Visited a second-hand property in Japan

I have a fondness for traditional Japanese houses. The scent of tatami reminiscent of “grandma’s house,”

the engawa connecting the inside and outside, and features like shoji and fusuma doors, all embody the unique culture and art of Japan in everyday life.

Having married this year, my husband and I were searching for our future home in Yokohama.

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I want to live in a house with tatami mats!

In Yokohama, where the population is high, the cost of land is expensive, and the real estate value and purchasing ratio are high.

Therefore, our options were limited to newly built properties or second-hand ones.

I am not particularly attracted to the common newly built houses in Japan today. Modern homes often feature a uniform design focused on efficiently using limited space and cost reduction.

In other words, there is less incorporation of traditional Japanese architectural elements, and the trend is towards small, functional designs. For an article on the differences between modern and traditional Japanese homes, check here.

Initially, due to my husband’s preference for cleanliness, buying a second-hand property was not an option, and my dream of living in a traditionally Japanese house seemed unattainable.

Tatami Mats Transforming Western-style Rooms with Flooring into Japanese-style Rooms↓

Ikehiko ‘Vulcan’ – Comfortable Japanese Tatami Mat, Edo Size 3 Mats, Beige – Made in Japan

However, a strong candidate emerged among our options—a second-hand property. The house next to my husband’s parents’ home was up for sale.

From the outside, the property doesn’t seem large, but the construction of the building is solid. From a glimpse from my husband’s parents’ house, the room across the street looks like a lovely Japanese-style room.

(The inside of the lovely room⇩)

My wish to live in a house that incorporates traditional Japanese culture and my husband’s desire to live as close as possible to his parents’ home might finally align.

Linking the area from my husband’s parents’ house to this property we are going to view could create a beautiful garden.

It might be nice to decorate it with stones and bamboo, like a Japanese garden.

We promptly contacted a real estate agent to schedule a viewing of the house.

The house we viewed was built 35 years ago.

At the entrance stood a magnificent pine tree.

My husband and I, along with my husband’s parents who decided to join us on a whim, were there for the viewing.

Just two months into our marriage, without even having planned a wedding or honeymoon, I was hesitant about buying a house.

But the grand appearance of the house excited me.

If we bought this house, I could enjoy taking care of the pine tree and gardening in the subtle space around the house.

Plants that Exude Japanese Essence↓

Bonsai Myo Goyomatsu and Choujubai Pair Set

The viewing was arranged through a real estate agent, but the sellers, a family known to the neighbors, came all the way from Tokyo and Chiba to join us.

The real estate agent mentioned that it’s rare for sellers to directly participate in viewings.

Inside the house, belongings were scattered about, showing signs of life.

I love traditional furniture, vertical storage, and dishware, so it was nice to see how this lovely house had been used.

Before the agent started the room tour, the owners introduced themselves and shared memories of the house.

The grandmother who lived here was skilled in tea ceremony and calligraphy.

There were hanging scrolls that she had written, a tea ceremony room, and a garden with pine, plum, and bamboo trees.

Incidentally, the combination of pine, plum, and bamboo is a traditional motif symbolizing longevity, prosperity, and strength.

They even offered to give us the tea ceremony utensils, as they had no one else to pass them on to. Of course, we gladly accepted!

Experience the Essence of Japan – Try Making Tea

Fragrant Garden – Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony 6-Piece Matcha Set

Viewing a house while enjoying a conversation with the sellers is quite an experience (though it would have been a waste of time if the house hadn’t sparked our interest in buying it).

Post-Viewing Family Meeting

Given that the house was located in Yokohama, a city consistently ranked among the top places to live in Japan, we knew we needed to act quickly if we decided to purchase it.

My husband is the type to proceed with caution and certainty, so he had already been taking care of my mental well-being in anticipation of this decision.

To address my hesitation about buying the house, he discussed the benefits of living near his parents’ home, financial matters, and the possibility of renovating the house to align more closely with my preferences.

Essentially, both my husband and I had made up our minds to purchase the house even before we went to see it.

The main topic of our family discussion was financial. We deliberated over how much we could afford for the down payment and the extent of financial support we could expect from my husband’s parents.

Mental Burden of Buying a House

I had always imagined that buying a house would involve a wider range of choices, with both husband and wife making decisions on fair and equal terms.

However, the reality was different.

We were limited to a specific area, faced significantly higher land prices compared to other areas, and had financial constraints.

The mere desire to live in Yokohama didn’t seem fair to me.

Despite my growing dissatisfaction, I convinced myself that this house was probably the best fit for my needs.

So, in a whirlwind of events, alongside my husband’s family – an organization to which I alone had no blood ties – I proceeded with the biggest purchase of my life at breakneck speed.

Will we end up buying this house we viewed?

Stay tuned to my blog for future updates!

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