The Beauty and Joy of Living Simply In the Countryside

Rupert left the city to embrace the beauty and joy of living simply in rural Japan. He truly has found beauty and joy in living simply, after many years of searching for a quiet fulfilling life. He grows and makes his own organic tea by hand, from scratch and also grows his own food like carrots and potatoes - everything without any chemicals and fertilizers, 100% natural and organic. Rupert's life philosophy is all about finding happiness in living simply and rediscovering the past. Part 1 is on Rupert's rice growing adventures; Part 3 is on Rupert's 19th century farmhouse - check them out if you'd like!
The photos scattered throughout the video have all been taken by Rupert himself. Absolutely incredible stuff! He's worked as a professional photographer for many years and still does occasional assignments. You can follow him on instagram (@rupert.japan) or check out his website (photograph-r.com).
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[@leaf4267]

I can feel this is one of the most honest guys whom I have seen on KZbin. And his life style is so peaceful.

[@lambsquartersfarm]

He's discovered one of the things I have recently discovered: when you stop trying to control the land so much, it rewards you. I no longer grow tomatoes because with so many that have gone to my chickens, and in compost, the seeds are all over the farm and they volunteer all over the place. The same happens with squash and potatoes, dill, cilantro, borage, sunflower. Let it go to seed, throw some seeds around strategically, free food.

[@tones_2466]

Your soil sounds incredible

[@baphithi]

@@tones_2466 soil gets built up from all the plants that do not get removed as weeds, as well as mulching and from kitchen scraps, grass clippings and leaves in your garden.

[@baphithi]

Love it. I also throw seeds out “randomly” and I get surprised every now and then when plants come up that I had forgotten about.

[@Escanor89]

Thanks for the tip! We got a little garden ourselves this year and the soil is sooo good! Literally everything is growing like nuts.

[@magesalmanac6424]

I saw a comment once, “the worst tomato plantsI ever grew were the ones I tended to relentlessly. The BEST tomato I ever grew was one that volunteered to grow in my rain gutter.”

[@willm5814]

I have the same dream - “to go nowhere” - I’m pretty much living it now - so relaxing - makes me think of a Franz Kafka quote - You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet. (Drink that in!)

[@jackbarton1867]

Beautiful

[@GG1991]

Do you know which book this is from of his?

[@ammar2316]

Wow, beautiful words. Please, if you can, would you mind telling me from which of Kafka's books this quote was taken ? Thank you.

[@satoyama.rupert]

Deeper than Kafka ... you don't need to leave your field, not table. Not room, but your dirt floor stable. He was a little immersed in materialism but had good intentions!.

[@larsstougaard7097]

Wow homegrown organic tea with mountain spring water, must be incredible. Hats off , we should all live like this guy.

[@Mmdg634]

Real wealth

[@StuWright]

probably has a trust fund helping him out in the bad months

[@bekabeka71]

@@StuWrightwhat does that mean

[@infinitijourney]

sorry, but banksters won't let you, and now most of governments are in bankster's pockets, so they won't let you either. who will run all the hamsterwheels??? they need more slaves not free people. go and get another lease or mortgage for that house you don't need 🤣

[@hp.a.]

This man knows that the life travel is inside us, an internal search which he has discovered amazing. The shine of his eyes comes from the light of his soul.

[@shruglife994]

We all want this kind of life when we get older. To live as much as possible in this lifetime. Life's simple pleasures. We work hard on our younger days to only realize we want a simple life as we age.. what a human life we have...

[@kantakun3963]

ありがとうございます。何度でも言います。ありがとうございます。心からありがとうございます。涙が出ます。

[@musamusashi]

The final words are pure wisdom. God bless this man.

[@xue5767]

He has such a calming energy…I’d love to taste his organic tea!

[@leaf4267]

Can you film more about this man's life please. No pressure, I have watched this 10 times and my feeling was/is still the same as I first watched it. Such a lovely and honest guy

[@bluecrystalplanet4824]

I'd like to second this request!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@qhuizatlantis8484]

I vote for this petition

[@leaf4267]

@Bismit Kar Yes yes

[@igorjursa8385]

agree

[@danisantos3088]

🙋🏻‍♀️ another viewer interested in seeing more about him and his life in rural Japan😊

[@jessicalim1379]

Reflect: Thanks Growing Small for sharing your WISDOM with us. When I prayed to God for helping us to solve our gini-coefficient gap (rich poor gap), God told me there is NO poverty on this planet BUT the true culprit that causes "poverty" on Earth is the Obelisk Administration. Indeed our ENTIRE world can be GREAT again with *New Heaven and New Earth* (neither New World Order nor Slavery System). God Is Love! 佩（贝）玲笔。🙏🏻💕🌻🇲🇾🌎💕🌈

[@dekzz249]

So much positive energy, so peaceful.

