@@foureyeddragon00 Yes, when they showed cutting back the bushes and stuff I was thinking how glad they would be to get rid of all the extra insects and critters that found that jungle a perfect place to live and breed.
If you think how a majority of them are old enough to be your grandpa it's sad to see that their generation might be the last. I don't live in Japan though hahhaah.
You live in a building as beautiful as an old buddhist temple... Really fascinating. It's amazing to see the typhoon protection simply built into the house.
I think he mentioned previously that the architect used to or usually designs shrines?? So it would make sense it's that beautiful. But I totally agree. This house is stunning.
The buddha you found looks like Guan Yin, Kannon Bosatsu in Japanese, the bodhisattva of compassion, and it is a very good omen/sign!! I think you should keep it somewhere with respect, it will be a great guardian to the house! Or if not, I am sure you can easily find it a new home :) Keep up the good work, fingers crossed!
I believe you are correct, it is Quan Yin, I have a bronze statue of her and they are very much alike. If there is room to put her next to the shrine, that would be perfect.
I held my breath when you "uncovered" the buddha statue. I thought of the worst when you were slowly uncovering it.....but much to my delight, it's a beautiful statue. Hope you're keeping it.
Although admittedly the video was done for dramatic effect, the feeling you had was the feeling I had when I first uncovered it. Opened the blankets with a bit of trepidation. Thought is to keep it but if we don't will either sell or donate (not sure of its quality/value).
@@TokyoLlama Well, keep us updated. Discovering a beautiful statue around your place is exciting. Hope it's worth a lot for your sake. Anyway, looking forward to your next video.
@@TokyoLlama It looked like there was a body inside and there is a body inside indeed expect that it is wooden 😂😂 I think it could worth several hundred dolars, in fact many objects in the house could have worth a lot if they weren't kept in such terrible conditions ofc..
I used to collect scrap on the streets of Nagoya for a few month to make some money. So I had some insights into the recycling business in Japan. Based on this I want to give you some advise. If you bring anything which contains metals to a scrap yard, they will pay you a small amount or at least take it for free. This includes any electronic device or hosehold appliance. The only exaptions are tube TVs and refrigirators. For these they will also charge a fee. Scrap yards will take car tires for free if they are made of steel and if they are from aluminum, they pay you a fixed amount. Different yards have different rules. Some are more picky then other, so you have to visit a few to find one which really takes everything. The rules at small yards are usually less strict. The disposel of air conditioners is the best example for the advantage of a scrap yard. If you hire a company to dispose an air conditioner, they will charge you 4500 Yen. If you bring it to the scrap yard, they will pay you around 100 Yen/kg. So you will get probably 4000 Yen for it.
Thanks for watching. Yes, we have sold some of our metal, and some scrappers have come by to take some away for free. For some reason they didn't want to take the car wheels. Some of the stuff at the end, I just wanted to get rid of quickly while we we were clearing the sheds otherwise it just ends up piling up in another part of the property.
@@TokyoLlama The scrap yards which take car wheels sell them as whole container loads to africa. If your yard doesn't want them, it's probably because they are not engaged in such a business. Like mentioned before. Different yards are looking for different material. I am sure there is another yard in your area which would have also taken your wheels. I am currently not living in Japan but I am also planing to buy an akiya in the near future. The style of house you have chosen is exactly what I am also looking for. So your videos are very helpful and also entertaining to watch. great work.
@Battosai87 thank you for this information! It is wonderful when a user with personal experience comments on unknown things like this. It helps a lot of people. Thank you!
Me and my girlfriend are 100% LOVING this series. The house is so beautiful and its a shame that it was so wrecked. Keep up the great work and we will definitely keep watching. Good luck!
The good thing about this mini castle being in the condition it was in, was that it was sold at a lower price. It's working out just nicely ;) You certainly have to have a lot of patience with this project but I am super envious of what you have. The other little house would make a great Air BnB BTW :)
Love to see how your hard labor to restore this huge property. Keep up the good job, praying for your success for the good of your family. Keep safe as well and the workers. Thanks for this informative video that full of inspiring and challenging workmanship. Looking forward for the future outcome of your generous labor.🙏
Holy Moly, you gained about 3k subs in just 2 days, UA-cam algo strike again for good content! Keep us updated, this is realllly fascinating to watch! I've just binge watched all your videos in one go, it's just like watching a tv serie that you like, you cannot stop!
@@TokyoLlama It has been a long time since I have found a channel I liked this much UA-cam needs more content like this! Sensible, fun and well made. Edit: I figure I should clarify by sensible I mean, you wouldn't act like a douchebag like Logan Paul + there's no silly drama with this channel. Just chill good content.
Hey Tokyo Llama! I just wanted you to know that I find your content original and creative! I can tell that you put a lot of time into your videos and I really appreciate it!
Thanks very much - appreciate the feedback, makes it all worthwhile. Yeah, I try to put a bit of my own angle on things, but probably overthink a lot of it!
I don't know why UA-cam recommended your video at first, but I'm so glad it did! I've watched all your videos and I find the whole process of moving and renovating your house to be fascinating! I love the community spirit - takes me back to my hometown in Malaysian Borneo. Keep it up, mudah-mudahan sukses!
As an American, watching the footage of driving through the town and countryside was really interesting. We drive on the right side of the road, so I was trying to consider things from the driver's perspective (right turns vs. left turns) and found it to be a fun mental challenge. I don't think I'm ready to take a driver's test in Japan yet! :) Great video.
