Hey Matt, Congratulations on finding such a big, beautiful home in the Japanese countryside. Just a couple of suggestions: Don't make any changes for six months. Living in the house, cleaning it up, getting through your first winter there will be enough. In spring, you'll have a much better understanding of your home and what works for you. Hopefully, you'll also learn to respect the whys and how's of Japanese architecture -- like the beauty of shoji, wood and tatami floors, wood ceilings etc. Do NOT paint (esp. white!) over any walls or wood; just clean it and buff it to its former beauty. Please take time to learn about wabi-sabi -- the Japanese aesthetic concept that finds beauty and serenity in natural objects and designs that are simple, imperfect, and impermanent (e.g., handmade shoji and fusuma doors, wood ceilings. tatami mat floors). You've got a lovely, traditional Japanese home, Matt. Please preserve it with love and respect ... and live to a fine old age in it.

@adblas2222

Ай бұрын

So true! Don’t ruin that beautiful wood. Respect the architecture.

@dlewis895

25 күн бұрын

DONT PAINT OVER ANYTHING BEAUTIFUL NATURAL FANTASTIC WOOD TOO MUCH WHITE IS LIKE LUVING IN A HOSPITAL 24 7 365. YUK MANY YRS RESEARCH HAVE MADE THESE HOMES SO WAIT AN LEARN

Simply amazing! But PLEASE keep the beautiful timber ceiling. Dont paint it white.

Congratulations! I would definitely keep the dividing doors, they are beautiful 😄

@daveleephoto

Ай бұрын

This dude has no idea what he has at all. When winter hits he will realize why rooms are divided in to smaller areas. As this house is traditional there is no central heating. So heating a large room is close to impossible. He’ll learn the hard way. Will be a funny video.

This will be fun to follow. One suggestion: Do not paint over and wood or door panels till you’ve lived there for a while. Little benefit and impossible to reverse. Good luck!

@im.mattguy

9 ай бұрын

I know what you mean, I will definitely paint the timber in the kitchen but might make it a different color to the walls. There’s timber throughout the house and because the kitchen has been changed over the years it kinda doesn’t match with the timber anyway… I’ll keep timber through the house but not the kitchen :)

@bradlybradshaw5972

Ай бұрын

I agree! Don't paint those wood ceilings. It's great the way it is!

$6000 is nothing you got an amazing deal!! The doors are beautiful very traditional.

@SLOBeachboy

6 күн бұрын

Yes, that house is in excellent condition for its age. I lived in a house like that in Tokyo with some other people for a few months before I found my apartment and it was a slum compared to this place. I would not really want to live on the West coast in Niigata of course but that is an excellent price for what he got. If I did want to live out there, I would definitely have bought that house however if given the chance. But if living in Japan I just have to be in Tokyo. Not only that but I need to be right in the heart of the city near all the action which is why I lived in the Shibuya area. Back to the house though the one thing I never liked about those old Japanese houses is that they all have very steep and very slippery wooden stairways and it is very easy to slip and fall since you are always going to be in your stocking feet. Well actually a Japanese person will wear slippers in the kitchen and hallways and will take the slippers off when going into the tatami rooms. Then if you want to go to the toilet you have to put on your hallway slippers back on to get to the toilet and then before you enter the toilet you will change from those slippers and into your bathroom slippers. Then you have to reverse the process to go back to the tatami room. It’s a real pain in the butt but since he owns the house, he can just skip the slippers if he wants to.

Score!!! It’s beautiful. Don’t paint the ceiling and leave the doors.

@pinnacle1717

Ай бұрын

Definitely do not paint those beautiful cedar(?) ceilings.

@dlewis895

25 күн бұрын

DONT PAINT BEAUTIFUL.NATURAL.WOOD. CEILING. GEZZZZZ GARBAGE CAN BE PAINTED WHITE NATURAL.WOOD IS VERY HARD TO FIND AND WALLS ARE MULTIPURPOSE. REPLACE WOULD BE HORRID

@tracylealuckey5314

14 күн бұрын

Lovely hope you have a wonderful time with your new house your new environment and getting used to it all

@TheMeisaku

3 күн бұрын

Opps lost my comment. Don’t paint the shoji n ceilings. Would look weird white! But, other than that, how exciting!! N where again is this? Wow, 20 meters of snow? Sugoii!

