have a great Easter.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks Emil! You too.

[@anthonyh3224]

this man is living his best life, hats off to you sir.

[@user-gz8zo5vo9l]

Loved the driving footage! Was so great. You put a lot of time and effort into your videos and it is appreciated! Thank you!

[@TokyoLlama]

Thank you for watching!

[@timm5997]

What a stunning location. Nagano is beautiful. Great!

[@Hearmorestories]

Tokyo Llama thank you for investing your time to make such an engaging and interesting video. I am sure you have much on your plate with work and family and hope that making these videos is a rewarding endeavor for you. Here is to your continued success :):)

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks, much appreciated. I enjoy making the videos and having people enjoy watching them - that's enough for me!

[@BrandonAEnglish]

Glad to see you got over to Steve's place! I just saw his intro videos the other day. Looking forward to seeing more. Thanks for going over!

[@TokyoLlama]

No worries. I didn’t manage to fit in the footage of his rice field but looks like he’s making progress.

[@kattkatt744]

Wow, what a incredible beautiful place! Wondeful location and tasteful renovation of the house! Wish I was half as hardworking as Steve!

[@whitneylake2107]

Great tour. I loved the AC/DC style background music ! Thank you from my Montana pyramid house !

[@TokyoLlama]

Glad you noticed the (fake) AC/DC!

[@addmarca9393]

Me encantó el vídeo, te agradezco mucho tu esfuerzo, suerte para tu amigo y para ti. Salud!

[@TokyoLlama]

Muchas gracias! Saludos desde Japón 🇯🇵

[@Nynke_K]

wow, what a beautiful place! the farming does look like a lot of work. wishing them good luck with that this year!

[@TokyoLlama]

Yes, definitely keeping himself busy!

[@123aun9]

貴方達は日本の風景や古民家"和モダン"を大切に思っていますね RESPECT❤そして感謝❤ 私達も美しい日本を維持できるよう頑張ります それは自然な風景、四季、文化、建築も含まれます

[@KoRMaK1]

wow i recognize this neighborhood from rambalac's video. great to see whats going on in these beautiful spaces!

[@frankleonard1453]

Thanks for Your program and the hamburger 🍔 You enjoyed!

[@TokyoLlama]

No worries!

[@ceori6399]

Congratulations on 200k subs, love your videos

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks very much!

[@somethingelsehere8089]

What a great mindset. Steve - thanks for all you shared. I'd love to quit the rat race and move there - it is much more my thing than Nagoya. Those mountains are beautiful.

[@MKMK-zo1zx]

I love this video, the farm and house are absolutely beautiful, the views from the property are priceless. I would love to live there. ❤️

[@TokyoLlama]

Yes, Steve has done well for himself there.

[@DarthFetid]

as a tassie by september i will be homeless because of ppl buying up homes here, and i live rurally... soooo yeah yay thanks. i can literally afford to live in down town tokyo but not in countryside tasmania, thanks.

[@mackea1]

Very cool. That guy should look into making a wildflower meadow on that piece of land that is hard to get to. Because then he would be helping the local wildlife too. Plus it's good for good insects like bees. But that's a nice piece of property :)

[@aptomarbluedeal5218]

Best of luck to Steve and the wife🙂

[@codeninja100]

That view alone is priceless. What a find. Good luck to this man restoring it to its old glory

[@JAMoore-zz3ki]

What a fun day! I really enjoyed this video. How lucky that his house came with all of that land. A great surprise. It was very interesting hearing the process for registering to be a farmer in Japan. And those pizzas looked yummy!

[@TokyoLlama]

It was a fun visit, and he definitely found a great situation! Pizzas were delicious!

[@Mz-ui]

Great video TL! I wish Steve all the best with his endeavours

[@AdachiCabbage]

Thank you so much for these videos. It's really informative.

[@TokyoLlama]

No worries!

[@ItSaHeAdEr]

that was a very nice video. i'm learning japanese because i rly want to live in japan near the future. thank you for sharing steve's story with us. steve gave some great tips on how you can have an easier time getting along with the whole process of immigration!

[@TokyoLlama]

Best of luck!

[@thomasbjurstrom6480]

I so enjoy watching your videos. Always so informative and interesting!

[@Greytusks]

I loved this video. I like the style you gave to it.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thank you!

[@June_isYourFriend]

love the video guys! especially love that steves from Tassie! (i think) because i'm from Tassie) love japan, love the culture, love the people, i even could speak basic to moderate japanese when i went there, such skills have faded though, i'm afraid. (still can't read or write it, even though i self studied it for a couple years.) anyway, i'm rambling, enjoyed the video, as always!

