Charming Traditional House in Soeda-machi, Fukuoka – Ideal for Creative Business or Retreat

This beautiful traditional Japanese house (kominka) is located in Soeda-machi, Fukuoka Prefecture, an area known as a destination for hiking and festivals at the sacred Mount Hikosan. The property was purchased three years ago by the current owners with the intention of starting an artist-in-residence business. Now seeking a property closer to Tokyo, they are offering this home to someone who wishes to use it for a creative business, a relaxing family home, or a retreat in a pastoral natural setting. The property consists of a single-story kominka main house, a barn, and a separate bathhouse, all surrounded by a backdrop of small mountains and rice fields. It is currently vacant and all belongings have been cleared, allowing for immediate handover. The house features elegant traditional Japanese architectural elements such as a tokonoma (alcove), ranma (transom), shoji windows, and age-tatami (raised tatami mats), offering great potential for those interested in DIY renovation. Ideas include converting the spacious interior into an art gallery or cafe. Soeda-machi is an excellent location for such projects, with recent community revitalization efforts including artist-in-residence programs in restored kominka, a popular guesthouse, and a co-working space designed by a local architect. Alternatively, the property can be enjoyed as a vacation home for family, with spacious rooms, the warmth of wood, and the sound of nightingales from the mountains providing a slow-paced morning. Despite its rural feel, Nishisoeda Station on the JR Hita-Hikosan Line is an 8-minute walk away, and the major city of Fukuoka is just 1.5 hours by train. The property has a well in the backyard, though it requires testing for drinking water suitability and the pump may need replacement as it has not been used. Lifelines other than the water supply are not connected and require renovation. The engawa (veranda) is slightly slanted and may need foundation repair; consultation with a specialist is recommended. Electricity must be arranged through Kyushu Electric Power. The current toilet is a pit latrine, which can be modernized using government subsidies. The price has been reduced accordingly, and price negotiation is possible. A key advantage is that Soeda-machi actively promotes migration and offers support for renovation, covering up to 50% of costs for septic tank installation and other renovations. Property summary: Location: Soeda-machi, Tagawa-gun, Fukuoka. Land: 505.22 sqm. Main house: 112.8 sqm, Barn: 26.08 sqm, Bathroom: 3.69 sqm (built before 1966). Structure: Main house and barn are single-story wooden. Status: Vacant. Desired price: 2,000,000 yen (negotiable). Transaction is as-is and based on official registry.