She fell for traditional Japanese homes on a high school trip and bought one at 24

A Journey to a Traditional Japanese Home

Coline Aguirre, at the age of 24, made a bold decision that would change her life forever. She purchased a traditional house in the Japanese countryside and moved there alone to restore it and start her own real-estate consultancy. For Aguirre, this was more than just a home—it was the realization of a dream she had nurtured for years.

Her journey began during a high school exchange program in Japan over a decade ago. Born in Paris but having lived in various places as a child, Aguirre spent a year studying in Kanagawa, a prefecture about 40 miles outside Tokyo. During a visit to her host family’s grandparents in the countryside, she discovered a traditional Japanese house built in the 1970s, featuring elegant wooden beams and beautiful tatami rooms. It was the first time she had slept on tatami, and she fell in love instantly. That moment sparked a deep desire to own a traditional house in Japan.

Fast forward to 2021, when Aguirre was back in France working as a freelance photographer. She and her mother often browsed real-estate websites, dreaming of homes they could never afford. While exploring the real estate market in Japan, she noticed how much cheaper properties were compared to those in France. In France, a countryside home could cost around 200,000 euros, while some houses in rural Japan could be bought for as little as $500. This contrast made her think about the possibilities.

Aguirre started searching for a "kominka," or farmhouse, in the Japanese countryside. Her criteria were specific: she wanted a large property with enough space for a photo studio and an old house built with materials meant to last. “My criteria was like, a hundred years old, minimum,” she said.

She found the perfect property in Uda, a small town about 50 miles south of Kyoto. The two-story house was 3,200 square feet, with an inner garden, two bathrooms, two kitchens, and multiple bedrooms. It was also a 15-minute drive from the train station and about an hour and a half from the ocean. With the help of a consultant who sent her a 20-minute video tour, she bought the house remotely without seeing it in person.

In 2022, Aguirre paid about 4.9 million Japanese yen for the property and achieved her dream of buying a traditional house in the Japanese countryside. Her husband, who is in the French Army, knew about her plan since they first got together eight years ago. “From the moment we started dating, I already told him I'm going to be a house owner in Japan one day. And it eventually happened,” she said.

She officially moved to Japan alone later that year. “I had no plan. I was just trusting the universe,” she said. Her parents were supportive, as her father had worked in Tokyo and her mother had visited Japan multiple times on vacation. Growing up, she was used to her parents buying and fixing up old houses in France. “I had no perception of what was scary or not. We've been doing that so many times, it just felt normal for me to buy a house.”

Restoring the House

Aguirre's house sits on a street where the old market used to be. The area reminded her of Kyoto, with its shops and old houses. When the house was first built in the 1920s, the front section facing the street served as a soy sauce shop. Before Aguirre bought it, the previous owners had used it as a summer home.

In terms of restoration, Aguirre has tried to keep as much of the original structure as possible. The main changes she has made include removing the septic tank and connecting the property to the public sewage system. She hasn’t destroyed much besides the additions made during the 1970s. There is still plenty to do, including remodeling the kitchen and removing the fake ceilings on the second floor. Considering the size of the property, it has been a slow process.

“I try to do all the DIY I possibly can,” Aguirre said. Local contractors were often more accustomed to working on newer homes with modern materials like plastic insulation, which wasn't what she envisioned for her space. She learned DIY skills such as making tiles and waterproofing the shower, enjoying the process and power tools.

Living the Dream

Aguirre is part of a growing wave of foreigners relocating to Japan. The number of foreign residents reached a record high in 2024, with many drawn to Japan’s safety standards and affordability. Others are interested in renovating one of the country’s 8 million abandoned homes.

While the experience has been rewarding, Aguirre says the hardest part was staying focused on her goals. “It is super challenging to own that kind of big house that needs constant attention, while also starting a business from zero in a new country with a new language,” she said. She hopes to improve her Japanese language skills, but hasn’t found the time to take lessons yet.

Most of her neighbors are between 50 and 90 years old, and many have lived in the area for decades. Despite the challenges, meeting new people hasn’t been difficult. A fairly large group of foreigners, mostly from the US and the UK, live in Uda. “When you go grocery shopping and you see someone else who is a foreigner, you basically go and talk to them because it's so rare,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre lives in her house full-time, and her husband visits whenever he can. Regarding their long-distance relationship, she said, “It's challenging, but I mean, he said yes eight years ago.”

Looking back on her journey, Aguirre says it feels like she's only begun to scratch the surface. “Three years is just a trial,” she said. “Sometimes, you'll need to wait for the thrill of the move to die down before you know if it's really for you.” She knows she made the right choice and hopes to continue growing her real estate business and connect traditional Japanese homes with buyers seeking spaces for their creative projects.

“It still feels like a dream,” Aguirre said. “I just added more layers to my dream.”