Thanks, you'd get used to it quickly. I drove a lot in Europe and apart from one time almost entering the a motorway in the wrong direction, it was fine...
13:15 Oohhh! That's what that small wooden structure on the left is for! I thought it looked a bit out of place (like something covering an AC which didn't make any sense on this building...) What a clever thing! people in the US should copy that in their hurricane regions.
I am so grateful for the way you are documenting this house's story. For a person like me, with little to no knowledge of Japanese architecture and building techniques it is extremely interesting to see how it was designed with specific materials and specific climate in mind. And your close-ups showcasing the amazing craft that was put into this building are worth everything. Really, you are doing a marvellous job of bringing this place back to its glory. Thank you so much for sharing this.
I am in awe of this house ... when you started getting those shutters out 😦 I was done. Japanese people have been too advanced for the longest. Just wowwwwwww wowwwww 👏🏽👏🏽
I had been wondering about the side bits on the house, they seemed too large for mere decoration - of course I know very little about Japanese architecture so I thought that's all they were. But I should have known better, nothing is ever that simple in Japan! Very cool design feature, to keep the panels hidden away like that! And I'm so glad your area wasn't hit so hard by the typhoon, good luck with more renovations as winter hits!
That storm shutter system is genius- I had been wondering what that construct on the corner was! When I lived in Germany, our building had external roller shutters over the windows which connected to a pulley system that you operated from the inside. Perfect for the summer, snow or the intense thunderstorms they get at times. I've often missed them since I moved back to the UK.
Nice pun! Yeah, looking back at the old videos it has changed a lot. Our eaves are the perfect place for hornets nests, so need to keep an eye out before they grow too big.
That hornet's nest is a beautiful creation of nature, but it has to go. Once, at work 3 floors up (here in Sydney, Australia), there was a huge wasp's nest under construction. The windows were thick solid glass that couldn't be opened, so I enjoyed safely watching the progress of the nest being constructed.
this is a great series, good change of pace from the typical Tokyo or other big city jvloggers, look forward to seeing more videos, definitely subbing!!
Yeah this is more interesting to me. Tokyo city vloggers can be fun to watch occasionally but a lot don't really add anything to it. I miss Japan from my trip there so it's fun to watch sometimes for that reason, but yeah this channel has everything. It has the cultural stuff, beautiful rice paddies, the Japanese architecture, renovation, some dramatic effect like the Buddha haha. This is the content I've been waiting for! Also one other thing I dislike about foreigners making content in Japan is when they just blatantly get shit wrong because they didn't do their research or they speak with more authority on Japanese culture than they should. Tokyo Llama however doesn't pretend to be some expert on Japan and just shows rather than tells. Don't get me wrong, I am sure he knows a bit about the culture having a Japanese wife and having lived there for a bit. I just don't like foreigners on holiday in Japan briefly pretending they know EVERYTHING about Japan and it's culture haha.
the storm covers that just slide out like that are so clever oh my god. this house is work of art, which is strange and refreshing to see. ironic even, considering its age.
Loving the series. A suggestion: I once watched a youtube video about a tatami recycling/refreshing company. They can take old tatami and put new covers on them to make them good as new. I hope you'll do that rather than throw out the old tatami and buy new ones. I've been trying to find the video...but I couldn't find it.
It's wonderful that you are renovating this beautiful place. I so envy you. I am an American (US), but adore Japanese culture and I collect Japanese art. It has been such a pleasure to follow you here on UA-cam. I really admire all the work and money you have invested in this lovely place! Thanks for sharing!
Your home is going to be so beautiful when you finish. It's hard work to renovate an old house, but the satisfaction of having a unique home in the end makes it worth while.
I am just happy to see that the damage of the typhoon was not to hard. I was in Tokyo when Hagibis arrived, and I was concerned about flooding in your area.
I was going to say, considering the house has been abandoned for so long, it could be in way worse shape. What if you looked at it after the typhoon? Without storm windows? Ouch!
I found the channel earlier this morning and watched the entire catalogue in a single sitting. Great videos and I'm eager to see how the house comes along. Is there any chance that you could include a blueprint or an overview to how the house is laid out? Best of luck with the rest of the project!
Thanks very much for watching - appreciate it. I'll definitely include a blueprint, possibly in the next renovation video. In fact, I had done a video going through the blueprints for the house now and the renovation plans, though scrapped as it was too dry. But I've got some ideas from other channels on youtube on how to present in a more interesting way so I will give it another go.
It's wonderful to watch the restoration of this house. I am sure it appreciates all the love and thought going into it again. The driving footage was very relaxing. I always like to see around the world this way. I would watch a whole series of just driving scenery.
Its very I teresting seeing the different ways of doing things. In NZ you would have to have scaffolding for most of the work on the roof in this video, or be in a harness. And I think the digger would have to have to something like a forestry cage on it, bit don't quote me! That being said, your carpenter certainly looks like he's spent years frolicking around on roof tops!
Yes, I was a little worried watching him - he was a specialist roof guy, probably about 70 years old, so certainly knew what he was doing. Wore special tight shoes. In regards to the digger. Japan is surprisingly quite relaxed in terms of regulation when it comes to some things.
Thanks very much for subscribing. I think the show ended before I arrived but people have told me about it, and I've seen some clips on youtube. Heard they're starting it up again?
@@TokyoLlama There are quite a lot of episodes floating around on youtube with different subs. ua-cam.com/video/WYqGHsqE23k/v-deo.html this is an episode that had 140 yrs old house. Quite excited to see how your house will turn out in the end.
