The Pursuit of Self Sufficiency, Living for Free in the Countryside of Japan. Destination Adventure

I have always had a fascination for interesting lifestyles, seeing as I have been living one for quite some time myself, but this one is to a new extent. Over the past four years, the world has seen a big trend toward self sufficiency and alternative living, and many people have gotten to feel the benefits and challenges of achieving it.

Rupert has been interested in, and actively working towards this lifestyle long before it was trending, but on a whole different level. The move to Japan came 12 years ago, and I can only imagine how difficult it must have been. I find myself struggling just ordering food with the language gap in Japan, let along trying to buy a house and make a life. The amazing thing about Japan though, is that with the right dedication, a very sustainable life can be had with minimal money in the countryside.

In my past two visits to Japan, I have been fortunate to visit the countryside, and I am always taken back by the beauty, and of course the Kominka (traditional house), and I am always amazed to see the lack of locals living there. In todays age, the countryside of Japan is basically abandoned, and the towns are just collections of houses beginning to fall apart. This is a result of several things, but the end result is not a good one. If you shop around, you will find that many of these homes are very cheap, or even free, with many incentives for locals to move to the country, but still there is decline.

Rupert saw this as an opportunity, and with less than a couple of months average wage, he had a house and a fresh start. Of course it is not just as easy as buying a house and living for free. Japan is a completely different culture and way of life, and weather or not you purchase property and a home, that way of life must be respected. Like all thing in life, there are good and bad, but to find a place that brings a person peace and happiness is a blessing.

This story has been on my radar for more than a year now, and I was so happy to get the chance to meet Rupert and help share his story. If you want to see more, take a look at his channel:    / @rupert-japan  

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