1920s wood house in Shiga

From the listing

Take the road into Oku-Ibuki and climb a gentle slope; while the walk might be strenuous, the views and sunlight exposure are excellent. The house sits comfortably with a spacious garden. / A large red-stone lantern stands in front and to the right, originally from the local shrine, made from locally-quarried stone. This street was once the heart of the settlement. / The garden offers seasonal experiences throughout the year. Very luxurious and rich. The owner planted the trees and continues to enjoy them in every season. The garden can be converted to farmland; there is also another field plot available. / Four generations have lived here for over 100 years. / [The kitchen hearth (okudosan)] Deliberately preserved. Having a fire inside the house provides a smoke-curing effect and is the secret to the house's longevity. The grandmother used it continuously. As children, starting fires and tending the flame were their jobs, different from wood stoves because smoke rises from the woodfeed opening, requiring careful wood arrangement and difficult flame control. Winter was warm and tending the fire was enjoyable. The owner would be very happy if someone could use the okudosan, though it is quite labor-intensive. / [Silkworms on the second floor] A winter off-season handcraft. Children fed the mulberry leaves; as the silkworms grew, they were separated for easier care. Unable to use mosquito coils, this became a bittersweet memory. A spinning wheel was also in the house. / [The storehouse] The owner once considered demolishing it. Part of the eaves fell during the 1891 Nobi earthquake but was never repaired due to lack of funds. Only the eaves were damaged; everything else survived intact. / Garden: persimmon (fruit in autumn), zelkova, cherry blossoms (Somei Yoshino), camellia, and more, planted by Ibuki-san. Butterbur shoots were also present (transplanted from the field). The soil was originally farmed and remains soft. However, the property sits mid-slope with a significant level difference between the road and garden; fencing is needed for child safety. / Below are fields, a river, and abundant natural play areas. The owner recalls childhood summers spent entirely playing in the river, with so many sweetfish and mountain trout the current was hard to walk through. Even now, the water quality is excellent, supporting healthy rice and vegetables through natural bounty. Winter severity must be managed (average snow: 50 cm), but that snow feeds the river and becomes blessing.