Atop a small hill along prefectural highway 45 sits Tsuchinoto House, a tranquil place operated by the Sanbes, a couple who moved from Tokyo after the earthquake and tsunami.
Mr. Sanbe studied agriculture and works to grow various vegetables and rice, while Mrs. Sanbe ran a private salon as an aesthetician and therapist and now treats customers out of their home.
The two of them enjoy a slow-paced, carefree lifestyle of self-sufficiency, as they harvest vegetables from their garden and cook them with local flavors or cook their home-grown rice in an earthenware pot. "We want to show people who are considering an 'I-turn' (moving from the city to the countryside), that even city folk like us can live here without any problems. Please come visit us as though you were going to relax at a country home," say Mrs. Sanbe. Mr. Sanbe is an excellent guitar player and has many unusual instruments as well, which make for an enjoyable time with the couple.
They also hold many workshops and culinary events, so why not check out their website and try one out.