[@soniatriana9091]

Rupert looks happy, because he truly is!! He knew what he wanted for his heart & soul & he’s accomplished that!! What a beautiful life tranquil lifestyle in such a beautiful country with amazing people!! Thank you for this enjoyable video!!

[@KASUMINaturals]

I met Rupert in Aichi a couple months ago, an absolute gem of a man. This video really brings the viewer into HIS world, extremely well done. I think I want to go have some more of his tea now 😊

[@GrowingSmall]

Lovely to hear you got to meet Rupert. Am currently working on another video about his new place - you'll enjoy that one too.

[@KASUMINaturals]

@@GrowingSmall Great! I think you have endless fantastic material with Rupert. Looking forward to it!

[@kojiikokoaka_jun34]

@@KASUMINaturals do u know what part of Aichi-Ken he lives in. I’m living there too growing my own veg

[@KASUMINaturals]

@@kojiikokoaka_jun34 Hello Koji-san! Actually, Rupert doesn't live in Aichi-ken, he lives down in the area of Fukuoka (I forget exactly where, but I could check). I happened to meet him at a Kominka event that was held this year in the Aichi-kenminnomori in Shinshiro. He traveled 800 kilometers in his little Kei truck to get there - took him 4 days (with a few stops) to get back! 🙂

[@kojiikokoaka_jun34]

@@KASUMINaturals No worries thanks ahhhh ok I saw the advertisement for the Kominka event too I couldn’t make it. I wonder is it held every year in Aichi?

[@iansingsiansings2101]

Bless you, living your own dream Brother.

[@SuerteDelMolinoFarm]

Greetings and respect from the LooseNatural farm in Andalusia Spain

[@Liz-qm4rb]

I teared up when he said his dream for the rest of his life is to go nowhere 🥲 to have everything you ever want and need on your doorstep, to have that peace and contentment 🥲 thats something i can only dream of 🥺 Living in the city for all my life, with traffic, polution, and congestion; in this age of social media toxicity and comparison, of discontent; i envy this man

[@thunder881]

This will be my life in a few years. I can't find fulfillment in this crazy materialistic lifestyle we chase here in Europe.

[@rajeshs8846]

The more you accumulate the more you need.

[@10pmmemes88]

Not Europe. The entire world

[@AdventureSam]

I will join you thunder

[@muniaisworthit]

I feel the same way,I live in South Asia

[@BlizzardFlawed]

Feel the same way here in southeast asia

[@BATgirl57]

Since discovering your channel, I found I can’t stop thinking about Japan- not just a visit, but to actually have an old farm and nurture it back to life. I love my tiny yard in the USA which produces an extraordinary amount of organic and wild food, and imagine doing the same on a larger piece of land in the beauty and tranquility of rural Japan! Thanks for sharing!❤️

[@aNaturalist]

There's a book titled The Abundance of Less that you might enjoy. The author was an English teacher that interviewed 13 Japanese people that are in "back to the land" situations.

[@BATgirl57]

@@aNaturalist Thank you! I put a hold on a library copy and look forward to reading it!! 😊

[@infinitijourney]

I think that I am heading to Japan too. There is something really fascinating and intriguing about Japan and their culture (and I don't mean Tokyo). I know that they are not really keen on takin in any gaijin especially in rural areas, and this makes it even more interesting to go there. As a gaijin you are not really allowed to buy a house or land there, but I also know that they are changing the law , and maybe one day this will be a possibility.

[@englim5366]

Wow, organic fresh fruits and vegetables, awesome. 👍👍👍👍💕💕💕💕💕

[@soratbeats]

this man is living good

[@an67481]

I'd love Rupert to have more videos of his land and practices! Wonderful guy. ❤

[@calebfuller4713]

3:30 - one thing I've noticed on your videos is people commenting about how great it would be to do this if they were wealthy. Take note of how much Rupert paid for a house AND a field that already had a tea plantation on it.

[@GrowingSmall]

Acute observation! Most of the people I've profiled have never been rich in a monetary sense, they simply prioritized the available money they did have to get started on a piece of land. Everything else is a combination of hard work and great vision.

[@drexxsuma1749]

​@@GrowingSmall a poor country cannot have this kind of thing,just in dreams we wish we can do things like this,we are not allowed to go in countries like japan if we dont have a visa.dis you know that?

[@therespectedlex9794]

@@drexxsuma1749 Do you need a rich country or a fertile one?

[@ptrainingbytim]

My absolute favorite type of vid. I would love to buy some of his tea. God bless you!

[@CaliPatriot88]

This man has a beautiful, pure and vivid soul. I pray God continues to watch over him and he continues to inspire others.

