Is This The World's Most Unique Homestead?

This legendary homestead is one of the most unique and inspiring places I've been to. In 2006, Kenji and his wife Tomoko moved to this place in the Japanese countryside. They wanted to grow healthy food, build their own house, and live in tune with nature. Their permaculture homestead is famous across Japan and lots of people come here to stay in their guesthouse. That's me on the day of my visit. I asked Kenji to take me on a tour of the property and to share his and Tomoko's secrets to a good life. This large garden is one of the best I have ever seen. Tomoko often shows visitors around the garden to pass on her vast knowledge of plants, both edible and cultivated. The soil is incredibly rich and fertile. Kenji and Tomoko are 100% organic and follow a farming method called Japanese Natural Farming. Kenji and Tomoko live a simple yet fulfilling life. Their daily routine begins with meditation and yoga, which helps them start their day with intention and clarity. After that, they spend their time working in the garden and around the house. The homestead has several natural buildings that blend seamlessly with the surroundings. Kenji uses sustainable materials and traditional techniques to create structures that are both beautiful and functional. Tucked away on Kenji and Tomoko's homestead is a small but vital building - their seed bank. Here, they store and preserve the seeds of a wide variety of plants from vegetables and grains to medicinal herbs and flowers. From the get go, Kenji and Tomoko wanted as many people as possible to experience simple living and permaculture. That's why they run their homestead as a Guesthouse called Shanti Kuthi. The Guesthouse was built using donations from friends and well-wishers. Kenji and Tomoko embrace the Gift Economy in all aspects of their lives, including their finances. Ultimately, Kenji and Tomoko's homestead is built on the insight that connection, relationship and community are what we should really strive for in life. Kenji's ideas are deeply rooted in Japanese traditions and culture. The life he and Tomoko have built together takes inspiration from Mount Fuji, the iconic world-famous symbol of Japan

Channel: Growing Small

Views: 249,121

Keywords: Homesteading, Permaculture, Simple Living, Natural Building, Saving Seeds, Community, Gift Economy

Id: ce5gQov-UlU

Length: 10min 58sec (658 seconds)

Published: Thu Apr 06 2023