I am throughly enjoying your process of renovating your home. I especially like watching you drive around your home and seeing the neighborhood. The transformation has fun to watch. I cant wait for the next video.
I’ve been living in Ibaraki for a year and 8 months! It took me a while to get used to the narrow streets. And sometimes google maps will get you lost in the middle of someone’s farm. Awesome job on the house! Love these videos
Four years ago...We bought an old house too! After renovation, it’s a home we are proud of and we really love living in the Japanese countryside. Thanks for these videos. Great work! 👍
2 things that wowed me: 1. The organization and technology of the garbage disposal and recycling process. 2. How the typhoon screens are built in. Such an elegant and efficient solution.
Glad you made it through the typhoon ok :). Those shutters are so amazing! Japanese design is so efficient and elegant. Can't believe it's designed so one person can shutter the whole house. In Florida we have our shutters bungee cord to a wall in the garage, it takes two guys to put them up.
Thanks! It is a little easier to do with two, especially as some of the shutters aren't as smooth as others, but it is surprising in how good condition they are after all these years.
I see them quite a lot but they can be quite expensive I believe. Though with the number of strong typhoons recently I‘m sure they’ll gain in popularity.
So, UA-cam suggested your channel to me and I've caught up watching all your videos. What a beautiful house and property! I love that your videos are so informative and yet you keep them brief. I'm very excited to keep watching to see what you all do with this house and property. Thank you for letting us tag along on your journey.
I watched all the videos in a day, thank you for recording and documenting the renovation process! It's really fascinating. I look forward to the next video. :)
Looks like you didn't take too much damage from the Typhoon. I was worried when I saw this video in the list. Just binged all your videos and will be keeping an eye out for the rest of them. GL with the renovations. This gives me a good insight and hope that I can do something like this in the future.
Thanks very much, I was certainly concerned as we live near a river but the levees did their job. Glad the videos have been helpful, thanks for watching.
Your videos are very good. That is an amazing building and it's so wonderful to see it as it moves back to being a home. It has been very educational about a topic that is very hard to find information on. Can't wait to see the next part!
Wow that recycling plant was amazing, and the price to hire the little truck is very reasonable. here in NZ we all have car trailers for carting stuff around but in all my trips in japan i have never seen one except for on farms. Shame to pull down sheds when you can never have enough shed space . By the way the place where you got the truck looks to be doing a restoration on an early Mazda Cosmo id be very interested to know if it is for a customer or themselves. Keep up the good work on the house and videos.
Thanks, yes those trucks are very handy, was thinking about getting one myself. I'll ask about the Cosmo next time I'm there but that place both repairs and buys/sells cars at auction, so it could be either. I asked about the orange Hilux you can see there too, but it's only a single cab (I'm thinking to trade in my family Subaru for a twin cab Hilux as an alternative to getting a light truck).
I think the house is absolutely beautiful and the Buddha you discovered looks to be very old and should go back into the house in a place of prominence since it belongs with the house. I think although it may have been an heirloom of the old family you purchased and by extension rescued the house. The statue is no different than if you bought it from an antique store. The statue is your family heirloom now.
Thanks - I am considering doing something like that with the two story building next to the house. This area is a bit devoid of tourist attractions but there are nice cycling routes so might appeal in that way.
paint the house Black with golden accent, plant some cherry trees and pink sakura in the front of the house, btw such a beautiful house you have, I can't wait until your next video
Actually we’re just discussing what colour to paint the house. I like the traditional black but not sure if would suit our place for some reason. At the moment thinking a dark brown stain. Already got the sakura planned for spring! Thanks, appreciate the comments!
@@Spetsialista I'm considering this too - but keep in mind Japanese traditionally char or stain these types of buildings in persimmon juice mixed with bengara or soot to protect from rot and insects.
Buy a cheap, used pickup truck/equivalent. You will use it more than you expect. It makes things so much easier when you can just pick something up or drop something off without having to make prior arrangements. At the end of the project you can sell it if you don't need it any more. (But if you are gardening, raising chickens, etc., I expect you will always have a need for a beater truck.)
Thanks, looking into it now. One issue is that we already have two cars, so I’m looking at replacing one with a used Hilux. Hilux is the only locally sold pickup here even though the Japanese makers have them in overseas markets. You’re right, would definitely be more convenient than renting.
are you going to do a loft? it would look really cool to put some warm white spot lights shining up onto the roof in the kitchen, would look really good at night in contrast to a modern island kitchen :) Keep up the great videos!
That’s right, we’re doing a loft/mezzanine at the back where the old kitchen unit used to be. The plan is to have some spot lights too - you’re on the same wavelength as our architect.
Different culture and mindsets. The US started as a colony for people that wantedcto start over from scratch, no matter how hard it is. The growth was around that mentality of always be ready to start over, build newer and better. Japan has a culture stretching thousands of years, a very closed one for the most part. Their view is usually around building stuff the proper way the first time and it isn't a "disposable is ok" mentality. They've also experienced earthquakes and typhoons during all those thousands of years so building for them is a must.
Sometimes it is beyond repair. Or the cost to repair is higher than replacing. Or in some cases they do not intend to stay there or unsure that this is where they will stay the rest of their life. I stay in a apartment and while I live in a desert I know I will not be staying for life. Life is not fair and neither is nature.
