Couple Renovates Japanese ‘Ghost’ House into Inviting Guesthouse

Billy ConleyOctober 16, 2024October 17, 202403 mins

Transforming Abandoned Homes: A Guesthouse Journey in Japan

Guesthouse vision: Daisuke Kajiyama and his late wife Hila convinced the owners of an abandoned Japanese house to let them turn it into a guesthouse.

<strong>'Akiya' house:</strong> While they were aware that they had a lot of work ahead of them, the couple were thrilled to be one step closer to having their own guesthouse. — **‘Akiya’ house:** While they were aware that they had a lot of work ahead of them, the couple were thrilled to be one step closer to having their own guesthouse.

<strong>Renovation process:</strong> Kajiyama took on much of the work on the guesthouse himself, replacing the floors and adding in a toilet, which he says was a wedding present from his parents. — **Renovation process:** Kajiyama took on much of the work on the guesthouse himself, replacing the floors and adding in a toilet, which he says was a wedding present from his parents.

<strong>Lengthy project:</strong> 'From my several years of backpacking I saw so many interesting buildings,' says Kajiyama, who had little renovation experience before taking the project on. 'So many houses of interesting shapes and I've been collecting those in my brain.' — **Lengthy project:** ‘From my several years of backpacking I saw so many interesting buildings,’ says Kajiyama, who had little renovation experience before taking the project on. ‘So many houses of interesting shapes and I’ve been collecting those in my brain.’

<strong>Complete makeover:</strong> Around two years after beginning work on the house, which has been named Yui Valley, they were able to welcome their first guests. — **Complete makeover:** Around two years after beginning work on the house, which has been named Yui Valley, they were able to welcome their first guests.

<strong>Dream realized:</strong> 'It was a beautiful feeling,' says Kajiyama. 'Of course, this was my dream. But people really appreciate that it [the house] was abandoned and I brought it back to life.' — **Dream realized:** ‘It was a beautiful feeling,’ says Kajiyama. ‘Of course, this was my dream. But people really appreciate that it [the house] was abandoned and I brought it back to life.’

<strong>Country retreat:</strong> Yui Valley has helped to bring many travelers to the village of Tamatori over the years. — **Country retreat:** Yui Valley has helped to bring many travelers to the village of Tamatori over the years.

The Impact of Yui Valley on Local Tourism

Consequently, the transformation of Yui Valley has not only rejuvenated an abandoned structure but also provided a unique attraction for visitors in Tamatori. This venture underscores the significant potential of restoring such buildings to enhance community tourism.