[@willm5814]

This is zen ❤

[@sotto8071]

Well done….. by far you have the most calming lifestyle….. I applaud you 👏

[@deepspace5121]

Me too. I don't travel that much. I just wanted to see my garden often. It's free and therapeutic!

[@akiyajapan]

I'm living in my own kominka in the countryside and also trying to "go nowhere," but there are several challenges. On medical leave due to cancer, and residency is hanging in the balance since I'm neither working, a student, nor married to a local. Who knows how things will play out.

[@scottl.5212]

Thoughts and prayers!!

[@SolidGoldShows]

I love this place. It's so beautiful and simple lifestyle simple living

[@salmanjama6663]

I have the same dream

[@nw1424]

Thank you for Part 2 😊

[@marys1808]

I love the PAST too. Past energy is so calming. I'm a millenial but I do listen to ramdom music from the 40s,50's, 60s, 70s and 80s. With fashion and house design I love anything 50s and older like 1920s.

[@vincizara]

The way he talk you can feel he is a good man

[@banquo80s99]

Those eyes speak happiness. “Happy is the man who owns a few acres of land…and be content “

[@AleQuag]

100 years ago: we've to go to the city! Country life sucks! Today: we've made a huge mistake, me have to go back!

[@swanabangan7885]

Man always goes back to nature, she is nourishing, and nature is our mother.

[@MotiveCap]

The most content man around, just happy with life and nature around him. 😊

[@theamazingmg6947]

Great farming my dear friend ❤

[@carlvanmeerbeek7327]

Looking forward to episode 3 😎

[@GrowingSmall]

It's already been uploaded :) Thank you for watching!

[@carlvanmeerbeek7327]

@@GrowingSmall Looking forward to episode 4 😀😀

[@petratihelkova1276]

I love this man story and his simple approach to life….as he said I don’t want to go anywhere I just want to stay here ❤️🙌

[@mazza0014]

Weeds grow even faster in Yakushima. I'm the Onsen cleaning guy there. Nice to find you on KZbin. The green tea you served us was awesome. Keep going

[@Be_Light_Be_Love_Be_Divine]

I really enjoy these videos, very well done, and such an interesting story! Thank you for sharing!

[@GrowingSmall]

Glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@Be_Light_Be_Love_Be_Divine]

@@GrowingSmall yes, he is living a beautiful life 🍵

[@muanpuiidarlong1662]

I love watching your video

[@GrowingSmall]

Thank you so much, appreciate it!

[@jonathan6935]

Man can survived on his own, simple and Content even without a partner, just what he believes is the things that make him change

[@nicolarollinson4381]

The road to this simple lifestyle? I like to understand the how's and the journey or background is fascinating for me. From the UK to Singapore to Japan with no mention of visas, which are the bane of my unqualified traveller's life 😊. This guy was homeless, on and off, and yet obviously well educated, hence being able to live, originally with the help of an employer, in Singapore. This is all educated guesswork, of course. Smart guy. He put his travelling experience to good use. He saved a small pot of money and bought a house in a remote area in Japan and "bob's your uncle". Hat off to you, man ❤

[@the_tribalist]

Explore the beauty of simple living, natural building, and permaculture in these captivating videos. From sustainable practices to harmonious living, there's something for everyone interested in a greener, more mindful lifestyle. 🌿🏡 #SimpleLiving #NaturalBuilding #Permaculture #Sustainability

[@pcibdo32]

He really looks cool with that Japanese hat

[@aina2165]

Fascinating man. What a beautiful life he`s creating.

[@paulinehanoa1360]

Congratulations! You are living your life that makes you happy and content. A lot of people would never understand including myself. But you found your peace. Simple, thank you for sharing your life and making me think how I want to live my life.

[@Luxury_vagabond]

I envy and respect you.

[@J0ck63]

Rupert, I will never buy tea again,unless it is organic. You are an inspiration ma good man.

[@xmainul_]

I love the peace in your eyes, and clam in your bodies. I wish I could learn to live like this

[@charhogan9141]

I love this man! His easy laughter, his practical ways, such an inspiration!!

[@pamelamckenzie2685]

I just found you its a great video I love it its the way it should be natural

[@joshuapangyarihan5231]

How I wish I could also live like this.

[@AllieBriggsArt]

I cannot express how much I want to be able to go and live this lifestyle. I'm sure my student loans would haunt me no matter what country I live in. But maybe one day, or maybe this is my retirement.

[@adamtheblondie]

this is so serene and fulfilling I wanna cry... excellecent editing for this kind of video

[@hazarinamanang8315]

Rupert we miss you!

