Interview With Yokomura Ecolodge and Kasamatsu Farm Owner Byron

With so many stretches of land in Japan that are untouched or abandoned, many have taken advantage of these areas to start their own homesteading, whether it’s just a simple vegetable garden or full-on agriculture opportunities with animals and vast gardens enough to mostly sustain themselves. 

The countryside in particular is full of spaces of land waiting for someone to give them life again, with some spaces even being spots where people have once planted or raised animals in the past, so when someone chooses to start homesteading, they get to give use to the land, a quite rare opportunity.

If you get lucky and find an akiya, an abandoned home, in Japan, combined with acres of land, many can get a good start on making their own farms. In this blog, I am happy to introduce you to Byron, a homesteader of Kasamatsu farm, and a bed and breakfast owner of the Yokomura Ecolodge in Japan.

Could you please introduce yourself?

I am originally from Bergen County, New Jersey, just outside of New York City. My parents were immigrants from Germany and Hungary, and they came to the United States in the 1960s. I made a similar decision when I was in my early 20s to come to Japan and try and attempt to build a life for myself here. Since then, it’s been nearly 20 years, and by some measure, I have been successful in accomplishing many of the goals and aspirations I had for myself when I came to this country.  After a brief visit to Japan during summer vacation with a childhood Japanese friend, I was struck by the cultural differences and novelty between Japan and the Western culture I was raised in. I became passionate about learning Japanese during my time at university in New York and quickly progressed with the goal of studying abroad and eventually working and living in Japan. 

After studying Japanese for a year in the US, I came to Tokyo for a year-long exchange program at Waseda University, and after graduation returned to Japan on the JET Programme as a CIR, living in rural Miyazaki prefecture. At the time, I wasn’t able to appreciate the rural side of Japan and was eager to pursue a corporate career in Tokyo. A year later, my wish came true as I landed a job working for a large Japanese company and was able to get a taste of the urban Japanese salaryman lifestyle.

Why did you decide to go to the Japanese countryside instead of big cities such as Tokyo?

In my early 20s, living in Tokyo was a very attractive proposition. I lived in a company dorm, worked long hours, enjoyed an active social life, and explored a different side of Japanese work culture, which I had only seen in dramas and movies as I was learning Japanese. After nearly 10 years living and working in Tokyo, I began to have doubts about the trajectory I was on and the consumer values and culture I had immersed myself in. I was working hard and making a good living, but still felt unfulfilled, like there was a disconnect between the work I was doing and any perceived value I was creating for myself or society as a whole. After only working in a corporate environment, I had this strong desire to do something concrete with my own hands where I could visibly see the fruits of my labor. It was at this point that I stumbled upon Permaculture, which is essentially a philosophy and design system for sustainable human habitation. I took a Permaculture Design Course in Fujino, Kanagawa, and this really changed my perspective and influenced my trajectory.  I began to see the Japanese countryside as a place of incredible potential, rich in not only history and traditions, but also awash in underutilized resources and potential opportunity. Shortly thereafter, it was the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and the ensuing Fukushima nuclear disaster that really forced me to reassess my dependent urban lifestyle and strike out on a more unique path in search of value, resilience, and sustainability.

What inspired you to start Kasamatsu farm? Do you have any stories from since you started?

I had visited the Fujino area for the permaculture course, and again while conducting research for my thesis during a Masters course in Sustainability at the United Nations University in Tokyo. Fujino had a reputation as a creative community with many artists and craftspeople actively pursuing their passions. However, in the aftermath of Fukushima, with the active permaculture and Transition Town community, and the alternative Waldorf School, the area became a mecca for those escaping urban Tokyo in search of a more creative, sustainable, and rural lifestyle. This made Fujino an attractive choice, and my wife and I moved here back in 2012 before we had children. For the first few years, we rented an Akiya with a wood-burning stove, down in a valley near a river, and lived a pretty idyllic, and romantic country lifestyle after making the transition from the city. Things got more complicated once we had children and began searching for a place to set down roots, create a local business, and implement some of the permaculture design principles as we designed our homestead and sustainable lifestyle. After much searching, we came across an incredible valley with south-facing slopes, lots of abandoned agricultural land, and abundant natural resources.

We heard the story from one of the older locals still living there that the village of 9 houses had been ravaged by a fire some 12 years ago, and almost everyone had moved out, with the exception of himself and one other family. He was keen to sell us land in the village for building our house and rent us the adjacent farmland, but with one caveat. The land was stuck in inheritance limbo, in the name of his father, who had passed away 30 years ago, and in order to sell the land legally to us, he would need to sort out the inheritance by getting approval from all 8 of his brothers and sisters, who were all elderly, living in different locations. I spoke with numerous local real estate agents to enlist their help in the matter, but with a situation like this, there is too much uncertainty and too little profit to be made. The only advice I received was that if I really wanted the land in the village, I would have to make the effort to sort the matter out myself. It took the better part of a year, but with persistence and some of the locals’ help, I was able to sort out the legality issue, purchase the land for building our homestead, create a holistic permaculture design, and begin expanding our agricultural operations in the area while staying true to the local traditions.

