Charm of Rural Life in Japan: A Visit to a 100-Year-Old House #228

Join me as I share my experience staying in a 100-year-old Japanese house(古民家 ko-minka). From DIY projects to farming and beekeeping, discover the unique aspects of rural life that are hard to find in the city. Perfect for those curious about the Japanese countryside and its hidden treasures!

Charm of Rural Life in Japan: A Visit to a 100-Year-Old House #228
Silver Penguin+ Members: Video Podcast and Japanese Transcripts (Furigana Included/Excluded)

単語 (Vocabulary)

田舎暮らし (いなかぐらし) - Rural life
築〇〇年 (ちく〇〇ねん) - Built 〇〇 years ago
古民家 (こみんか) - Traditional Japanese house
農作業 (のうさぎょう) - Farm work
養蜂 (ようほう) - Beekeeping
蜂 (はち) - Bee
飼う (かう) - To keep, To raise
畑 (はたけ) - Field
品種 (ひんしゅ) - Variety
巣箱 (すばこ) - Beehive
刺す (さす) - To sting
攻撃 (こうげき) - Attack
蜂蜜 (はちみつ) - Honey
植物園 (しょくぶつえん) - Botanical garden
草刈り (くさかり) - Grass cutting, Mowing
枝 (えだ) - Branch
ハマる (はまる) - To get into, To be hooked on
共存する (きょうぞんする) - To coexist
不便 (ふべん) - Inconvenience
世間体 (せけんてい) - Social appearance

会話の話題 (Conversation Topics)

田舎(いなか)()らし」に興味(きょうみ)がありますか?どんな体験(たいけん)をしてみたいですか?
Are you interested in rural life? What kind of experiences would you like to have?

DIYに挑戦(ちょうせん)したことがありますか?
Have you ever tried DIY projects?

農作業(のうさぎょう)経験(けいけん)したことはありますか?どんな作業(さぎょう)をしましたか?
Have you ever experienced farming work? What kind of tasks did you do?

養蜂(ようほう)」をしてみたいと(おも)いますか?
Would you like to try beekeeping?

自然(しぜん)(なか)()ごすことの魅力(みりょく)(なん)だと(おも)いますか?
What do you think is the appeal of spending time in nature?

(みな)さんが(おも)う「田舎(いなか)()らし」のメリットとデメリットは(なん)ですか?
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of rural life?

Delicious Japanese Potato Dishes

じゃがバター Japanese Buttered Potatoes:

"Jaga Butter" is a simple yet incredibly delicious Japanese dish. First, potatoes are steamed or boiled until tender. Then, hot potatoes are topped with butter, which melts and infuses them with rich flavor. For added taste, a dash of salt or soy sauce can be sprinkled on top. As the butter melts and seeps into the potatoes, it creates a wonderfully savory and satisfying dish.

Jaga Butter (Japanese Buttered Potatoes) - Umami Pot
The recipe for Jaga Butter, which features a delightful combination of fluffy potatoes and butter, can be made with just a few ingredients.

ポテトサラダ or ポテサラ Japanese Potato Salad:

Japanese potato salad is a creamy and slightly sweet dish. It starts with boiled and mashed potatoes as the base. Mayonnaise is mixed in, along with sliced cucumber, carrot, and onion. Sometimes, ham or boiled eggs are added for extra flavor and texture. Japanese potato salad has a unique taste that sets it apart from Western-style potato salads. It’s a popular dish in home cooking, often seen in bento boxes and at picnics.

Potato Salad Recipe – Japanese Cooking 101
Japanese potato salad with a lot of vegetables and Japanese mayonnaise

友達のチャンネルJapan Country Life - ALINCO channelをチェック!

Japan Country Life - ALINCO channel
Thanks for visiting our channel!😊 We’re here to share just a small part of our simple lifestyle in the countryside area in Japan. The end of summer 2020, my husband and I bought a Japanese style 100-year-old house! It’s in a rural area in Setouchi, west part of Japan. Really really old and has a bunch of problems... but the house looks very cool. So, we’ve started renovating and living in the countryside! instagram ▶ @alinco.life
Japan’s Akiya Phenomenon: Opportunities and Challenges #192
空き家への希望と課題について考えてみました。「衣食住」は生活について欠かせないものですよね。みなさんも一緒に考えてみましょう!Let’s think about the hopes and challenges related to Japanese vacant houses.

Related Posts

View the English summary of this episode

In this episode, I want to share my experience of "country life" that I had at my friend's house. This traditional Japanese house is over 100 years old. The term "over 100 years old" means the building has been standing for 100 years. It's a phrase often used for apartments and buildings, like saying, "This apartment is 10 years old."

A "kominka" refers to an old traditional house, and I had the chance to visit one. During my stay, I got to see and experience DIY projects, farm work, and beekeeping.

Firstly, I encountered many new terms. 'DIY' stands for 'Do It Yourself'. "Farm work" involves activities like growing vegetables and weeding. "Beekeeping" is about raising bees. My friend keeps bees, which isn't something you can easily experience in the city.

I live in Osaka, and my friend's house is about a 2-3 hour bus ride away. Their home, though old and run-down initially, has been beautifully renovated by my friend and her husband through daily DIY efforts. It's now so nice that it could be listed on Airbnb. My friend also runs a YouTube channel, and I've posted the link on my website for anyone interested.

Now, I'll share three experiences I had in the countryside:

  1. Potato Harvesting: I helped dig up potatoes, which were planted about three months ago. It was a fun experience, especially since city life rarely involves getting your hands dirty with soil. The process involved cutting the long green stems first and then digging out the potatoes. Seeing the results of just three months' growth was truly exciting. The variety we harvested is called "Dejima," known for making delicious potato salad and buttered potatoes. We even made fries right after harvesting, and they were amazing!
  2. Beekeeping: My friends keep Japanese honeybees, which are generally gentle unless provoked. This time, we expanded their hive by adding a new box. It was fascinating to see my friends in their beekeeping suits, managing bees during their work breaks. The honey, expected to be harvested in autumn, is something I'm looking forward to.
  3. Weed Cutting: For the first time, I experienced cutting weeds with large shears. It was so much fun that I didn't want to stop even as it got dark. This experience has made me keen on tidying up any unruly plants I see now.

Living in the countryside offers a refreshing change from city life. Despite the hard work involved in farming, beekeeping, and weeding, coexisting with nature was a unique and impactful experience. My friend's house, though in the countryside, is conveniently located with amenities like a convenience store within a 10-minute bike ride, and larger stores and public transportation options nearby.

While the countryside life offers tranquility and a closer connection with nature, I understand the challenges it poses, especially for someone considering moving there alone. However, for families or those looking for a slower pace of life, it can be very appealing. The sense of community and the blend of traditional and modern conveniences make it a viable option for many.

Do you have any experiences or thoughts about country living? What kind of rural experiences would you like to try?

Video Podcast and Japanese Transcripts (Furigana Included/Excluded)

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