@@maryrichen7393 Well people could also just build better houses that you can resell for the same value after moving out. Basically what the rest of the world does... Then you wouldn't have to rebuild the house every now and then if you got unlucky with the weather xD
@@Kraechtshammer problem is most buy it after the fact it was built and sometimes funds are hard if they are building. Other than that is that a lot of people assume that the work will be done quality when in reality it is done cheap as possible and still legal. So they might not know that quality is bad. Yeah I am American but still human cheat each other and that is not something that is just limited to country. And yes I do realise some just do not care. Excuse me if I get confusing. Been up for 14 hours and still about 13 or so hours left til I can rest.
I just starting watching your videos and have become fascinated by many aspects of the house and your renovations. As a resident of the USA I can say I was shocked by the cleanliness of what you called "the tip". No dump would ever match that level of clean here.
“Here are a few things we came across that we hadn’t seen before” me: oh god it’s a body bag
i thought it's a corpse or something that was left by the old owner, lol
I thought it WAS the original owner lol
Totally had the same thought lol
Lol me too
I WAS HOLDING MY BREATH ! :O
"ITS A BODY, ITS A BODY, ITS A BODY---"
(pulls back cloth)
"Oh. ...Yeah, cool, sure. Buddha."
In projects like this, this is where cousin's, siblings, nephew's come in handy.
Dont leave out your sisters and nieces. Simple construction is a life skill girls are often left out of but still need to know.
@@jessleighton3795 Funny, but I wouldn't want the house to fall apart so quickly.
The old people are amazing how they rally around and help.
They've been so amazing.
i think they have finally something fun going on around. Long life in a quiet places can be boring a bit. But still its a best way to live.
@@adarrosenberg9151 Plus if they own the properties around the house they are probably grateful to have somebody fixing up an eyesore.
@@foureyeddragon00 Yes, when they showed cutting back the bushes and stuff I was thinking how glad they would be to get rid of all the extra insects and critters that found that jungle a perfect place to live and breed.
If you think how a majority of them are old enough to be your grandpa it's sad to see that their generation might be the last. I don't live in Japan though hahhaah.
You live in a building as beautiful as an old buddhist temple... Really fascinating. It's amazing to see the typhoon protection simply built into the house.
Thanks Elias - yes, the typhoon shutters being built in was a nice touch and a real bonus as we hadn’t noticed them when we bought the house.
It was so cool seeing that system in action!
I think he mentioned previously that the architect used to or usually designs shrines?? So it would make sense it's that beautiful. But I totally agree. This house is stunning.
Gotta say I hadn't even thought of tatami style tyhoon protection. I bet it's strong as hell. Amazing!
Elias Orbon it’s absolutely amazing! Such a palace it’s going to become!
The buddha you found looks like Guan Yin, Kannon Bosatsu in Japanese, the bodhisattva of compassion, and it is a very good omen/sign!! I think you should keep it somewhere with respect, it will be a great guardian to the house! Or if not, I am sure you can easily find it a new home :)
Keep up the good work, fingers crossed!
I believe you are correct, it is Quan Yin, I have a bronze statue of her and they are very much alike. If there is room to put her next to the shrine, that would be perfect.
If the stone can protect the house we shouldn’t have the police and locks in our house just leave the door open the statue will take care of it
Totally support your suggestion, good idea
@@nazmor661 lmaoo
That kuan Yin statue is a really amazing find! We have one just like it at the Ashram I work at in the temple. Very special find.
I held my breath when you "uncovered" the buddha statue. I thought of the worst when you were slowly uncovering it.....but much to my delight, it's a beautiful statue. Hope you're keeping it.
Although admittedly the video was done for dramatic effect, the feeling you had was the feeling I had when I first uncovered it. Opened the blankets with a bit of trepidation. Thought is to keep it but if we don't will either sell or donate (not sure of its quality/value).
@@TokyoLlama Well, keep us updated. Discovering a beautiful statue around your place is exciting. Hope it's worth a lot for your sake. Anyway, looking forward to your next video.
@@claylover9845 Thanks a lot, will do.
@@TokyoLlama It looked like there was a body inside and there is a body inside indeed expect that it is wooden 😂😂
I think it could worth several hundred dolars, in fact many objects in the house could have worth a lot if they weren't kept in such terrible conditions ofc..
A Kwannon statue, I think?
I can't get over how tiny the roads seem to be compared to American ones.
I love seeing the drives through the neighborhoods.
Thanks, I'll tell my wife - she is not a fan of the driving footage.
@@TokyoLlama I also love the driving footage!
@@TokyoLlama The driving footage is great.
Not a fan of driving footage here
@@TokyoLlama Some driving footage is okay, maybe not quite so much.
I love the Japanese. That’s gotta be the cleanest rubbish dump I’ve ever seen.
Every city / town in Japan has this kind of rubbish dumping facilities. Very convenient when you move out and have lots to slow away.
I used to collect scrap on the streets of Nagoya for a few month to make some money. So I had some insights into the recycling business in Japan. Based on this I want to give you some advise.
If you bring anything which contains metals to a scrap yard, they will pay you a small amount or at least take it for free. This includes any electronic device or hosehold appliance.
The only exaptions are tube TVs and refrigirators. For these they will also charge a fee.
Scrap yards will take car tires for free if they are made of steel and if they are from aluminum, they pay you a fixed amount.
Different yards have different rules. Some are more picky then other, so you have to visit a few to find one which really takes everything. The rules at small yards are usually less strict.
The disposel of air conditioners is the best example for the advantage of a scrap yard.
If you hire a company to dispose an air conditioner, they will charge you 4500 Yen. If you bring it to the scrap yard, they will pay you around 100 Yen/kg. So you will get probably 4000 Yen for it.
