Bringing New Life to a Mountain Village in Japan
Welcome to Kominka TV, a rural restoration project in Tokamachi, Niigata, Japan.
In a small mountain hamlet with only a few households, we are restoring a traditional Japanese home more than 120 years old and a second house around 90–100 years old.
A kominka is a traditional Japanese house. For us, restoring these homes also means caring for the surrounding land, preserving local knowledge, and creating opportunities for people to meet.
From a village facing depopulation, we hope to share a future full of possibility.
What We Are Working Towards
Our plans include:
- A kominka café where people can enjoy local food, conversation, and views of a koi pond.
- A small farm stay in the second house, offering a chance to experience rural life.
- The restoration of overgrown rice terraces through ongoing care and seasonal farming activities.
- A water-lily pond with space for a small campervan park.
- A viewing deck around a large zelkova tree.
- A small hillside monorail for enjoying the surrounding landscape.
These are projects at different stages of planning and preparation. Facilities and visitor programmes are not yet open for bookings. Each proposal will depend on funding, site conditions, safety assessments, and any necessary approvals.
Come to Learn, Share, and Take Part
We want to welcome visitors as people who are curious about local culture and willing to share their own.
Working together, preparing a meal, and talking over tea can create connections that sightseeing alone may not offer.
Our aim is to bring local residents and visitors together in small groups, with respect for the everyday life of the village. Visitors from both Japan and overseas are welcome to express an interest.
Discover Niigata’s Nishikigoi Culture
Nishikigoi, the colourful ornamental carp often known simply as koi, are an important part of Niigata’s cultural heritage.
We are developing experiences that connect learning about koi with caring for them:
- Feeding and observing koi at the kominka pond.
- Learning about pond maintenance and helping with suitable cleaning tasks.
- Visiting Nishikigoi no Sato in Ojiya to learn about koi varieties and history.
- Exploring possible visits to koi breeders in the Ojiya and Yamakoshi areas.
- Considering visits to koi auctions or shows when organisers permit visitors.
Visits to outside facilities, breeders, and events will require advance arrangements. No partnerships or access arrangements are confirmed at this stage.
We hope visitors will discover the patience, skill, and daily care behind these beautiful fish.
From the Garden to the Table
We plan to offer opportunities to harvest vegetables, prepare food together, and share a meal.
Local dishes can introduce visitors to life in Niigata. We would also love visitors to share recipes and stories from their own countries.
Over time, we hope to connect these experiences with rice planting, seasonal fieldwork, and harvesting in the restored terraces.
Experience Life in Snow Country
Winter is a defining part of life here.
Planned activities include preparing firewood and helping clear snow at ground level, followed by time together around a wood-burning stove.
Tasks will be chosen according to participants’ abilities, experience, and conditions on the day.
Lend a Hand and Enjoy Stay Benefits
Once the farm stay opens, we hope to offer accommodation discounts or other benefits to visitors who help care for the village.
Possible activities include stacking and carrying firewood, tending the garden, caring for the koi pond, and helping with seasonal outdoor tasks.
Participation will be optional. Activities and any associated benefits will be agreed in advance.
This scheme is still being developed. Accommodation availability, eligibility, and the terms of any discounts will be announced when the arrangements are ready.
Respect for Village Life
This is a living community, and residents’ privacy and wishes come first.
We plan to keep groups small and explain local expectations before each visit, including asking permission before photographing people or entering private property.
We can communicate in Japanese, English, and Korean to help visitors and residents understand one another.
Our goal is a place people will want to return to, where both guests and hosts feel comfortable and valued.
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Support the Project
We welcome support from individuals, businesses, and organisations that share our interest in traditional homes, rural communities, and the surrounding environment.
Ways to help include:
- Building materials, tools, and equipment.
- Construction skills and technical advice.
- Insulation, underfloor heating, and wood-stove solutions.
- Expertise in wells, water sources, and water systems.
- Help caring for fields, paths, ponds, and woodland.
- Financial sponsorship and proposals for collaboration.
With prior agreement, we can introduce participating businesses and show how their products or expertise contribute to the project through Kominka TV videos and website updates.
We can also discuss company names, logos, and links to official websites. The format, timing, and terms of each collaboration will be agreed together in advance.
Follow Our Progress
We share the practical work, challenges, and changes of rural life on our YouTube channel, Kominka TV.
Get in Touch
Interested in a future experience, volunteering, or supporting the project? We would be happy to hear from you.
For visitor enquiries, please tell us:
- Which activities interest you.
- Your preferred dates and group size.
- Your preferred language.
For business enquiries, please include your company name and the type of support or collaboration you have in mind.
You are welcome to write in English, Japanese, or Korean.
Visitor experiences and accommodation are currently in planning and preparation. We welcome enquiries and expressions of interest, but are not yet accepting bookings.