@pinnacle1717

3 күн бұрын

@@TheMeisaku There’s already a newer video where he shows the renovations completed. 🤣

I’ve heard that when you move into a house in japan you buy your neighbours gifts, could be a good way to get an introduction and start a friendship with them and get some tips from them for what you’ll need to do with the snow in winter. I think that’s gonna be a big challenge if you’ve never lived somewhere with heavy winter snow! It seems super convenient with everything left behind, looks like you’ve got al the tools you’d need to live there, very cool! Also seems like a big money saver, nice to give the old things a second life 🎉 Think some of those screens and shutters are changeable for the seasons.

@jennypableo9616

Ай бұрын

Japanese traditional gift for neighborhood when you moving

@debbiecurtis4021

Ай бұрын

I think this is correct. As an English women I'd probably gift them some Scotch whisky and some well-made linen tea-towels with London landmarks on them. I'd also go to see the local mayor and introduce myself and take a bottle of whiskey as a gift. Not cheap whiskey either, a good 15 year old single malt.

It's a very nice house and makes me sad that what happened to this family...I'm Japanese living in the US for more than 50 yrs and seeing a house like this leaving everything behind is very sad to me...hope they are okay and you'll do great job to update this house!!!!!

@newaccount091

Ай бұрын

I feel the same… like what happened? 😞. I mean happy for him but can’t help thinking seeing all the families things.. like they were just there 5 mins before he came.

@ryokokirchhoff782

Ай бұрын

@@newaccount091 I know right!!! 😢

@emerg0n0see

Ай бұрын

My thoughts too. I said a prayer for those who were present prior. May they have taken a great opportunity…or made it happen!

@lillypond1061

26 күн бұрын

The owners have to pay a hefty tax by the govt, that is why they walk out. Inheritance tax is 45%. Most young people don't want to live rural.

@ryokokirchhoff782

26 күн бұрын

@@lillypond1061 Wow, did not know that thank you for the info!!!

You will only be heating one small room at a time so keep all shoji doors to close off colder rooms. Freezing is a major problem.

I wouldn't paint the natural wood ceiling or those decorative sliding doors, i would save my money for better toilet and refridgerator, what is really needed. Buy a book of two on bonsai care. Good luck!

@xipho06

10 ай бұрын

Save money ? He bought the house for less the price of a deluxe refrigerator or fancy toilet 😂

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

Toilet is the priority! Figuring that out this week with the plumber and discussing options. Money isn't too much of an issue since it's just the material and the labor cost doesnt exist. I'm doing all myself

@ScottParisi

27 күн бұрын

Did you square away the toilet situation?

That's a really nice house, in the yard is a small jungle, but after some pruning, it will look wonderful. I love hydrangeas.

Love the doors and all the original details.

You got a deal~! 😄👍... dishes, pots, pans, furniture, fridge, houseplants, couch set. Everything looks in good repair. Your only immediate expense (should you choose) is to switch out the toilet from Eastern to Western - you have a move-in ready HOME. Costs for those small items add up. You saved at least $1000 on the furniture alone - You lucked out. That is a good sturdy home. Please don't throw out the couch or other pieces of furniture, except maybe get a new dining table. And leave the doors.

@jccrellin7625

Ай бұрын

Could always just add a western toilet, but leave the other for guest's comfort

@debraderoos5225

Ай бұрын

update kitchen and electricity.

Leave the doors for at least one full year. You will find (as I did in that style of home) that if you use the windows and doors with some forethought that you can heat AND cool your spaces with the sun and outside air movement throughout the day and the year. Those doors are not merely a decorative feature, and that basic home design is thousands of years proven, long before modern heating and cooling.

It's huge! What an amazing find! I'm in Hong Kong and that's basically 3 months rent for a small flat here & you own it! 💪🏼bonus, you get lots of furniture that already fits the space. Keep the doors, they're very pretty.

I wouldn’t paint ceilings or inside until you’ve spent a winter. Then you’ll see how cold the 1 room you occupy can get and where your money will go in 4 seasons

What a deal!! Congrats P.S. Absolutely keep the sliding doors for the bedrooms 😉

Oh my HECK..... You got so lucky!!! The area isn't deserted, the condition is very nice. Looks like the previous owner had family to clean it before it was closed up. This isn't even crammed with garbage and clutter. It's virtually move-in ready. And don't worry too much about being lonely. Being so close to touristy spots, you'll have thru-traffic if the neighbors are slow to warm up to you. And the community winter time work will keep you firmly connected to everyone there. And the upstairs of the shed you can use for drying if you like preserving or canning your own. In the winter it's likely very cold. So you could insulate the whole thing, use it for hobbies or repair work.....

In February, I visited Japan for the first time. I stayed in Myoko-Kogen for one week, where I learned to ski. I enjoyed my experience in this lovely small town so much that i would also consider purchasing a place like this.

