Thanks for all the nice comments...
We've always managed to live in, or near the countryside. Closest "in town" was when we lived outside Tokyo in a place called Sagamiono. It was a 40 train ride to Shinjuku, not far from Stu. On week days, I switched there and go for another hour and 10 minute subway/bus ride to my office on an island in Tokyo Bay.
We will get a 40' container for household goods. They general cost the same whether they have one box in them or are full. I have to get a few quotes.
Actually...I had the exclusive contract to supply lard to Mickey D's for their french fries....
I should have sold that a few years ago.... My Bazillions just up and slipped away.....
I will build the shop if we decide to buy that house, or at the house we settle on. The rental house looks good, though.
Moving and living in a different country is....different. Exciting, educational, entertaining, frustrating....the who gamlet. But, I've lived there a total of 16 years so far, so I'm pretty used to it.
If I had to live "in town", I don't think I'd be able to cope long... Even where we are is wooded and a 15 minute drive to the "big city" of Redmond.
I already have a friend in the village...a guy from Idaho that has lived here for 17 years. He's a nice guy and has offered to help in any way he can. We also correspond via the internet, so I know the service is there. With the house so close to the village office, I'm sure the fastest service available, is right there.
If we do get the house, one of the first things is a new kitchen....
Typical "System Kitchen"...steel, white, stainless counter top, single propane burner...
That will be hard to get used to after our new kitchen here...
The area is noted for it's woodworking industry, especially wooden shoes (Geta) and wood for home building. They have had a hard time with the cheaper imported wood, so my construction costs might be somewhat reasonable, especially if I cut/plane/finish as much as I can myself. There might even be some good, used 'ol iron from local manufacturers available...
This is one of the 8 mat rooms in the house. There are two, with sliding panels dividing them along the beam in the pic. The bedding (futons) are for the exchange students that have been renting it.
There are also 7 hot springs within a 30 minute drive of the house. Lots to see and do, festivals etc. They have lots of people from overseas come to visit their advanced organic farms too. Plums are another famous crop there.
Kyushu has a lot of history. Although there were Feudal Lords that controlled areas and fought each other for power, the area of Hita had always been controlled by the Shogun in Edo (Tokyo). Wood was considered a valuable asset, as well as the craftsmen, and the stratigic position were all very important.