[@dondwyer3679]

Very interesting video, especially about how to move in to a new area in Japan and involve yourself with your neighbors. You always post great videos. Thank you!

[@TokyoLlama]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bladepanthera]

Once again I'm envious of this style house and the lifestyle that goes with it... I'm aware of the bureaucracy but honestly it looks like the payoff is well worth it. I'm still looking for a small 2 bed house in South London and am struggling at £400k (with a hefty mortgage ofc). Imagine how differently I could spend my money!!

[@illletmyselfout.8516]

Wow good on ya Steve. I'll try come for an aussie burger if I'm out that way. my travels have been curtailed by covid like everyone else stuck in qld

[@RealRuralJapan]

Hopefully you can get out this way.

[@C9MERON]

what an awesome video. thank you so much for sharing this!

[@TokyoLlama]

No worries!

[@russellharvey698]

Respect.. good luck to him. So easy to drive there.. peaceful

[@FantaLain]

Lovely video! That's a big task he took on, good for him!

[@Anasyn_Nysana]

Thank you both for showing an amazing video with great information. Eventually my wife and I will purchase ourselves a home in Japan.

[@TokyoLlama]

No worries!

[@carycoombe3380]

I love that Aussie Burger at the end!

[@TokyoLlama]

Was very good!

[@わわ-l8w]

日本人です。このような外国人がたくさん日本に移住してくれることを希望します。彼らはとても生産的で日本に利益をもたらしてくれる。それは素晴らしいことです。

[@triniep82]

Awesome video, wish Steve and Kumiko the best of luck and the olive crop is a genuis idea!

[@judithbrewer8024]

Thanks for your new update on others who are making their hom in Japan. HOW ARE things with your home.?

[@TokyoLlama]

Moving slowly, but crossing things off our list bit by bit.

[@ko.sio.]

that was so wholesome

[@rosarioa.kanashiro]

I love it! So much green

[@15digitlongname]

another great video mate, the wait is always worth it !

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks mate!

[@claylover9845]

Great video.....and that Aussie burger....yummilicious looking!!!

[@TokyoLlama]

It was very tasty!

[@thesaxman]

Fantastic Mate …..wish I was 40 years younger ……good one ya!

[@yeevita]

Beautiful! What an amazing couple and fantastic community. Beautiful!

[@haiironezumi]

I'm *pretty* sure that @6:35 he said "The other one, I'm gonna grow wheat on it." - but it could just as easily be another crop with a far higher yield!

[@TokyoLlama]

Steve could confirm but I think he mainly wants to grow ingredients for his cafe.

[@RealRuralJapan]

Yeah. I’m trying to grow for the cafe first. What’s excess I’ll give to friends and sell remainder.

[@haiironezumi]

@@RealRuralJapan All good mate - with the speed of your speech it sounded *very* close to "I'm gonna grow weed on it" 😅😂

[@TokyoLlama]

@@haiironezumi 😁 I get what you’re saying now

[@rztrzt]

I love these videos about other peoples housing/moving experiences!

[@Melicoy]

MORE pls thanks

[@TokyoLlama]

I'm trying!

[@Melicoy]

@@TokyoLlama its all good. Thank you my Japan brother

[@kurofune.uragabay]

Love the location, the view across to 若穂太郎山 and the Chikuma valley beyond is spectacular. Happy to hear of a fellow sydneysider living the dream

[@rayeaglenz]

Brilliant, thank you for a very interesting informative video 👍😊

[@TokyoLlama]

No worries!

[@old-wise-one4473]

I've been following you for years and you never disappoint! This was great! And the next time I'm in Japan I'll try to get to Steve's to get an Aussie Burger!

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks very much. Very much worth the visit to Nagano!

[@danhatedcm8]

What timing for this to come out for me. Im in the process of aquiring some farmland in hokkaido, luckily i have the backing of 2 of the biggest farmers in the area but this information was super insightful.

[@RealRuralJapan]

I was strongly thinking about Hokkaido too before choosing Nagano. I worked for a couple years milking cows in Tassie when I first moved there. Nice area for wheat I was told.

[@suzettecalleja3122]

Excellent video. It's fun seeing Japan and all its different places and people. Keep up the great job 👍

[@TokyoLlama]

Thank you!

[@jillmondt5398]

What an amazing set up fellow.👍