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

The first time I visited Myoko I actually had mixed feelings - I preferred the buzz of Hakuba and being close to the northern alps. After spending like a month in Myoko helping a friend with their renovation my feelings changed a lot. I actually like Myoko more for the authentic Japan experience. It will change and infrastructure will continue to develop here. End of the day, there are pros and cons to anywhere, but I'm super happy with Myoko :):)

My vote: Definitely keep the upstairs doors

The house, the garden, the shed! I love it all! A small Japanese house doesn't need fancy shmancy stuff, I'd love to see the outcome of your project! ❤

@dlewis895

25 күн бұрын

REALLY HOT MAYBE WARM.FOR WINTER PLACE TO BE

First of all, congratulations. A really good buy. The house is sound. Keep the doors, if possible, please. You need to become a good gardener or find somebody to help you. Don't forget to water the plants. 😊 Make sure that you make local friends. You need local people to help you and to advise you. A very interesting renovation experience for you!

Why would you a beautiful wood ceiling paint over? Remove all tchotchke from the house clean up and then look what you want remodeling.. but paint wood ceiling I wouldn’t do .. Congrats to your house purchase !

Matt, congrats on the house! I’m really interested in hearing how you are able to purchase a home as foreigner in Japan. I’m also interested in seeing what kind of aesthetic you are going to go for. I ask because, even though I’m not Japanese, your house in its current state, reminds me of my grandma’s house. It has an old school, small town charm to it.

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Yeah for sure, there will be a balancing act of keeping it kinda orginal but trying to make it more comfortable with todays new technology

I agree. Don’t paint the ceilings - and I’d keep the plain doors on (they’re beautiful and brought me back to my days living in Japan)) and possibly remove the patterned doors (storing them, in case the next owners would want to use them). The ofuro looks great! I’d buy a rice cooker and possibly a new fridge and kick back and enjoy the amazing space! So happy for you!

If I were you-I would look into double paned windows first to help with heat and cooling. Any doors taken out, I would put in the shed until I decided to get rid of them. I would find out about cleaning the rafters and door frames rather than painting because once you paint then dirt shows more and they must be repainted regularly. Live in the space for awhile before making any permanent changes. Good Luck!

Clean clean clean but do not paint those beautiful wooden ceilings white.. better re- do the tatami or new shoji doors. Put the money into the bathroom and good winter heating. and congratulations!

You could buy this house, and if you dont like cold winters, rent it to Japanese skiiers, then use the rent and holiday in Okinawa.

Dude, what score for 6K! I wouldn't change a thing... except for the toilet, otherwise it's perfect and ready to move in! Congrats!🎉

Can't wait to see the remodeling and what your keeping

thats a great new adventure you just jumped in ma, best of luck! and Con gratulations on owning you home!

Keep all the shoji doors. I wouldn't enlarge the bedroom as traditional Japanese houses aren't well insulated, and winters are bittetly cold. It's easier and cheaper to heat a smaller bedroom.

Wonderful deal! What a find! Way to go! What an adventure! Keep us posted/updated on your progress!🏡

Canada 64 years experience with snow.A good lite snow float will save your back and heart. Find an area of about 15 feet to push loads of snow to. Then keep building a snow runway to deliver loads of snow to stack the snow. Don't lift with a shovel or it's hard on the heart and 1000 people in bad shape die every year from too much heavy lifting or they injure the lower back.Push snow and deliver it to a 15 foot by 15 foot area.

I'm new here as of today but I just wanted to say that I am so happy for you ! You got a nice place for a fantastic deal !! Can't wait to see more of your channel....

Congratulations on your first home. It looks like your gonna have fun fixing it up the way you want it. Thanks for sharing..from Mississippi ❤❤❤

It appears to be a very traditional home . It's really a treasure . Personalizing it will be delightful . Id spend a year getting used to the place . Updating the bathroom and upkeep is priority . Wishing you the best ❤️🌹❤️

Congratulaions! Can't wait to see how you make it your home.

Although the toilet looks primitive, it forces you to squat which is actually the best way for #2. Plus you don't sit on anything cold in winter.

Wow! The American Dream is now living abroad! 😊 That’s a gorgeous house and little town. Congrats!

Great house! You have a lot of work to do! I adore the garden and plants left behind. 😊

i think thats a wonderful property, man! i'm jealous and happy for you at the same time. thanks for sharing, congrats!

Love the inspiration! I'm heading to japan this winter (landing in tokyo) and cant wait to see what sort of treasures i can find like this!