What made you so passionate about homesteading?

My wife and I were both city people who didn’t grow up in an environment where our parents were able to provide for their needs directly, but like most people who are a part of the global economy, we worked full time for a paycheck in order to purchase the goods and services our family needed to survive. This is, of course, a noble pursuit in its own right, but after the experience we had leaving Tokyo after the earthquake, we felt strongly that we wanted to have more control over the food that we ate, the energy that we consumed, the house that we lived in, and how we spent our time. Homesteading in Japan was an extension of these values, and we never began with the intention of building a commercial farming operation. We started growing nutrient-dense food, practicing regenerative agriculture, keeping free-range chickens, experimenting with natural building and off-grid living, and through the years, welcomed over 250 volunteers and interns from around the world as we gradually built our own house and homestead together.

You also run the Yokomura Ecolodge. What inspired you to make that opportunity available for travelers or people in the country?

I often make this joke that after 10 years in Japan, westerners just get this itch where they want to move to the country and renovate an old Japanese farmhouse. It is a bit of a trope, but I eventually fell for it myself. This was long before the concept of Akiya got on social media, a few years after we secured the land and began building our homestead, I got word of an empty kominka in the neighboring village. Upon closer inspection, I was really inspired by the opportunity it presented, the structure was over 150 years old, built in traditional timberframe style using no nails or metal fasteners, and like many houses in the area was a family home which was also used for silk production throughout the year. Although the project seemed daunting with what we already had on our plate, I decided to make a go at renovating the structure with the goal of turning it into a boutique hotel called Yokomura Ecolodge where guests could experience various aspects of our sustainable, rural Japanese lifestyle. The renovation took over a year, and we implemented a number of traditional and sustainable construction techniques to create a really unique and comfortable space. Personally, after nearly two decades in Japan, the novelty had mostly worn off for me, and through hosting foreign guests at Yokomura,  I was eager to share my experience and perspective with other foreigners who were exploring the country and culture for the first time.

How long have you been running the EcoLodge? Can you please tell us more about what it is exactly and what you offer there?

Since we finished the renovation, it has been nearly 8 years since we have been operating Yokomura Ecolodge as a hotel and farm-to-table experience for guests. As a licensed farmer in Kanagawa prefecture, we are technically operating the lodge as a farm stay hotel. Although we are only an hour from Shinjuku, the area is a world away from the city and provides guests with a unique perspective into rural Japan and sustainable country living. With the influx of inbound tourists post-COVID, we are now focusing on developing unique experiential content where guests can combine a stay at the lodge with a farm and homestead tour, hands-on cultural and sustainability-focused experiences, access to the alternative local artisan community and farm-to-table style dining hosted by local chefs using organic and locally grown ingredients. As former city people who were attracted to the Japanese countryside, I believe my wife and I have a really unique perspective and experience that we try and share with guests who visit us at the lodge.

As you know, we are real foodies at Arigato Travel, and we want to know what kind of food is made and served there.

A strong interest in Japanese food culture is one of the main reasons I came to Japan, and also one of the reasons I stayed this long. Over the years at Kasamatsu Farms, we have produced over 50 varieties of herbs and vegetables, along with free-range eggs, and have experienced many ups and downs both as consumers of Japanese food and as producers ourselves.  Growing produce organically at scale in Japan is incredibly meaningful but also extremely challenging, managing unstable weather, animal incursions, and other challenges to efficiency.  At this stage, we have stepped back from our commercial farming operations but work closely with like-minded organic farmers to source ingredients for larger groups of guests who wish to enjoy in-house catering prepared at the lodge. The menu is seasonal and constantly changing, and really highlights the local food traditions and lovingly produced, nutrient-dense ingredients. For guests that would prefer preparing meals themselves as a group the the kitchen is fully equipped and very spacious, and we have an outdoor BBQ space which can be prepared with local charcoal for guests that want to grill their own food together in the warmer months.

Do you have any memorable souvenirs with former guests you’d like to share?

One of the unique features of the lodge is the private bathhouse, which is separate from the house. It is an understated wooden structure with a changing and showering area and an attached outside area with an open-air wooden bathtub made from local Japanese cypress. We have no monopoly on the Japanese bathing experience. It is something you can enjoy when visiting a local onsen or sento, or by staying at a typical Japanese ryokan. What makes the bathhouse at Yokomura unique is that the bath is heated by a small wood-fired boiler, which guests can experience operating themselves.  Collecting fuel, splitting wood, and heating water to take a bath were bothersome chores for most rural Japanese in the past. We have discovered that for most people living a modern, digitally connected and fast-paced lifestyle, the experience of having to split firewood and heat up a bath over the course of an hour is a meditative luxury that most people are simply unable to afford. It is a planned inconvenience that forces us to reflect on our day, feel gratitude, and enjoy a sense of warmth and abundance that is a far cry from a bathing experience prepared at the touch of a digital button. Many of our guests have said the bath has been one of the highlights of their experience at the lodge, and I highly recommend it for anyone in search of nurturing a sense of wellness and inner peace.