Thanks for watching. Yes, we have sold some of our metal, and some scrappers have come by to take some away for free. For some reason they didn't want to take the car wheels. Some of the stuff at the end, I just wanted to get rid of quickly while we we were clearing the sheds otherwise it just ends up piling up in another part of the property.
@@TokyoLlama The scrap yards which take car wheels sell them as whole container loads to africa. If your yard doesn't want them, it's probably because they are not engaged in such a business. Like mentioned before. Different yards are looking for different material. I am sure there is another yard in your area which would have also taken your wheels.
I am currently not living in Japan but I am also planing to buy an akiya in the near future. The style of house you have chosen is exactly what I am also looking for. So your videos are very helpful and also entertaining to watch. great work.
@@Battosai87 That's great information mate, thank you. Hopefully it helps someone else in the same situation.
@Battosai87 thank you for this information! It is wonderful when a user with personal experience comments on unknown things like this. It helps a lot of people. Thank you!
@@Battosai87 wow, you sparked my curiosity there! by any chance, do you know what they do in Africa with the old tires?
Me and my girlfriend are 100% LOVING this series. The house is so beautiful and its a shame that it was so wrecked. Keep up the great work and we will definitely keep watching. Good luck!
Thanks very much - appreciate you and your girlfriend watching!
Tokyo Llama 🦙 I found your channel today 25/11/19 and am watching all I can on your ‘palace’. It’s beautiful.
The good thing about this mini castle being in the condition it was in, was that it was sold at a lower price. It's working out just nicely ;) You certainly have to have a lot of patience with this project but I am super envious of what you have. The other little house would make a great Air BnB BTW :)
Love to see how your hard labor to restore this huge property. Keep up the good job, praying for your success for the good of your family. Keep safe as well and the workers. Thanks for this informative video that full of inspiring and challenging workmanship. Looking forward for the future outcome of your generous labor.🙏
I love this series! The transformation from a forgotten place into your home is compelling!! Love it!!
That roof!!!! Soo much beauty!!
Holy Moly, you gained about 3k subs in just 2 days, UA-cam algo strike again for good content!
Keep us updated, this is realllly fascinating to watch!
I've just binge watched all your videos in one go, it's just like watching a tv serie that you like, you cannot stop!
And im back 6 hours later, you gained another 1k subs... what is going on :o
Lol, I know, it's crazy. Thanks for watching!
Knaar I definitely showed up in this channel through a random recommendation on my UA-cam homepage lol. Glad too, this is great.
@@TokyoLlama It has been a long time since I have found a channel I liked this much
UA-cam needs more content like this! Sensible, fun and well made.
Edit: I figure I should clarify by sensible I mean, you wouldn't act like a douchebag like Logan Paul + there's no silly drama with this channel. Just chill good content.
No need to knock down the shed if you know that a massive typhoon is coming... LOL
Hey Tokyo Llama! I just wanted you to know that I find your content original and creative! I can tell that you put a lot of time into your videos and I really appreciate it!
Thanks very much - appreciate the feedback, makes it all worthwhile. Yeah, I try to put a bit of my own angle on things, but probably overthink a lot of it!
@@TokyoLlama I agree, you do a wonderful job. Hope renovations go well. I'll be watching
I don't know why UA-cam recommended your video at first, but I'm so glad it did! I've watched all your videos and I find the whole process of moving and renovating your house to be fascinating! I love the community spirit - takes me back to my hometown in Malaysian Borneo. Keep it up, mudah-mudahan sukses!
That typoon protection system built into the house is brilliant. Probably good for the Zombie Apocalypse too.
As an American, watching the footage of driving through the town and countryside was really interesting. We drive on the right side of the road, so I was trying to consider things from the driver's perspective (right turns vs. left turns) and found it to be a fun mental challenge. I don't think I'm ready to take a driver's test in Japan yet! :) Great video.
Thanks, you'd get used to it quickly. I drove a lot in Europe and apart from one time almost entering the a motorway in the wrong direction, it was fine...
Funny. I was too. Didn’t realize they drive on the “wrong” side. Lol
13:15 Oohhh! That's what that small wooden structure on the left is for! I thought it looked a bit out of place (like something covering an AC which didn't make any sense on this building...) What a clever thing!
people in the US should copy that in their hurricane regions.
As a North Carolinian, I Agree!
...or for zombies #jusSayin
I am so grateful for the way you are documenting this house's story. For a person like me, with little to no knowledge of Japanese architecture and building techniques it is extremely interesting to see how it was designed with specific materials and specific climate in mind. And your close-ups showcasing the amazing craft that was put into this building are worth everything.
Really, you are doing a marvellous job of bringing this place back to its glory. Thank you so much for sharing this.
I am in awe of this house ... when you started getting those shutters out 😦 I was done. Japanese people have been too advanced for the longest. Just wowwwwwww wowwwww 👏🏽👏🏽
I had been wondering about the side bits on the house, they seemed too large for mere decoration - of course I know very little about Japanese architecture so I thought that's all they were. But I should have known better, nothing is ever that simple in Japan! Very cool design feature, to keep the panels hidden away like that! And I'm so glad your area wasn't hit so hard by the typhoon, good luck with more renovations as winter hits!
That storm shutter system is genius- I had been wondering what that construct on the corner was! When I lived in Germany, our building had external roller shutters over the windows which connected to a pulley system that you operated from the inside. Perfect for the summer, snow or the intense thunderstorms they get at times. I've often missed them since I moved back to the UK.