[@CountrysidelifewithManayOlen]

I am so proud of you🍃 I'm a young Filipina🇵🇭with a farmer father.

[@CountrysidelifewithManayOlen]

And now I'm here again watching and absorbing your words🍃

[@the_qct_collective]

Great video. I can attest to the rapid growth of 'weeds' in this country, even in the north. Untamable growth. I've just decided to let them have their space in the soil, if that is what they are after.

[@qualqui]

And thats how you discover wild edibles, like in my case, the Talayote, a wild cousin of the Chayote, which is called Chocho in Jamaica and Alligator Pear in the States, specifically in the South. Just one thing, since its a vining plant, better to keep it on a reachable trellis because they will reach for the sky!

[@malcfrost2895]

What a simple and, at the same time a, great man.

[@danieldpa8484]

This looks very peaceful! It would be interesting to understand what brought him to Japan, his journey.

[@gringopapi6985]

Such a likable guy

[@JoylessMonkey86]

Absolute joy, there is a great deal of fulfillment in loving what you have to do. When time can leave your mind in a such a way, thats real peace.

[@thepeopleplaceandnaturepod8344]

I want to have a sustainable lifestyle too! thanks for sharing this! 👏💖

[@MrRichthc8]

I would love to watch more of his farming life videos.

[@13thcolonygaming54]

He is where I want to be but can’t be. Sometimes I think we are rerolled characters with just a part still left in us that for some reason we don’t know why we long for other places comfort that we feel we once lived.

[@jerwinfocad9943]

He is full of joy

[@portraitsofcleo]

Love this! 🪴

[@nwde7102]

We need more of him

[@mamikiramafoko4095]

You look so healthy.I will be stating a homestead vegetable garden. Talk of healthy living!!

[@philipcable437]

Our governments do not like people like this man because he is content and doesn't want any more than what he needs.

[@jeffyrubio2224]

He find his peace that last longer

[@amye6180]

Seriously... I lived in Tennessee my whole life.... Left and seen America.. And realized... These appalachian mountains will provide thoroughly.... And that's why my #2 dream is to live in Japan like Rupert and his brave family.. I would give my whole bank account to be able to live this awesome dream.. 🥹🤦🤟

[@reyagustin9087]

the simple word is......" ENLIGHTENMENT"

[@rosalinamatunog7607]

My dream life! Growing your own food and having fun and peace while doing it.

[@fabianosansao9343]

Amazing! Soul and nature.

[@investfoxy]

I dont need anything but a house in the hilly woods with a broadband connection.

[@jessaC.]

So healthy living

[@missco2820]

This man is very lucky. This is my dream 🥰

[@jphillips4509]

What a fabulous way to live. Ty.

[@anac.aroundtheworld3252]

Just amazing style of life.

[@marlonsy7377]

You're very natural in every aspect.

[@tokoyonokuni4656]

"Yes." - Sen no Rikyû

[@eneri83]

my whole family dreams are to have and live on the farm ,and when we got our farm and my parents started to work on the farm,they became stronger. Living on the farm actually makes you stronger and more long life than those who are working at the office wearing fancy clothes 😅

[@theonlykingclayton]

"my dream for the rest of my life is to go nowhere"....think a few of us need this level of peace, anyone for Japan?

[@mhakes-to5vw]

This is EXACTLY what I want to do when my daughter turns 18 and starts her own life. I have an 11 year countdown. Maybe we'll be neighbors.

[@billysgarden]

Thank you for sharing... Really inspiring 😊

[@vanessamanalo5147]

That's what I want, too.

[@mariakoszalin]

So great he sound truly happy and truly found

[@freeeducationportal7096]

Really a dream life

[@feralshad0w]

I am really curious how he got all this started. In one video he said his friend gave him the property after he lived in singapore for 20 years. Very interesting. Would love to know the back story.

[@user-pi8ly8kq3h]

So rich life.

[@ardn]

This is kind of life that I want

[@theboredengineer2947]

I really want that life even though it seems impossible as I have family responsibilities...and I really enjoy tea in general as well.

[@shanedevries805]

I love your take on life ☺☺☺☺

[@danivinson]

Absolutely loved the videos and the entire ethos and lifestyle. Particularly the tea! Tea like everything else in this western world is being dumbed down and squeezed into one mold! Can't get lapsang souchong anywhere. But the idea of growing and producing your own organic high quality product, mind blown......... Thank you, I'm inspired. 🙏🏻

[@fromSpringfield]

Wonderful. I have a place in Wakayama I am looking forward to...soon.

[@chrischow5311]

Would love to see how Rupert gets a long in a few years time

[@qualqui]

Rupert, is indeed living in Paradise! Why would he want to go see other places? Thank you for sharing and greetings from central Mexico. :)