I am New Zealander who has lived in Japan for over 30 years. Japan, its cuisine, and people were so wonderful that one day, maybe after 10 years, I realised I was actually living here, and had no real wish to leave. Every morning I wake up early, exercise and then walk, with two Border Collies, up the river and into the slopes of Mt. Koshosan (where the “Hidden Fortress” at the root of the Star Wars fantasy can be found). I often have to pinch myself that it is all real. I hope to revive the local economy, bring new families and life back to Akizuki where the average age of its residents is around 70 years. I also hope to be able to show to visitors, inbound and domestic, the joy of life in this very special, beautiful rural environment. A place just 45 minutes from a major international airport but a million miles away.

A small renovated 2 bdrm house with rear wooden deck onto a beautiful Japanese garden. Inside; Japanese tatami room with 2 futons, main bdrm with double bed. Modern bathroom. Main dining and living space with open fully equipped kitchen; WiFi, 50 inch TV, cable has BBC and CNN; library of craft and art books; large collection of antique and vintage Japanese pottery and lacquer-ware. Walk everywhere in village.

The house is just off the Notori river that runs through Akizuki. Once here you can easily walk to everywhere in the village. Guides to Akizuki are in a folder. The house is alongside a hotaru (firefly) viewing river - season is late May through June. From dusk until about 9pm it can be a wonderland. Interestingly, Akizuki has no reticulated water supply (there is a black-water drainage system though) as it sits on one of Japans top mineral water aquifers. The house has its own mineral water bore. Enjoy water from the tap and have a mineral water shower. Once there you can easily walk to everything Akizuki has waiting for you. There are restaurants and cafes - details in the house information folder. How to get to Akizuki: trains and buses, and a combination of, from Fukuoka take about 100 minutes. (Google how to get to Akizuki from Fukuoka for suggestions) Driving, using the expressway, is easy and the most convenient and takes less than one hour.