Explore what life is like in different parts of Japan
Ome sits in the western Tama area of Tokyo, at the eastern foot of the Chichibu mountains. It ranges from a compact town center to satoyama hills along the Nariki river and the trailheads of Mt. Mitake, yet a single train line links it to central Tokyo. It suits people who want to keep a city job while doing a trial stay in a mountain-valley vacant home and taking their time over a move or purchase.
Kure is a port city facing the Seto Inland Sea in southwestern Hiroshima. With deep ties to shipbuilding and naval history, it enjoys the calm Setouchi sea and islands and a mild inland-sea climate. It suits people who want to begin a low-maintenance rural life at an easy, port-town pace, starting from a trial stay in a vacant home.
Hachijo is a town on Hachijojima, a volcanic island in the southern Izu Islands south of central Tokyo. Two volcanoes, Hachijo-Fuji and Mt. Mihara, meet the sea and subtropical greenery, and the warm Kuroshio current keeps the climate mild year-round. As a "Tokyo island" linked to Haneda by air, it lets you weigh a move or a dual-base life while doing a trial stay in an island vacant home.
Oshima is a town on Izu Oshima, the largest island of the Izu Islands, linked by ship from Takeshiba in Tokyo. Its draws are the active volcano Mt. Mihara, still venting steam, the camellias that color the island (known for camellia oil and the camellia festival), and nature framed by the sea. It is also well suited to dual-base living with the city, so you can consider a move while doing a trial stay in a vacant home on this island of camellias and fire.
Akiruno is a city in the western Tama area of Tokyo, spreading out at the gateway to the Akigawa valley. From Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, the scenic gorge — busy with river play in summer and autumn foliage — lies within daily reach, and it is close enough for a day trip from central Tokyo. You can do a trial stay in a valley traditional home and weigh use or relocation in a spot that can also draw tourism.
Hinohara is the only "village of Tokyo" on the main island of Honshu, a forestry village whose hamlets line the Minami-Akigawa and Kita-Akigawa rivers. Ringed by steep peaks, gorges and rich woodland such as the Hinohara Tomin-no-Mori forest, it retains strong old-village ties. Here you can start from a trial stay and join village life while renovating a fixer-upper vacant home by hand.
Okutama is a mountain town at the westernmost edge of Tokyo, in the headwaters of the Tama river that flows through the metropolis. A forested town holding Lake Okutama (the Ogouchi reservoir) and Mt. Kumotori, Tokyo's highest peak, it has gorges and hiking trails within daily reach of Okutama Station. It lets you test a dual-base life — outdoors on weekends, remote work on weekdays — starting from a trial stay in a vacant home.
Nagahama is a city on the northern shore of Lake Biwa (Kohoku) in northeastern Shiga. It prospered as a post town and castle town on the Hokkoku Kaido road, and offers a calm setting between lake and mountains, including the Kurokabe Square streetscape and Mt. Shizugatake. You can weigh a life of remote work on weekdays and lakeside walks on weekends from a trial stay in a home that balances convenience and nature.
Yokote is a city at the heart of the Yokote basin in southern Akita. One of Tohoku's snowiest areas with clearly marked seasons, it is known for the "kamakura" snow-hut festival, Yokote yakisoba, and the surrounding farmland scenery. With a strong sense of the seasons unique to snow country and a rooted culture of mutual help, it lets you consider a move from a trial stay in a home.
Tenryu is a mountainous area in the northern part of Hamamatsu, western Shizuoka, with the Tenryu river running through it. It is known for forestry and the prized Tenryu cedar, beautiful woodland, and valley scenery shaped by the river, with river breezes morning and evening and star-filled nights. You can begin a quiet mountain life — joining local events — from a trial stay in a traditional home.