I liked it, too. It certainly was darker inside with the shutters in place.
I had wondered what they were too! From the outside, they reminded me of the latrines on the external walls of medieval castles! 🤣
Interesting typhoon counter measures.
Not much damage from the typhoon that's good, but I'm blown away by how much cleaner the place looks. 👍🏻
Edit: Those hornets look nasty.
Nice pun! Yeah, looking back at the old videos it has changed a lot. Our eaves are the perfect place for hornets nests, so need to keep an eye out before they grow too big.
That hornet's nest is a beautiful creation of nature, but it has to go. Once, at work 3 floors up (here in Sydney, Australia), there was a huge wasp's nest under construction. The windows were thick solid glass that couldn't be opened, so I enjoyed safely watching the progress of the nest being constructed.
this is a great series, good change of pace from the typical Tokyo or other big city jvloggers, look forward to seeing more videos, definitely subbing!!
Thanks very much!
For my personal taste and been in Japan for two weeks, this is for me the real Japan
Yeah this is more interesting to me. Tokyo city vloggers can be fun to watch occasionally but a lot don't really add anything to it. I miss Japan from my trip there so it's fun to watch sometimes for that reason, but yeah this channel has everything. It has the cultural stuff, beautiful rice paddies, the Japanese architecture, renovation, some dramatic effect like the Buddha haha.
This is the content I've been waiting for!
Also one other thing I dislike about foreigners making content in Japan is when they just blatantly get shit wrong because they didn't do their research or they speak with more authority on Japanese culture than they should. Tokyo Llama however doesn't pretend to be some expert on Japan and just shows rather than tells. Don't get me wrong, I am sure he knows a bit about the culture having a Japanese wife and having lived there for a bit. I just don't like foreigners on holiday in Japan briefly pretending they know EVERYTHING about Japan and it's culture haha.
the storm covers that just slide out like that are so clever oh my god. this house is work of art, which is strange and refreshing to see. ironic even, considering its age.
Loving the series. A suggestion: I once watched a youtube video about a tatami recycling/refreshing company. They can take old tatami and put new covers on them to make them good as new. I hope you'll do that rather than throw out the old tatami and buy new ones. I've been trying to find the video...but I couldn't find it.
I'll look into that. My wife is definitely keen to get new ones.
It's wonderful that you are renovating this beautiful place. I so envy you. I am an American (US), but adore Japanese culture and I collect Japanese art. It has been such a pleasure to follow you here on UA-cam. I really admire all the work and money you have invested in this lovely place! Thanks for sharing!
It never fails to get a torrential downpour when you're changing shingles or roof tiles!
Damn this videos are so damn relaxing, specially when you record your travel to shops and stuff.. you should keep doing that man.
Thanks! I showed my wife your comment. She said there was too much driving around.
@@TokyoLlama its purely aesthetic the country side. I live in Sendai, pretty much share the same vibe.
I’m way too impatient when is the next one? I can’t wait to see the finished product! The house has so much character I love it 😊
Working on it!
Agree! The house/property is beautiful. I can't wait till it's all finished.
Hi, impressed with the typhoon shutters.
There's so much trash I wouldn't sleep until i get rid of everything
I was wondering, after I saw so many TVs, if the neighbors hadn't perhaps taken advantage of the house being empty and used it as a free "tip".
Your home is going to be so beautiful when you finish. It's hard work to renovate an old house, but the satisfaction of having a unique home in the end makes it worth while.
Agreed.
I am just happy to see that the damage of the typhoon was not to hard. I was in Tokyo when Hagibis arrived, and I was concerned about flooding in your area.
Thanks very much, yeah, it was a relief that there wasn't more damage or any flooding in our area.
I was going to say, considering the house has been abandoned for so long, it could be in way worse shape. What if you looked at it after the typhoon? Without storm windows? Ouch!
I am so excited to see the end result!
Me too, should be finished by March next year!
I found the channel earlier this morning and watched the entire catalogue in a single sitting. Great videos and I'm eager to see how the house comes along. Is there any chance that you could include a blueprint or an overview to how the house is laid out?
Best of luck with the rest of the project!
Thanks very much for watching - appreciate it. I'll definitely include a blueprint, possibly in the next renovation video. In fact, I had done a video going through the blueprints for the house now and the renovation plans, though scrapped as it was too dry. But I've got some ideas from other channels on youtube on how to present in a more interesting way so I will give it another go.
@@TokyoLlama Was that a model of the house I saw inside after you put up the typhoon protection?
@@TokyoLlama Information about stuff like this won't be as dry as you think I suspect.
I have never been more fascinated with a home than now as I watch him move those shutter things. Genius.
what a good time got recommendation watching this in the middle of night
This has got to be the most cleanest tip I have ever seen. I can't believe it. The UK needs to see this.
It's wonderful to watch the restoration of this house. I am sure it appreciates all the love and thought going into it again.
The driving footage was very relaxing. I always like to see around the world this way. I would watch a whole series of just driving scenery.
Thanks very much. I put the driving in to give a bit of context to the location.
ua-cam.com/users/utitoyo here’s driving in japan footage 😊
@@lucasgt6440 Oh! thank you!
That's the cleanest recycling place I've ever seen!
holy F, an actual mazda cosmo in the wild !!! japan is unbelievable
Which, in good condition, would be worth more than they paid for their house...
My jaw dropped when I saw that. Hoping from it's position in the shop there that it's someone's active restoration project.
Thank you for the video, Thumbs up.
