The 3 Million Yen Farmhouse in Niigata

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We tour a 120-year-old kominka with a hand-cut hinoki frame, talk through the renovation budget line by line, and ask whether snow country is really for you.

Ep 24

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#kominka #niigata #renovation

Show notes

Arriving in Tōkamachi after a three-hour shinkansen ride
The hinoki post-and-beam frame and what makes it worth saving
Renovation budget walkthrough: ¥6M for a livable shell
Snow country logistics and the truth about kerosene heating
Listener Q&A: insurance, mortgages, and visa pathways

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Renovate or Rebuild? An Architect Weighs In

When is an old house worth saving and when should you start over? Architect Hana Mori joins us with the framework she uses with her clients.

Mar 17, 2026

49 min

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