Building a home from scratch and living an eco-friendly lifestyle may sound like the stuff of fantasy. Well, we met someone who actually did it.
Once office workers in Tokyo, Byron Nagy and his wife left the bustle and convenience of the big city to build their own home from the ground up and launch vacation rental and agricultural businesses, achieving a slower, more sustainable lifestyle, in Japan’s countryside.
Below, Byron shares why he and his family made the move, the challenges they faced, and what they learned along the way.
Waking up to a Higher Purpose
Bitsii: “What motivated you to leave Tokyo and start this lifestyle?”
Byron: “I wanted to live a life with a deeper sense of purpose, a deeper sense of meaning. I felt that in my corporate life in Tokyo, the work I was doing didn’t really matter. I wanted a concrete connection between what I was doing with my own hands and the value I was creating for the world, my community, myself, and my family. I wanted a stronger sense of control over my destiny.”
Bitsii: “You were searching for a higher purpose?”
Byron: “Exactly. In the city, I felt dependent on systems for an income, for all my necessities, on a daily basis. I wanted to be actually involved in building my own house, growing my own food, and sourcing my own energy from the land. That’s why we decided to set up Yokomura Ecolodge and Kasamatsu Farms.”
Shifting to a Community-Based Lifestyle
Bitsii: “Was it difficult to go from city living to a more community-based lifestyle out here?”
Byron: “Yes and no. It’s definitely challenging, and there are real reasons people balk at it. In a community-based lifestyle, you have to rely on the community. You can’t provide for all your needs yourself. So, you have to find a community of like-minded people, even if it’s not your local community. You might tap into the global community or a virtual community. In any case, you can’t do it alone.”
Bitsii: “So it’s not just about providing for yourself and building a sustainable home—it’s about building connections, too?”
Byron: “Absolutely. It’s fulfilling to know you’re not alone in this, that others want to make a positive impact on the world too.”

Choosing Sustainable Building Materials
Bitsii: “Let’s dive into the practical side of things. How did you approach choosing materials for your house?”
Byron: “The idea of taking out a 30-year loan to build a house that’s going to be torn down in one generation seemed ridiculous to me and my family. And the design wouldn’t really… be traditionally Japanese. House construction in Japan is this weird mix of contemporary styles. I wanted to build something that would last, that would be like a legacy for my family.”
Bitsii: “That sounds like quite a learning curve! How did you figure out all the traditional techniques?”
Byron: “I finally met someone who had been a miya daiku (traditional Japanese carpenter) in his youth. He’d built temples, shrines, and traditional Japanese timber-frame construction. He wasn’t interested in building a house, but was keen to help someone who wanted to do something interesting. He became my mentor and guided me along the process.”
Innovating with Eco-Friendly and DIY Solutions
Bitsii: “Tell me about the eco-friendly aspects of the EcoLodge—did you incorporate natural materials when renovating it?”
Byron: “Oh, definitely. We’ve done all kinds of things, from insulating with straw to setting up a wood-fired bathhouse. We don’t have air conditioning, which is unimaginable for many Tokyo residents, but it’s part of the experience here. We tell guests it’s an escape to nature—when it’s hot, go to the river.
It’s an eco-lodge, not a city hotel. We’re teaching our guests to be more mindful about energy and consumption.”
Bitsii: “What features in the EcoLodge are the most special to you?”
Byron: “The timber frame is original, along with some of the dark wooden floors. That latticework on the wall is also original. The dining table is actually made from scaffolding boards from the construction site, and some of the beams on the stairs came from under the floors. It’s about respecting what’s already here and adding our own story.
Reclaiming and repurposing materials gives the house a sense of continuity – like it’s part of the land itself.”



Bitsii: “How did you manage the plastering and the traditional yakisugi (charred cedar) technique?”
Byron: “When it comes to yakisugi, you need teamwork. If you’re organized, you can knock out 200 to 300 boards in a day. And mixing shikkui plaster? That was a challenge. The consistency has to be right, or it slides off the trowel. The pre-mixed version is easier, but I wanted to learn the craft. There’s something meditative about it—every board, every beam is part of the story you’re building.”
On Running an Airbnb in the Inaka
Bitsii: “A lot of people think about buying an old countryside house and running it as an Airbnb. What do you think of that idea?”
Byron: “It’s a lot more realistic if you’re thinking about running one in the city, just because of the simplicity of doing things there versus the countryside. You can’t overlook the social aspect of trying to operate an Airbnb in the countryside—neighbors have a lot of concerns, and there’s a lot that could go wrong with guest relations. At the end of the day, you’re left holding the bag and the responsibility that comes along with it.
Unless you’re willing to invest time to build trust with the neighbors, coming in to just renovate a place and rent it out might cause a load of problems down the line.”
Bitsii: “So you’d suggest the city is a better option for that?”
Byron: “Yes, if you’re looking for simplicity and quicker returns, the city is probably better. Doing it in the countryside requires consistent effort, community trust, and sometimes a little patience to see the results. It’s not a way to turn a quick profit.”



The Future of the EcoLodge
Bitsii: “Do you have any dreams for further improvements?”
Byron: “Solar panels are a dream. We’ve thought about solar water heating and making the house fully off-grid, but right now, it’s not feasible cost-wise. And while I’d love to install a solar water heating system, the reality is that the market doesn’t yet value that kind of investment.
I know my ideals are there, but I’ve had to learn to balance them with reality. It’s about patience and persistence.”
Bitsii: “That balance between ideals and reality sounds like it’s been a theme for you.”
Byron: “Yes, and it’s been humbling. I’ve learned that I can’t control everything, and sometimes it’s okay to compromise. At the end of the day, it’s a journey, and every day I’m grateful for it.”
Byron’s experience reminds us that living with purpose isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning, connecting, and making progress step by step. His dedication to an eco-friendly, DIY lifestyle in Japan’s countryside underscores that sustainability is as much about community as it is about individual grit.
Follow Byron on Instagram for updates, including details of an in-person workshop in Japan that combines information on Japanese concepts like wabi sabi with hands-on DIY activities to make yakisugi, dye with indigo, and more.
To see more stories of life in rural Japan and sustainable projects, follow us below:
Interviewee:
Byron Nagy @the.japanese.dream
Yokomura EcoLodge AirBNB / @yokomura_ecolodge
Kasamatsu Farms web / @kasamatsufarms
Interviewer:
Bitsii in inaka @bitsii_in_inaka