The My Village Project

Kominka Japan is proud to offer this ever-growing database of personal My Village profiles from members of our Kominka Japan Facebook page and elsewhere. The aim of this initiative is to contribute to the revitalization of rural villages across Japan and preserve its traditional minka.

Here you will be able to see profiles of villages created by the foreign residents and Japanese actually living there. These are their photos and comments. Users actively searching for minka and a village to live are welcome to contact our My Village volunteers by email – they will be happy to answer any additional questions you might have. In some cases, those seriously considering moving into one of our featured villages may be able to arrange an in-person meeting to discuss the specifics of that village in greater detail.

This is an entirely free-of-charge, volunteer-run service. Please keep in mind that My Village participants are not realtors or akiya bank representatives. They may be able to direct you to local empty-house programs or steer you toward available minka, but not always.

What they can provide is their invaluable personal experiences living in their adopted communities, point out its plusses and minuses, logistical matters, and offer suggestions should you decide that’s where you might want to live.

If you are already living in a minka in a rural area, and would like to let others know about your adopted community, please submit this form. For general information about the My Village program, write us at stuart4th@yahoo.com.