{"id":110364,"date":"2025-12-29T06:56:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T21:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/?p=110364"},"modified":"2025-12-29T07:04:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T22:04:05","slug":"one-japan-47-neighborhoods-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/en\/one-japan-47-neighborhoods-16\/","title":{"rendered":"A \u201cgood enough\u201d house was the goal.&lt;br>A life that feels just right was the reward."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/diZI8lAGGU4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/010-251206-_R5B6339.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/010-251206-_R5B6339.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/010-251206-_R5B6339-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/010-251206-_R5B6339-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/010-251206-_R5B6339-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/030-251206-DJI_20251206133132_0150_D.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/030-251206-DJI_20251206133132_0150_D.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/030-251206-DJI_20251206133132_0150_D-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/030-251206-DJI_20251206133132_0150_D-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/030-251206-DJI_20251206133132_0150_D-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>About an hour and twenty minutes by car from central Tokyo, the landscape softens. Mountain cradled basins open onto rice fields and chestnut groves. We\u2019re headed for Kasama in Ibaraki, known nationwide for its pottery. Nearing town, thin plumes of smoke drift up from the plentiful kiln chimneys<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Joining PAPERSKY editor in chief Lucas on the trip is Hirotsugu Konno, who works in community development in Ibaraki. What kind of home, and way of living, have the Kawanuma couple built in the place where they were born and raised?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Visitor \/ Lucas B.B. (Editor in Chief, PAPERSKY)<br>Visitor \/ Hirotsugu Konno (Director, Kasumigaura FC, an Ibaraki based community development company)<br>Host \/ Kenichi Kawanuma, Mitsuko Kawanuma (Kasama City, Ibaraki. Owners of a BESS home, G-LOG Natsu)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/020-251206-_R5B6538-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/020-251206-_R5B6538-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/020-251206-_R5B6538-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/020-251206-_R5B6538-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/020-251206-_R5B6538.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>1. <strong>A BESS home that popped up in a casual search<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br>Kasama, where the Kawanumas live, sits right in the heart of Ibaraki. It\u2019s a gentle mix of farmland and satoyama hills, rural without feeling remote, urban without the rush. Known as the gateway town to Kasama Inari Shrine and a center of Kasama ware pottery, it draws plenty of visitors too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nature and history are close at hand, yet daily life is easy, with shopping centers and cultural facilities nearby. That balance has made Kasama an appealing place to settle in recent years. The Kawanumas\u2019 BESS home fits neatly into this quiet landscape, present without standing out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: As we drove in, I was wondering where the house might be, and then I spotted that distinctive triangular roof. I knew right away. There\u2019s nothing built around it either. It\u2019s such a great spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi Kawanuma (Kenichi): \u201cThanks! Yes, that triangular roof really sold us. That\u2019s exactly why we chose the G-LOG Natsu.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hirotsugu Konno (Konno): \u201cIt really suits the landscape, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cWhat made you opt for this model?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/055-251206-_R5B6438.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/055-251206-_R5B6438.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/055-251206-_R5B6438-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/055-251206-_R5B6438-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/055-251206-_R5B6438-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cThe two of us once lived in a decidedly unremarkable house. But for retirement, we decided we wanted to move closer to the mountains and live in a place that feels more like a cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cBut you haven\u2019t retired yet, right?\u201d (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cThat\u2019s right\u201d (laughs.) \u201cI kept quietly thinking about what kind of house would suit us, and over time I realized that \u2018good enough\u2019 or \u2018just right\u2019 was what we wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cThat notion of \u2018good enough\u2019 is interesting. I totally get it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/106-251206-_R5A7240.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/106-251206-_R5A7240.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/106-251206-_R5A7240-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/106-251206-_R5A7240-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/106-251206-_R5A7240-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cSo I searched online for \u2018a good enough house,\u2019 and BESS\u2019s Hodohodo no Ie popped up by chance\u201d (laughs.) \u201cIt literally means \u2018moderate house,\u2019 but in the promotion they added the reading sokosoko, which means \u2018just enough.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: So that\u2019s how you discovered BESS?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cExactly. I didn\u2019t really know the brand before, but when I looked at their website, I thought,\u2018BESS feels nice. Log houses look pretty great.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitsuko Kawanuma (hereafter, Mitsuko): \u201cAround that time, there was a BESS LOGWAY near the house we were living in, and my husband suggested we go and take a look.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/061-251206-_R5B6459-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/061-251206-_R5B6459-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/061-251206-_R5B6459-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/061-251206-_R5B6459-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/061-251206-_R5B6459.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cAfter that, we kept going back to LOGWAY and really learned what log houses are all about. At that point, choosing a BESS home was already decided. At first, we were set on the \u2018Country Log,\u2019 but it didn\u2019t have a big window on the second floor. That\u2019s when we started looking at the \u2018G-LOG.