Its very I teresting seeing the different ways of doing things. In NZ you would have to have scaffolding for most of the work on the roof in this video, or be in a harness. And I think the digger would have to have to something like a forestry cage on it, bit don't quote me!
That being said, your carpenter certainly looks like he's spent years frolicking around on roof tops!
Yes, I was a little worried watching him - he was a specialist roof guy, probably about 70 years old, so certainly knew what he was doing. Wore special tight shoes. In regards to the digger. Japan is surprisingly quite relaxed in terms of regulation when it comes to some things.
Haha "bit", how fitting of you.
It’s so awesome how those coverings are built into the house for typhoon protection
This is like watching my favorite Japan tv show "before and after". Subscribed.
Thanks very much for subscribing. I think the show ended before I arrived but people have told me about it, and I've seen some clips on youtube. Heard they're starting it up again?
@@TokyoLlama thats great! The show is so inspiring, heartwarming, genius and somehow comfy.
@@TokyoLlama They said that they would stop it because worker are busy preparing olympics. It should start again after the Olympics.
@@TokyoLlama There are quite a lot of episodes floating around on youtube with different subs.
ua-cam.com/video/WYqGHsqE23k/v-deo.html this is an episode that had 140 yrs old house.
Quite excited to see how your house will turn out in the end.
What a jewel this house is! The traditional workmanship is amazing and cannot be duplicated, unless you pay a fortune...
Would love to see the printed plans for the property, where everything is/was and what changes you'll be making.
Ingenious! Your home is becoming a beautiful gem!
Looking great! Makes me tired just looking at all the work being done!!!!
Thanks very much! You're tired now, just wait till I put up the videos of me trying to level the ground!
Hey @Tokyo Llama! Much love for doing this - this is so interesting! Great videos and commentary!
Thanks !!! works coming along
Thank you - slowly but surely making progress.
Omg, can't wait for the next video, really stunning progress.
This house is beautiful. Keep up the good work :)
I am throughly enjoying your process of renovating your home. I especially like watching you drive around your home and seeing the neighborhood. The transformation has fun to watch. I cant wait for the next video.
your videos are great thax for the update seen all of your videos and they are great keep up the hard work :)
Thanks very much for watching. Appreciate your comments - makes the work to make these videos worthwhile.
I’ve been living in Ibaraki for a year and 8 months! It took me a while to get used to the narrow streets. And sometimes google maps will get you lost in the middle of someone’s farm. Awesome job on the house! Love these videos
The house looks shinier after the typhoon wow
I feel so invested in this remodeling, such a beautiful house!
Hi new to your channel, love what am seening so far. I always wanted to see more of Japan countryside.
Thanks very much for watching, glad you're enjoying it so far.
wow, there are so much work to do, can't to wait for next video
Thanks, a lot of work, but satisfying. Next video coming soon!
I'm glued give us more
More coming!
@@TokyoLlama hurry up I'm waiting LOL I actually do check to see whether or not you have an updated video. Thanks so much
Four years ago...We bought an old house too! After renovation, it’s a home we are proud of and we really love living in the Japanese countryside. Thanks for these videos. Great work! 👍
what a beautiful house with such a great roof. can`t wait to see more! great work! 頑張れ
Thanks very much!
2 things that wowed me:
1. The organization and technology of the garbage disposal and recycling process.
2. How the typhoon screens are built in. Such an elegant and efficient solution.
Just discovered this channel - keep up the good work, it's so much fun to see this happening!
Thank you, and thanks for watching.
This is the kind of content ive never really seen on youtube or even kneew I needed in my life! lol Im absolutely hooked to watching this process now!
Hi, my husband and i love your videos. How’s the renovation going?? We’d love to see more videos! Aloha🌺🌈
Just found your channel. What an amazing journey you’re in now and thank you for sharing it with us. Keep it coming!
Glad you made it through the typhoon ok :).
Those shutters are so amazing! Japanese design is so efficient and elegant. Can't believe it's designed so one person can shutter the whole house. In Florida we have our shutters bungee cord to a wall in the garage, it takes two guys to put them up.
Thanks! It is a little easier to do with two, especially as some of the shutters aren't as smooth as others, but it is surprising in how good condition they are after all these years.
@@TokyoLlama wow they came with the home?! They look so new! Do all homes in Japan usually come with shutters?
I see them quite a lot but they can be quite expensive I believe. Though with the number of strong typhoons recently I‘m sure they’ll gain in popularity.
Wow it’s coming along nicely! I’m so excited to see the renovations 😋
for a moment i thought u found a dead body wrapped in a blanket
Great series
That is Kwan Im Statue. She is a Loving goddes. She loves kids and family. Put Kwan Im inside the house. It’s okay
So, UA-cam suggested your channel to me and I've caught up watching all your videos. What a beautiful house and property! I love that your videos are so informative and yet you keep them brief. I'm very excited to keep watching to see what you all do with this house and property. Thank you for letting us tag along on your journey.
What material were the storm shutters made of? Brilliant idea, those.
I watched all the videos in a day, thank you for recording and documenting the renovation process! It's really fascinating. I look forward to the next video. :)
Looks like you didn't take too much damage from the Typhoon. I was worried when I saw this video in the list. Just binged all your videos and will be keeping an eye out for the rest of them. GL with the renovations. This gives me a good insight and hope that I can do something like this in the future.
Thanks very much, I was certainly concerned as we live near a river but the levees did their job. Glad the videos have been helpful, thanks for watching.
