As well as enjoying the photographs of this unique property, you can also view the excellent video of just over ten minutes. We acknowledge the help of Alex and his team, who produced this for the `Tokyo Portfolio` channel. Advertising may appear at the start. To go straight to the video, click on �Skip� on the right. Please note that a condition of viewing the video is that all enquiries resulting from this website listing are made exclusively to Investabroad Properties. To view the video, click on the blue link with the camera outline concealing the words �Virtual Tour/Video�.

The freehold property is situated in an unspoilt, rural area near to the village of Miyama, Kyoto Prefecture, which is located in the Kansai region of Honshu. For centuries, Miyama has provided a peaceful mountain retreat from the nearby city of Kyoto. The Miyama region is well known within Japan for its traditional village atmosphere, with many small hamlets nestled between steep forested mountains.

Miyama is also notable for the preservation of thatched roof houses and is the home of many young thatching craftsmen. This is unusual in Japan and it is interesting that the craftsman who re-roofed this house lives just five minutes away by car. Presently, it is not possible to build a new house with a thatched roof and those with existing thatched roofs have become increasingly rare and more valuable as a result.

The pace of life is slow in this warm and friendly rural community, located just 50 kilometers north of Kyoto City. A few days spent in the relaxing surroundings of Miyama is the perfect antidote to Japan�s fast-paced, overcrowded cityscapes.

This is a rare opportunity to own a traditional iconic timber and thatch home, surrounded by its own private land with a total site area of just under one third of an acre or 1,269.04 square meters (1517.7 square yards). It is expected to be of particular interest to anyone with knowledge and interest in Japanese culture and tradition as well as its nature and peaceful surroundings.

It is believed to have been built in 1886 and the house was comprehensively renovated in March 2023 as a result of very considerable expenditure. This involved the structural reinforcement of the foundations and all structural timbers with appropriately arranged load-bearing walls, the completely new thatched roof covering referred to above, the total modernisation of the interior, plus reviewing and updating all services as required and making general improvements to the accommodation.

The renovation work included all the floors, walls and ceilings being filled with insulation material. Underfloor heating was installed in the kitchen and hearth room and insulation has also been improved by the installation of resin based double glazed sash windows.

Internally, the kitchen was refitted and provides an excellent range of working and storage units, as well as a dishwasher. The washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators purchased in April 2023 are available separately at prices to be agreed. This also applies to the Kyushu folk art furniture cupboards.

Particular attention was paid to the upgrading of the tea ceremony area, the irori or hearth area and the engawa or wooden deck. A new Tatami table, a low Japanese table serving a variety of uses, was also added. So, traditional features have been smartly combined with contemporary requirements.

All the accommodation, including its hall, three bedrooms or tea rooms, a hearth room, a standing room and two bathrooms, is on the single floor. Part of the flooring itself has been replaced, the elegant floor finishes being a particular feature of the total floor area of 133.88 square meters or 1441 square feet. Ready-made floor boards were not used and the floor boards are of solid wood of chestnut, walnut and pine, all of the relatively rare straight grain.

Solid walnut boards were used for the kitchen counter, hearth edge and entrance bench. Straight grained cedar boards were used for the wide veranda ceiling. The ceiling to the entrance is of bamboo. Reed was used for the ceiling of the ryurei seat and for the ceiling of the tea ceremony seating area, both being the room next to the entrance. The walls of the entrance hall, hearth seat, Japanese style room, washroom and toilet have a finish of juraku or clay wall painting.

New sanitary ware was installed comprising the bath with its wall mounted shower unit and protective screen, hand wash basin and two toilets. A large new septic tank was installed, ensuring that there are sufficient services to cater for up to six people. Outside, the drainage of the site was improved to prevent any dampness resulting from water coming off the side of the mountain.

The house is surrounded by its own land which includes on-site parking. The property borders the Yura River, which can be viewed from inside the house. It is recognised as one of Japan�s cleanest rivers and offers kayaking, rafting and fishing for Amago (freshwater red spotted Masu trout), Ayu (edible sweetfish) and Gori.. It connects with the Miyama River and together, they form an attractive feature of the countryside and can be enjoyed by the owner�s family.

The nearby pristine Ashiu Forest, where the Yura River originates, is a habitat for rare plants and animals. Here, you can also feel the history of a lifestyle that is close to nature and a traditional culture that has been passed down, such as a village where many houses with their distinctive thatched roofs still remain.

The property is thirty or more minutes by bus to the nearest railway station, Hiyoshi Station. This provides access to the JR San'in main line from Sonobe to Toyooka. It is located ten minutes by car from Kitamura, which is the tourist centre of the Miyama district and boasts the highest percentage of thatched roofs remaining in Japan.

This is a property that must be especially attractive to anyone interested in Japanese culture and tradition, added to the charming nature and peaceful location of its surroundings.

Advantages of the purchase of a property in Japan by foreigners

1.
No residency requirement
2.
No special taxes on foreigners
3.
No restrictions on ownership
4.
Very low mortgage rates
5.
Low inflation
6.
Weak yen
7.
Value and affordability

On request, Investabroad Properties will explain the above advantages in detail. Please contact us if you require further information.

At the time of this website feature being listed, the purchase price of �110,000,000 is approximately equivalent to US$744,313, �586,882 or �686,667. Currency conversions change constantly, so the figures shown here are no more than a guide and cannot be relied on. Updated figures should be obtained from a recognised currency dealer as required.

Finally, if you are curious about the structural improvements undertaken when the house was completely renovated in March 2023, you may find the last five photographs of interest.

All enquiries resulting from this website listing must be made only to Investabroad Properties.