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cSo the windows were the deciding factor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cOnce we settled on this land, we realized we could see incredibly beautiful autumn foliage right from the house. That made us really want a big window to take in that view.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitsuko: \u201cI left most of it to my husband, but I loved the spacious, veranda-like area on the second floor called the NIDO. That\u2019s why I felt G-LOG was the right choice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/152-251206-_R5B6688-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/152-251206-_R5B6688-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/152-251206-_R5B6688-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/152-251206-_R5B6688-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/152-251206-_R5B6688.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cBut living in a mountain cabin was something you planned for after retirement, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitsuko: \u201cI\u2019m the type who\u2019s happy keeping things as they are, so I was perfectly content with our old house. But once my husband discovered BESS, he suddenly started showing me BESS videos on his phone. Over and over. I finally said, \u2018Fine, we can at least visit LOGWAY,\u2019 and before I knew it, we were having this house built.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cIt\u2019s like we moved our plans up by about 30 years,\u201d he laughs. \u201cWhat really tipped things forward was watching BESS\u2019s promotional videos.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cSo what part of \u2018about right\u2019 was it that appealed to you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/144-251206-_R5A7220-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/144-251206-_R5A7220-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/144-251206-_R5A7220-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/144-251206-_R5A7220-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/144-251206-_R5A7220.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cWe both love hiking, so we\u2019re often staying in mountain huts. Japanese mountain huts feel \u2018just enough,\u2019 don\u2019t they? They\u2019re practical, but never fancy. Since this is a home we live in every day, we didn\u2019t want anything overly convenient or excessive. We wanted something pared back, about right. But for a long time, we had no idea how to make that happen. Should we ask a carpenter directly? Would a regular home builder even do that? And that\u2019s when we thought, okay, let\u2019s take our search online.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cSo if you hadn\u2019t stumbled across \u2018Hodohodo no Ie,\u2019 you probably wouldn\u2019t be living in this house now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cExactly. It was almost purely by chance.\u201d\u300d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/042-251206-_R5B6650-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/042-251206-_R5B6650-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/042-251206-_R5B6650-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/042-251206-_R5B6650-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/042-251206-_R5B6650.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>2. Savoring the Beauty of Wood Every Day<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br>The Kawanumas stumbled across BESS almost by chance. Looking around their home, everything is neatly arranged, almost like a LOGWAY model. Are they just naturally tidy, or fans of minimalism? We asked the couple about the principles that guide their daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/074-251206-_R5B6522-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/074-251206-_R5B6522-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/074-251206-_R5B6522-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/074-251206-_R5B6522-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/074-251206-_R5B6522.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cMitsuko, did you have any strong feelings about wanting a log house or not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitsuko: \u201cYeah, my husband kind of jumped ahead, so I just decided to leave it to him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cReally? I actually had to put in a lot of effort to convince her. I\u2019m into model kits, so I made a tiny BESS house out of things like chopsticks, almost like building a diorama. I used it to show her the kind of house and lifestyle we could have. It was a lot of work, I\u2019ll tell you that (laughs).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitsuko: \u201cBut after visiting all the different house types at LOGWAY, I was the one who made the final call. I loved how sunlight fills the house and creates such a bright, welcoming atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cYou notice it once you live here, but wooden houses reflect light, so they feel really bright. That\u2019s why we try to keep as few things inside as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/111-251206-_R5A7257.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/111-251206-_R5A7257.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/111-251206-_R5A7257-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/111-251206-_R5A7257-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/111-251206-_R5A7257-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cYou mean you try not to clutter the place?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cLiving here, the first thing I noticed is how strong a visual presence the wood grain has. It\u2019s beautiful, but if you let too many things pile up, the patterns clash with your stuff and it starts to feel noisy. I want to enjoy the wood grain on its own, so keeping things minimal really lets it shine. Neither of us are the type to accumulate lots of stuff anyway, but now we think carefully about what goes in each room. That way, the space just feels really comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cIt\u2019s great to see you really enjoying the wooden house to the fullest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cSeriously, not only is there so little clutter, but the chairs and tables you do have are really well chosen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cWe pay attention to the colors of the things we put in each room, trying to keep them as coordinated as possible. Also, if you already have a bunch of chairs, buying another one doesn\u2019t really stand out. So we carefully choose items we really love and give them a special spot. Keeping that in mind naturally keeps the rooms simple and uncluttered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/128-251206-_R5B6669.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/128-251206-_R5B6669.