In July 2021, shortly after moving from Tokyo to Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture, I explored all the real estate options in Hokuto City in search of a place to live. However, due to its popularity among newcomers, most of the second-hand properties had already been sold, and the few available were out of my budget. At that time, I had no friends or acquaintances in Hokuto City, so the only thing I could do was ride my bicycle around town to search for vacant houses. While navigating the hilly terrain of Hokuto City on my cross bike, I stumbled upon a solitary, single-story traditional farmhouse. This marked the beginning of my journey with “Private Guesthouse Yoga Reatreat ëighten.”
When I stood at that location, I envisioned my future life, saw a place where people would gather, and felt a deep desire to live here among the natural surroundings and the people who would come together. I decided to revive this place, making it open to everyone.
The farmhouse required significant renovations, but instead of leaving everything to the carpenters, we resolved to restore it as much as possible with our own hands. Although we were a completely inexperienced couple without even basic carpentry tools, we gradually learned more skills. With the support of volunteers from both Japan and abroad, step by step, the farmhouse began to revive and evolve.
After two years, I hope you can feel the energy of ëighten, filled with love, passion, and stories. I wish for ëighten to be a place that resonates with your heart—a home you always want to return to. I sincerely look forward to meeting all of you.