What kind of people would you recommend to stay at the Ecolodge?

The lodge is quite large and can accommodate up to 20 people comfortably. We only rent the space to one group at a time, so guests who book can enjoy privacy and the whole lodge to themselves. In general, the lodge is ideal for a large family or two, or a group of friends traveling together, looking for a unique experience different from a typical Japanese ryokan or business hotel. We can accommodate smaller groups as well, and have also worked with companies and organizations to provide off-site team building combined with sustainability-focused experiences. Since we are conveniently located right in between Tokyo and Mt. Fuji, I can recommend a stay for all inbound tourists with a day or two to spare in their itinerary who are looking for a unique, rural experience without logistically going too far from Tokyo. While the local area in Fujino is rich in history and unique culture, and we can provide plenty of local experiences for the curious traveler, a stay at Yokomura can also be a great option as a base for exploring the Mt. Fuji area on a day trip. We can help arrange tours, transportation, and itineraries accordingly.  Of course, guests interested in farm-to-table, sustainability, and rural homesteading would no doubt return home with new inspiration and memories that would last a lifetime.

What advice would you give to those who also want to start homesteading in Japan?

Just like anything else, homesteading in Japan has its unique opportunities but plenty of challenges as well. Of course, everyone has this idyllic dream of an off-grid homestead with perennial food forests and a tightly woven local community. While these goals are achievable, it is no doubt a long and daunting process, and each person’s experience and situation will no doubt be unique. That being said, I believe maintaining a positive vision for the future, being persistent in your vision while cultivating strong social ties and partnerships, and finding other like-minded collaborators and stakeholders who want to join you on this journey are critical to success. Honestly, over the years, I have made plenty of mistakes and have questioned the path that my family and I are on many times. In retrospect, we have accomplished so much in terms of our pursuit of value and a sustainable lifestyle, but as far as I am concerned, the goal still remains somewhat out of reach and might eventually become a legacy for my 3 children to inherit. We remind ourselves along the way that while the goal and greater vision we want for ourselves and our lifestyle is important, the journey to get there is where we grow and learn really feel alive. For those interested in learning more, I am happy to share my thoughts and experiences with those who visit us at the lodge.

Do you have any recommended places to visit around Fujino?

There are, of course, local sights like hiking trails to Jinmba or Takao and traditional shrines and temples like nearby Gundari Jinja. However, in my opinion, what really makes Fujino special is the incredible local community of creative artisans and sustainability-minded practitioners who are active in the area and have contributed to this unique cultural tapestry. However, it is hard to experience this community on an overnight trip as a foreign visitor. For those who have the luxury of time and resources and are interested in diving deeper into this community, I really recommend a longer stay at the lodge. We can help organize local tours with interpretation, where guests can visit various artists and sustainability practitioners throughout the town to really get a sense of what this one-of-a-kind community has to offer.

Anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Over the years, our focus has been primarily on building our knowledge and experience through homesteading, farming, and eco-tourism activities at Yokomura Ecolodge. This has been incredibly satisfying in many ways, and we have encountered many other like-minded individuals who supported our journey and valued our experience and perspective. Going forward, however, we have realized that the only way to scale our business and share our experience with a greater audience is by leveraging new mediums like social media and online learning. We are currently working on a number of new projects, including developing our own YouTube and social media content in hopes of connecting with a greater community of like-minded individuals would share our values and could benefit from our unique journey. In the next few months, we will be releasing a documentary series called “The Japanese Dream”,  detailing our experience homesteading in the Japanese countryside. For now, please follow our Kasamatsu Farm socials on Instagram, and we will release more information as we prepare our launch in 2025. Thanks again for your support.

Thank you for answering our questions.  Japan’s countryside attracts many tourists for its agricultural opportunities, akiyas, and much more, so it is very insightful to see and hear from someone successful in both. Whether our readers wish to learn more about homesteading in Japan or visit the countryside, especially Yokomura Ecolodge, this interview will be of great help and guidance for all things agriculture and tourism in Japan’s countryside.

Where to find Kasamatsu Farm and Yokomura Ecolodge:

Website for Yokomura: https://yokomura.localinfo.jp/

Online Shop for Kasamatsu: https://kasamatsu-farms.com/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/mx64QlnEPYc?si=pYhaG7k2KAbQILcI

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasamatsufarms/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kasamatsu.farms/

Featured Photo Credit: Byron

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