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/128-251206-_R5B6669-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/128-251206-_R5B6669-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/128-251206-_R5B6669-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cEven so, wooden houses have such a warmth to them, and this one really lets you feel it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cIt\u2019s not so much physically warm as it just feels cozy and gentle. You don\u2019t hurt yourself if you trip, and if you drop something, it might dent a little\u2014which I actually like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitsuko: \u201cEven scratches on the floor or honestly even a bit of dust don\u2019t bother me. With perfectly polished flooring, even a little dust stands out, right? But in this house, it feels like we don\u2019t have to clean obsessively every day (laughs).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/101-251206-_R5A7245.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/101-251206-_R5A7245.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/101-251206-_R5A7245-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/101-251206-_R5A7245-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/101-251206-_R5A7245-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cOf course, we still clean!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cEverything in moderation (laughs).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cHave you done any DIY around the house?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cWe moved just before COVID hit, so as soon as we started living here, we were working from home. That gave me the chance to make tables, hammer nails into the walls..basically find little projects I could enjoy entirely inside the house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cMitsuko, after moving here, did you start anything new?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitsuko: \u201cYeah, I\u2019ve started a bit of gardening, making plum wine, drying daikon. I guess I\u2019m slowly trying things I never really did before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cPeople who live in a BESS house seem to start turning their hands to all kinds of new things. Maybe the house inspires that. Collecting and chopping firewood for the stove is one of the new things you\u2019ve taken up too, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/023-251206-_R5B6546-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/023-251206-_R5B6546-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/023-251206-_R5B6546-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/023-251206-_R5B6546-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/023-251206-_R5B6546.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cWe get firewood from neighbors and split some ourselves. But when we run low, we usually just buy more instead of pushing ourselves to collect it. I don\u2019t like overdoing things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cSee, everything in moderation again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cYeah, maybe so (laughs).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/182-251206-_R5B6769-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/182-251206-_R5B6769-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/182-251206-_R5B6769-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/182-251206-_R5B6769-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/182-251206-_R5B6769.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>3. \u201cG-LOG\u201d as Our Ideal Tool<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br>Konno-san brought out some snacks to everyone\u2019s delight. The baked lotus\u2011root treats, called \u201cHobiki Renkon Monogatari,\u201d were inspired by the sails of Kasumigaura\u2019s traditional sailboats, where his company is based. As we enjoyed these unique, almond-packed sabl\u00e9s, the conversation turned to life in Ibaraki and community development, where the Kawanumas live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/086-251206-_R5B6611-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110383\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/086-251206-_R5B6611-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/086-251206-_R5B6611-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/086-251206-_R5B6611-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/086-251206-_R5B6611.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cKonno-san, you do community development based around Kasumigaura in Ibaraki, but what kind of place do you think Kasama is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/065-251206-_R5B6482-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/065-251206-_R5B6482-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/065-251206-_R5B6482-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/065-251206-_R5B6482-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/065-251206-_R5B6482.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cIbaraki is really a great place to live. I\u2019m originally from Yamagata, so I had no prior connection to Ibaraki, but I was drawn here by the local landscape and atmosphere. That said, if you want to attract people through tourism, there aren\u2019t many obvious draws. Kasama, on the other hand, has clear attractions. Like its nationally-known Kasama pottery and the fact that it\u2019s the top producer of chestnuts in Japan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cDelicious. And this lotus root?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cYes, Ibaraki Prefecture is also the top producer of lotus root in Japan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cThose kinds of attractions are important, but really, what makes an area appealing is its streets and scenery, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cI completely agree. Our neighborhood is on a popular walking route, so both locals and tourists pass by often. That means they\u2019ll notice our house. With that in mind, I wanted a home that could, even in a small way, help bring some energy to the area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cIt\u2019s very admirable to think about how it fits into the scenery and not just your own lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/028-251206-DJI_20251206132415_0143_D.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110385\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/028-251206-DJI_20251206132415_0143_D.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/028-251206-DJI_20251206132415_0143_D-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/028-251206-DJI_20251206132415_0143_D-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/028-251206-DJI_20251206132415_0143_D-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cI imagined this triangular roof brightening up the surroundings, giving the area a bit of energy. I feel like we\u2019ve realized our goal of building a symbolic house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cIf everyone building a new house keeps the scenery in mind like that, the whole area just becomes more pleasant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cI hope it becomes a place that makes people enjoy walking around. When someone does something like that, it often inspires the neighbors too, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cSo you\u2019re 100% satisfied with everything, the interior, the exterior, and how it fits into the surroundings?