From City Life to Rural Bliss: One Couple’s Journey to Building a Homestead in Japan
In 2021, my husband Evan and I made the bold decision to leave our urban life in Louisiana behind and embark on a journey to build a more self-sufficient existence. We had spent five years teaching ourselves how to garden, keep honeybees, and raise chickens, but we wanted more. The high cost of living in the United States made it impossible for us to achieve our dreams, so we set our sights on other countries.
Discovering Ōmishima Island
Evan’s language skills in Spanish and Japanese narrowed down our search, and we eventually found ourselves drawn to Japan’s countryside. After 15 months of traveling through Mexico as full-time house- and pet-sitters, we arrived on Ōmishima Island at the beginning of 2023. The island’s rural charm and natural beauty captivated us, and we knew we had found our new home.
Restoring a Traditional Japanese Home
We purchased a traditional Japanese home, built in 1953, which had been abandoned for 10 years. The property, now known as Benton Guesthouse, required significant restoration work, but we were determined to bring it back to its former glory. With the help of local contractors, we completed the renovations in under six months, staying within our budget of $29,000.
Building a Sustainable Business
Our goal was to create a sustainable business that would allow us to live off the land. We started with 10 honeybee colonies and plan to increase our apiary each year. We also sell tomatoes, tomatillos, and hot peppers at local farmer’s markets, with plans to produce hot sauce and salsa in the future. Our guesthouse, which we rent out to travelers, provides a steady income stream, and we’ve maintained a near 5-star rating since opening our doors in November 2023.
Embracing a Simpler Way of Life
Our decision to leave the city behind has been the best we ever made. We’ve traded in the hustle and bustle of urban life for a simpler, more peaceful existence. Our days are filled with tending to our garden, caring for our animals, and enjoying the beauty of nature. We’ve learned to appreciate the small things in life and have discovered a sense of community and belonging on Ōmishima Island.
Sharing Our Journey
We’re passionate about sharing our experiences with others and have been documenting our journey on our YouTube channel and blog. We hope to inspire others to take the leap and pursue their own dreams of building a more self-sufficient lifestyle. For us, there’s no turning back – we’ve found our little slice of heaven on Ōmishima Island, and we couldn’t be happier.
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