A Japanese couple has successfully restored an abandoned house into a cozy guesthouse called Yui Valley in the countryside of Japan. The couple, Daisuke Kajiyama and his late wife Hila, spent around $40,000 renovating the house using traditional materials to keep its authenticity. The guesthouse offers unique experiences such as bamboo weaving workshops and has become a popular destination for travelers.
A Labor of Love
The couple was aware that they had a lot of work ahead of them, but they were thrilled to be one step closer to having their own guesthouse in an ideal spot.
The Renovation Process
Kajiyama and Hila were aware that they had a lot of work ahead of them, but they were thrilled to be one step closer to having their own guesthouse. The couple spent around $40,000 renovating the house, completing much of the work themselves. Kajiyama replaced the floors and added in a toilet, which was a wedding present from his parents.
Keeping it Authentic
Kajiyama was determined to keep the house as authentic as possible by using traditional materials. He saved money by collecting traditional wood from building companies who were in the process of breaking down traditional houses.
A Dream Realized
Around two years after beginning work on the house, which has been named Yui Valley, they were able to welcome their first guests. “It was a beautiful feeling,” says Kajiyama. “Of course, this was my dream. But people really appreciate that it [the house] was abandoned and I brought it back to life.”
A Country Retreat
Yui Valley has helped to bring many travelers to the village of Tamatori over the years. The guesthouse is a testament to Kajiyama’s determination and vision, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving traditional Japanese culture.
Authentic Style
Kajiyama was determined to keep the house as authentic as possible by using traditional materials. He saved money by collecting traditional wood from building companies who were in the process of breaking down traditional houses. The house is a beautiful example of traditional Japanese architecture, and it has been lovingly restored to its former glory.
A Home Away from Home
Yui Valley has helped to bring many travelers to the village of Tamatori over the years. The guesthouse offers activities such as bamboo weaving workshops and has a beautiful energy that makes it special for Kajiyama to host guests. He estimates that he’s spent around $40,000 on the renovation work so far, and if the feedback from guests and locals is anything to go by, it seems to have been money well spent.
A Visionary Project
Daisuke Kajiyama, a Japanese traveler, had spent years backpacking around the world and was finally ready to return home to pursue his long-held dream of opening up a guesthouse. In 2011, he arrived back in Japan with his Israeli partner Hila, who he met in Nepal, and the pair set about finding the perfect location for their future venture.
In a small village located in the Shizuoka prefecture, between Kyoto and Tokyo, Daisuke Kajiyama and his late wife Hila stumbled upon an abandoned “ghost house” that would become their dream guesthouse, Yui Valley.
Akiya Houses: A Growing Problem in Japan’s Countryside
As younger people move to cities for work, Japan’s countryside is filled with “akiya,” or abandoned houses. According to the Japan Policy Forum, there were 61 million houses and 52 million households in Japan in 2013, and this number is likely to increase due to the country’s declining population.
Finding the Perfect Location
Kajiyama was driving around Tamatori when he came across an elderly woman farming and decided to approach her. He asked if she knew of any empty houses in the area, and she pointed out two neglected houses side by side – a former green tea factory and an old farmer’s home.