Your videos are very good. That is an amazing building and it's so wonderful to see it as it moves back to being a home. It has been very educational about a topic that is very hard to find information on. Can't wait to see the next part!
Thanks very much! Thanks for watching.
Wow that recycling plant was amazing, and the price to hire the little truck is very reasonable.
here in NZ we all have car trailers for carting stuff around but in all my trips in japan i have never seen one except for on farms. Shame to pull down sheds when you can never have enough shed space .
By the way the place where you got the truck looks to be doing a restoration on an early Mazda Cosmo id be very interested to know if it is for a customer or themselves. Keep up the good work on the house and videos.
Thanks, yes those trucks are very handy, was thinking about getting one myself. I'll ask about the Cosmo next time I'm there but that place both repairs and buys/sells cars at auction, so it could be either. I asked about the orange Hilux you can see there too, but it's only a single cab (I'm thinking to trade in my family Subaru for a twin cab Hilux as an alternative to getting a light truck).
The four solid minutes of highway footage was fascinating. I love how you stayed right behind the same car most of the way. Riveting stuff.
I think the house is absolutely beautiful and the Buddha you discovered looks to be very old and should go back into the house in a place of prominence since it belongs with the house. I think although it may have been an heirloom of the old family you purchased and by extension rescued the house. The statue is no different than if you bought it from an antique store. The statue is your family heirloom now.
Thanks for taking us along, I have just binged your whole channel and it has been very enjoyable
It’s coming along nicely. You should consider an Air BNB in the outbuildings. 👍
Thanks - I am considering doing something like that with the two story building next to the house. This area is a bit devoid of tourist attractions but there are nice cycling routes so might appeal in that way.
Can’t wait until your next instalment. Love what you are doing to restore this magnificent home.!!
paint the house Black with golden accent, plant some cherry trees and pink sakura in the front of the house, btw such a beautiful house you have, I can't wait until your next video
Actually we’re just discussing what colour to paint the house. I like the traditional black but not sure if would suit our place for some reason. At the moment thinking a dark brown stain. Already got the sakura planned for spring! Thanks, appreciate the comments!
@@TokyoLlama No please no color, just natural wood color. Well, just my opinion.
@@Spetsialista I'm considering this too - but keep in mind Japanese traditionally char or stain these types of buildings in persimmon juice mixed with bengara or soot to protect from rot and insects.
Buy a cheap, used pickup truck/equivalent. You will use it more than you expect. It makes things so much easier when you can just pick something up or drop something off without having to make prior arrangements. At the end of the project you can sell it if you don't need it any more. (But if you are gardening, raising chickens, etc., I expect you will always have a need for a beater truck.)
Thanks, looking into it now. One issue is that we already have two cars, so I’m looking at replacing one with a used Hilux. Hilux is the only locally sold pickup here even though the Japanese makers have them in overseas markets. You’re right, would definitely be more convenient than renting.
are you going to do a loft?
it would look really cool to put some warm white spot lights shining up onto the roof in the kitchen, would look really good at night in contrast to a modern island kitchen :)
Keep up the great videos!
That’s right, we’re doing a loft/mezzanine at the back where the old kitchen unit used to be. The plan is to have some spot lights too - you’re on the same wavelength as our architect.
What a beautiful house..I can't wait to see the progress ...
looks away for a second:
oh shit he´s going too fast on those roads.
"realizes the video is sped up"
🤦
I love the TV makers take back their TV's. That's brilliant!
You all tricked me. It was a body!
Love your series! Thanks for sharing the journey!
damn them cicadas be louder than your wood chipper
Another fun to watch video can't wait for the next video to come out
Thanks very much - I’ll try to release the next one soon.
Meanwhile in America after a storm: *Guess I'll build a new house* ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Different culture and mindsets.
The US started as a colony for people that wantedcto start over from scratch, no matter how hard it is. The growth was around that mentality of always be ready to start over, build newer and better.
Japan has a culture stretching thousands of years, a very closed one for the most part. Their view is usually around building stuff the proper way the first time and it isn't a "disposable is ok" mentality. They've also experienced earthquakes and typhoons during all those thousands of years so building for them is a must.
Sometimes it is beyond repair. Or the cost to repair is higher than replacing. Or in some cases they do not intend to stay there or unsure that this is where they will stay the rest of their life. I stay in a apartment and while I live in a desert I know I will not be staying for life. Life is not fair and neither is nature.
@@maryrichen7393 Well people could also just build better houses that you can resell for the same value after moving out. Basically what the rest of the world does... Then you wouldn't have to rebuild the house every now and then if you got unlucky with the weather xD
@@Kraechtshammer problem is most buy it after the fact it was built and sometimes funds are hard if they are building. Other than that is that a lot of people assume that the work will be done quality when in reality it is done cheap as possible and still legal. So they might not know that quality is bad. Yeah I am American but still human cheat each other and that is not something that is just limited to country. And yes I do realise some just do not care. Excuse me if I get confusing. Been up for 14 hours and still about 13 or so hours left til I can rest.
great videos, idk what else to say. Just happy to watch
Thanks for watching!
@@TokyoLlama absolutely, cant wait to see how the progress comes along. Good luck!
Confused me when you were driving. I was only thinking “he’s on the wrong side of the road.”
I just starting watching your videos and have become fascinated by many aspects of the house and your renovations. As a resident of the USA I can say I was shocked by the cleanliness of what you called "the tip". No dump would ever match that level of clean here.
Man things sure are diffrent in america u get paid to recycle your old tvs
Your vision for the house and garden has been incredible!