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cYes, exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/156-251206-_R5A7269-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/156-251206-_R5A7269-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/156-251206-_R5A7269-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/156-251206-_R5A7269-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/156-251206-_R5A7269.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cAnd the view from the big windows is the best part?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cAbsolutely, it\u2019s just how I imagined. Living here made me notice how amazing the mornings are. On days off, I get up early to do some gardening or cleaning, and the morning scenery is incredible. Overnight, the plants absorb water, and by morning it evaporates all at once, sometimes leaving the area almost white, and then the light hits it. Being able to see that view is just the best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cOne last question\u2014we always ask, \u2018What does home mean to you?\u2019 I\u2019ve answered this a few times myself: it\u2019s a place where I can nap comfortably. How about you, Konno-san?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Konno: \u201cFor me, it\u2019s a place that makes me feel at ease. When my family is smiling, I feel secure. That\u2019s what home means to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cAnd you, Kawanuma-san?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mitsuko: \u201cIt\u2019s hard to put into words, but if I had to, I\u2019d say it\u2019s a \u2018foundation.\u2019 A place I can always return to. The base for resting, eating, all of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/087-251206-_R5B6613-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/087-251206-_R5B6613-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/087-251206-_R5B6613-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/087-251206-_R5B6613-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/087-251206-_R5B6613.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kenichi: \u201cHmm\u2026 the word that comes to mind is \u2018tool.\u2019 A house is a tool for living, and like any tool, it needs care. BESS homes leave just the right amount of blank canvas, so even someone amateur like can maintain it easily. As you make adjustments and put your own ideas into the house, your attachment grows and new ideas for it emerge. Yes, it really is a tool, and I love this one as my tool.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucas: \u201cI like that word, \u2018tool.\u2019 Keep treasuring it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"last\">Kenichi: \u201cYes, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/108-251206-_R5A7250-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/108-251206-_R5A7250-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/108-251206-_R5A7250-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/108-251206-_R5A7250-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/108-251206-_R5A7250.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/163-251206-_R5A7293-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/163-251206-_R5A7293-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/163-251206-_R5A7293-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/163-251206-_R5A7293-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/163-251206-_R5A7293.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/121-251206-_R5A7191-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/121-251206-_R5A7191-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/121-251206-_R5A7191-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/121-251206-_R5A7191-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/121-251206-_R5A7191.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/041-251206-_R5B6649-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/041-251206-_R5B6649-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/041-251206-_R5B6649-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/041-251206-_R5B6649-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/041-251206-_R5B6649.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/187-251206-_R5B6798-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-110391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/187-251206-_R5B6798-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/187-251206-_R5B6798-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/187-251206-_R5B6798-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/papersky.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/187-251206-_R5B6798.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>BESS home<\/strong><\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bess.jp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.bess.jp<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Each region in Japan has its own appeal and originality, and by linking up with and influencing other regions, each has fostered a unique culture. One Japan ~ 47 Neighborhoods is a story of BESS and PAPERSKY\u2019S quest to uncover creative and wholesome lifestyles that can be lived in various parts of the Japanese archipelago. For the 16th edition, we visit a couple living in Kasama, Ibaraki. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":110529,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[119,117],"tags":[3005,3006,9490,9489,8579,8525,3007,3009],"place":[216],"writer":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-110364","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-local-guides-en","8":"category-culture-en","9":"tag-bess-en","11":"tag-g-log-natsu","12":"tag-g-log--en","13":"tag-one-japan-47-neighborhoods-en","14":"tag-one-japan-47-neighborhoods-2","15":"tag--en","17":"place-ibaraki-en"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>BESS \u00d7 PAPERSKY A \u201cgood enough\u201d house was the goal.&lt;br&gt;A life that feels just right was the reward. - PAPERSKY<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Each region in Japan has its own appeal and originality, and by linking up with and influencing other regions, each has fostered a unique culture. One Japan ~ 47 Neighborhoods is a story of BESS and PAPERSKY\u2019S quest to uncover creative and wholesome lifestyles that can be lived in various parts of the Japanese archipelago. For the 16th edition, we visit a couple living in Kasama, Ibaraki.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/papersky.jp\/en\/one-japan-47-neighborhoods-16\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"BESS \u00d7 PAPERSKY A \u201cgood enough\u201d house was the goal.&lt;br&gt;A life that feels just right was the reward. - PAPERSKY\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Each region in Japan has its own appeal and originality, and by linking up with and influencing other regions, each has fostered a unique culture. One Japan ~ 47 Neighborhoods is a story of BESS and PAPERSKY\u2019S quest to uncover creative and wholesome lifestyles that can be lived in various parts of the Japanese archipelago. 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