Dude....why you keep reiterating the price and that the stuff they left you have to deal with it??? U got blessed... That's Awesome 💯❤

😮 I Hope you kept the Lovely Ornate Doors ! They're Fabulous. Such an Adorable home. Congratulations 🎉

Small snow blower would help and maybe insulate the storage building? Your home is beautiful.

I know this is 9mo old, but I’m so excited for you!!! How wonderful and exciting!!! Everything is in pretty fantastic shape and it was sooo reasonable. I mean, in this economy? In my country? That would be refurb on one room! Your channel is my new rabbit hole! CONGRATS!!!!!

Oh my gosh, I stumbled on this video and happy I did! Great buy and just take it one day at a time. Maybe the shed can be turned into an airbnb, since you mention all the ski resorts close by. I'll look forward to your progress ... good luck ;)

very happy for you! by why does his hurt my heart a little. So much backstory to the people who once lived there

That house is AWESOME. Congratulations on the project. Hope you make yourself at home😊 Keep us posted with updates please. Let's goooo!!!

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Will do!

AMAZING! I had no idea that was even possible! Wow!

In winter, there are a lot of snow falling there and you may have to climb up on the roof and get rid of snow though⛄️

@debraderoos5225

Ай бұрын

pay someone to clear the roof in the winter

Really cool house, it has loads of potential. Good luck, I'm certainly gonna follow your journey.

There is nothing to criticise about the house and you shouldn't be complaining about anything including all the furniture and items in the house. It's just $6000. A months salaru in the US.

@aviewer9516

Ай бұрын

I didn't hear him complaining about anything.

I' m so happy for you Bro .Really sweet house . Good luck .

It is absolutely wonderful, I can't wait to see your progress and the end result. My opinion, don't paint the ceiling, the wood is really nice.

How cool - love the home you bought & best wishes!

The house looks so bright, airy, inviting, very nice good job

Hi Matt, new sub from Ig ;) One day we definitely need a step by step guid for how to buy a house in Japan when your not Japanese. Hope to see that one day ! Thanks and keep up the great content !

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

It's all pretty straight forward! And in some areas, like Myoko kogen, they know theres a foreign investment demand. They actually do their best to help in English. I just found out they have a guide book to setting up your life in Myoko with an English version! Pretty cool :)

Wow!! You hit the jackpot 🎰 This is really nice. I would do up the upstairs of the shed, insulate and get a cooling & heating system and have it be a rental come skiing season!! Or during the summer too ~ wow, even the things left behind are in pretty good shape!!

What a lovely house! For some people home ownership is just a dream. Congratulations!

You should completely remodel the back building/shed, it seems to be well insulated, and use it as rental property/building, and make money, either as full time apartment or seasonal for tourist/ skiers.

I look forward to follow you in your journey! Best of luck from the States!

@im.mattguy

9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!

What a bargain you baught and once you put your own stamp on it it will look amazing and by the look of it you will have to get rid of . And just imagine how beautiful it will look like there in the winter time there. Looking forward to seeing the next video. My Brother and I are going in November for a holiday in Japan it will be our first time there so many people here in Australia have said what a beautiful Country it is .

For $6000 this was an absolute no brainer man you hit the jackpot! Literally can't lose on this investment! Congratulations!

Amazing! cant wait to see how you will transform the place

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

Thank you! Will keep updating!

@watcherManu

3 ай бұрын

This is legit a dream from me. Just buying a House in Japan and renovating it for its best. Btw im kind of sad that you want to take out so many doors ( i love the traditional japanese style). I hope your project is going well❤

@kaleeysmith8801

Ай бұрын

@@im.mattguy when you say 10min. to ski resort, do you mean local bus or driving a car? is there a public bus you can take to ski resort? How many kms is it from your area? i might want to look for a temp. PERMANENT housing, i wouldn't mind taking a ebike or a 4x4 electric buggy?

Love it, congratulations !

Congrats! Recently heard that there is more interest in the skiing locations and more investments are coming to your area. Rentals are fetching $1,000 USD per night.

Great house !! Love it, and garden is gorgeous ❤

As far as dealing with the snow, it's called a snowblower. Honda makes the best ones, right there in Japan, you'll likely need a good 2 stage snowblower. Do they have craigslist or something equivalent in Japan? That's where I would try to find one.

Amazing!! $6000... mind blown. Love it!

AMAZING! This has major potential!

This is actually great. I love spending a bit more money to get something in good livable conditions. The $1 houses will cost you a loooooot more in renovations, time and white hair

Congrats on your new home! Coming from a Canadian, you must invest in a snowblower. cant wait to see what you do with the place!

