Wood house in Shiga

Full description

Enjoy convenient rural living! Fall in love anew in a coveted thatched-roof traditional house / Enjoy mountain nature while having convenient access to the city. Cool in summer, perfect for skiing and outdoor recreation in winter. A traditional farmhouse with田の字 layout that many seeking rural living dream of, carefully renovated for comfortable living and tenderly maintained across generations. A wonderful home perfect for living or business. / A stream polished by stone, right nearby! A house carefully passed down through generations. Maibara is known as the water source of Lake Biwa. The pristine stream, which is the 'essence of Lake Biwa,' carries the blessings of rain and snow, absorbing energy from the sun and trees as it flows across mountains and valleys, nourishing the surrounding settlements and cities. Located within an area designated as an 'Important Cultural Landscape,' this region has long produced high-quality granite. In the past, stone Buddha statues, stone pagodas, and stone mortars were produced here, with most villagers working as stonemasons. Walking around the area, you'll encounter beautiful, abundant water flowing over bare rocky outcrops, stone steps made from recycled carved rocks, deep forests, and even artistic stone monuments celebrating the village's pride in stone mortars. There is also a large shrine. The landlord was born and raised in this area but now lives elsewhere. 'This house belonged to my uncle, but I came here almost daily, took a bath, and then went home,' she reminisces fondly. She often went skiing in the mountains with her uncle and helped with rice paddy work. 'I took care of a cow kept in the earth-floored entryway. At that time, my grandfather was also here, and he often brought candy to my pillow, so I have memories of coming to play for that reason,' she laughs. What a wealth of happy and kind memories filled in this house, carefully nurtured and passed down. Close to the house, you can feel the richness of nature and tranquility, with neighbors within reach. Though it's a snowy region, the property faces a main road, so snow removal is not overly burdensome, and access to the city is convenient. 'Whether in summer or winter, there's no shortage of activities, so I think this location would be good for guest house or café businesses. There are mountains and fields, so I'd like to see them put to use,' says the landlord. / Observe the thatch roof marked by history! Though it's a traditional thatched-roof house, a sturdy corrugated metal roof has been placed over it, so there's no need for the expensive undertaking of replacing thatch. The corrugated metal roof is also in excellent condition, having been replaced just a few years ago. The gable-end entrance has a spacious earth-floored entryway, is partially renovated, and the doors and stairs are solid and comfortable. Four rooms arranged in a田の字 pattern with tatami rooms, a hallway, and a kitchen, though lived-in, the space has clearly been carefully maintained. It feels refreshing and pleasant. The large pillars and beams are beautiful. Going up the stairs to the second floor, there's space that could also be renovated as a room, where you can see the underside of the thatched roof. The landlord explained, 'In the old days, there was an 'okudosan' hearth in the earth-floored hall, so the attic was pitch-black with soot. This was good for pest control. You can see beautiful 'sooty bamboo' (susdake). Silkworms were also raised on the second floor.' Old tools like carrying frames (shoiko) and braziers hide in the darkness of the second floor, treasure hunting sounds fun! / Facing nature and living at ease. The south-facing window area is open, with good sunlight and great views. The tatami room with a tokonoma alcove should be used to welcome important guests. Place a finely crafted low table and several nice cushions. Arrange seasonal flowers from the garden in the tokonoma, and add a hanging scroll. The veranda is warm and cozy, place a favorite chair and small table there. Make tea, read a book, and when tired, lie down on the tatami. Occasionally step into the garden to gaze at the pond, draw water from the mountain spring to water the crops, thin seedlings, and pick wild vegetables for evening drinks. As snow approaches, prepare for snow barriers. Check the angle iron and long poles stored in the warehouse that could serve as posts, and don't forget to check the kerosene supply. I wasn't fond of skiing, but coming here suddenly sparked enthusiasm! The house stays cool even in summer heat, and snowy, cold winters now have their pleasures. This is a home where you can live in harmony with the seasons, in a relaxed manner. The kitchen, bath, toilet, and other water facilities are properly equipped, please polish them while bringing out that 'Showa retro' aesthetic. They should be convenient to use too. The flow from the entryway to the water facilities is well-designed. The shuttered garage on the property is all the more appreciated in a snowy region. The vehicle entrance is concrete-paved, convenient for snow removal and easy vehicle access. / Community environment: This area is home to predecessors who moved here seeking rural living in Maibara, making it reassuring. The local people are kind and cheerful, with a foundation of naturally welcoming newcomers based on experience accepting migrants. The landlord also says, 'While there are community obligations, rather than avoiding them, engaging with them helps newcomers settle and live more comfortably. In that sense, I'd hope those living here would engage in community life as much as possible.' Recommended for families raising children, aspiring entrepreneurs, those seeking slow life with vegetable gardens. The house itself. History. Environment. The landlord's wishes. Community., Fall in love with a vacant house and live in the community. That is the 'Koisuru Akiya Project.' / About this house: Composition: Main house, earthen storehouse, garage / Features: [Move-In Ready] Bathroom, toilet, and kitchen all connected to municipal water and sewer, essentially no repairs needed! Can start living immediately. Electricity is fine too. [Thatched Traditional House] With corrugated metal roof covering, minimal thatch maintenance needed while preserving traditional house character. Tatami rooms in田の字 layout can be opened into one large room by removing sliding doors. [Spacious Earth-Floored Entry] Gable-end entrance with concrete-paved entryway is open and practical. [Supportive Pioneer Residents] Neighbors who relocated here are nearby and supportive.

Specifications

Where a detail is not shown, the source listing did not state it. We leave it out rather than guess.

Utilities

Municipal conditions and restrictions

Some towns attach conditions to an empty-home purchase, for example a residency requirement or farmland-law (nochi-ho) approval, which is a local sign-off needed before farmland can change hands or use. These come from the source listing.

• Community engagement (expectation of participation in village activities)

Always confirm the current conditions with the town before you commit.