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

My place is on the main street, you can kinda see from the outside my door is almost on the road. A few buildings down the street theres a post office and next to that theres a hospital - so I guess this road will be kept very well by the council. Do you think it would still require a blower for out the back garden?

@ccsobsessed

10 ай бұрын

@@im.mattguy hmmm you could always see how much snow comes down the first year and think about investing in a snowblower. Snow gets really heavy so it will get hard on the back for sure!

Nice home! We've tossed around the idea of doing similar but not really wanting to make that commitment yet especially in another country we visit often

I'm 2 min. 37 secs in to the video & I've heard that everything in the house comes with it like 5-6 times!!! We get it!

Wow. Lovely. I agree with earlier comments. Don’t paint or do anything drastic till you live there for a while. Except maybe change the toilet 😁.

1) Congratultions! 2) Keep the fridge. It’ll outlive literally everything else.

I would imagine with all the modern conveniences we have nowadays is that such a traditional Japanese home would become more rare. Me personally I absolutely love the doors. Maybe the one with the two big rooms so you could combine it would look good but the other one I would leave those doors they're beautiful! I love how peaceful it is outside! GREAT PURCHASE!

man, this is an incredible deal!

That is a lot of house for that money and looks in great condition and with loads of potential. I would on the bottom floor extend the kitchen to the other room to have a good size kitchen with enough space for a table, on the other side join both rooms as well for a big living room and join the shower room toilet and vanity area for a big bathroom too. On top floor i would make the 4 bedrooms in to 2 big ones and that room in the end with loads of windows like an office with some sitting areas to chill. The house would be much roomier and still have 2 bedrooms. The house looks really cool from the outside too. Wouldn't mind buying one myself

New subbie from IG! Im glad you’re now on YT! Ganbatte ne! 🇯🇵 ❤

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

Thank you!

You got a bargain, Congratulations. As an American, I would need a western style toilet and a bed on a frame off of the floor with a comfy mattress and pillow. The rest is cosmetic upgrades like painting and decorating. I love your view of the mountains and rural countryside town. The garden has so many possibilities as a pretty Japanese tea garden. How wonderfully fun for you.

Please keep posting also I hear that having things hauled away is really expensive Its awesome!

By now you have a snow blower for sure!😊 nice place congratulations!👍🏻😁

I love your house! Enjoyed your video!

It’s a good deal but also involves a great deal of work. I would completely renovate the house and replace the old school kitchen and washrooms. I’m hoping it’s located and the proximity to a train station is good. Good luck Thanks. 👍👍👍

Wow! $6K?! Seems extremely cheap! Lucky find. The house is adorable from outside. I'd love to own that property! Lots of potential. 🇨🇦

Congratulations on your new home! It's a beautiful house, and the view from upstairs is great! It'll be amazing when those hills are covered in snow. It definitely needs some brightening up, but some fresh paint or lighter flooring will help. I love all the wood flooring and railings. It gives the house a warm feel.

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

I'm exciting for the snow! The place really comes alive in winter, too. I'll probably do the walls in a white or off white and leave the timber features :)

Great adventure and bargain price. Paint it up and it will be great .. about to watch your 8 weeks in to see how it went.

Awesome deal,Matt! Teach us how to look for such deal and acquire it.

Amazing house I love it !!!! I think keeping the sliding doors is a good idea. Rooms are large and nice. Actually it is like a mansion comparing many of the modern new flats everywhere :) Enjoy it. ( But I wonder why did the ex owners leave all their stuff behind ? )

Wow what a great deal ! Congratulations. Are the walls and ceiling insulated very well because you mentioned how cold it gets in winter ?

I have an EGO leaf blower. If the snow is dry powder, you would be amazed at how efficient and easy it is to remove snow.

Wow! What a great find for that price👍

Congratulations on your new home.

So it turns out that you are a better KZreadr than QS 😂. Congratulations on the house and I look forward to seeing how my favorite former work colleague improves this beautiful place. Good luck and I miss you. Frank.

Omg so nice and affordable.and if it’s close to the ski resort it’s perfect for me

@im.mattguy

10 ай бұрын

Definitely!! :)

Sometimes the fees and fines that may be attached to the property may be more than the house is worth, housing in Japan is way different than in the states. House often are built to last just 1 generation maybe 2 at most then destroyed and rebuilt, this seems costly to us but it's actually cheaper.

Suggest that you should change all the windows cuz they are single panels which are not great in the winter. Will leak alot. Waste heat for sure. Look for double panels windows like Canada to hold in the heat therefore save some money for heat bill.