Hello forum, How many Hokkaido people are on here? I only know of myself, Gentle Ben, and I think one other poster whose name I can't think of right now. I've met Ben through this forum, did a little volunteering at his farm. (and more to come I hope!) I'll be seeing him at Organic...

Welcome to this new thread ! I`ve had enough of people in the city - fat, bitter and for the most part unintelligent. I'm considering a move to a place where I can pick lemons from a tree in the garden, muse on the beauty of the morning and above all get my hands dirty ! and no I don't...

Greetings all! As a small contribution to the 350.org 10/10 Global Work Party! campaign, on Oct 10th, we will be hosting a Solar Power and Tree Planting Work Party, open to all and completely for free! Experience how to set up an off-grid, 1.2kWh photovoltaic array. We will be stringing...

Anyone ever done the aki-jaga? I just reserved some hana-shibetsu from http://www.hokusonotane.co.jp/SHOP/261994/324003/list.html the andes red, looked good but passed on them. What's the difference tween spring and autumn spuds anyhow? (don't say the name)

Hello all, My name is Alex from Oklahoma in the states. I am 22 and run an organic farm with my dad. Well I am very tired of America/Americans and am looking for a new place to live for awhile. I've looked around on the web a lot and rural Japan sounds perfect for me. I've heard about how...

Well, it turns out that the Survival Seed Bank not only includes a whole lotta seeds, but also "a special 81-page manual called *Survival Gardening With Heirlooms*." I think they're referring to using Grandma's tibia as a trowel after she's been death-paneled by Obama's brownshirts, but I...

I used to make my own until I knocked my fermenting jar off the counter like an @ss one hectic evening... Anyone here make their own 梅酒 or any other fruit-based liquors here? It would be cool to hear some tips, tricks, or just plain-out variational ideas.

Is there anywhere selling Turbo Yeast in Japan?

We're looking for land or a community that has land,in an isolated area.We want to be completely self-sufficient,and in the end even get rid of the vehicle (animal power instead!).We've been looking in Japan,mainly Kyushu,for a year and a half now,and have encountered numerous obstacles - the...

Anyone done this in Japan? I was thinking of putting a few hives in my garden. I could make them myself but where would I get the initial stock of bees? Thanks

Hey all. A report from Okayama: I was talking about the huge amount of weeds I'd cleared in another thread the other day, but didn't want to take it over so have started this new thread in which to carry on. So, as I was saying, I have an unbelievable amount of cuttings after clearing the...

I've been looking around for apple and pear trees like the ones you can get in the UK, are there any websites where I can buy from here in Japan. thanks

We have a place out in Nagano that we visit infrequently. Last year, I tried making a compost pile by throwing in a bunch of tall green weeds, leaves (both long dead and recently cut), cuttings (small branches, leaves etc) into a large low pile, dunking it with water and covering it with a large...

all, advice needed... Prease. She's 3 weeks old. Noticed her not eating and drinking this evening at grub time and when I went to grab her she hopped off on one leg. The other leg, completely lifeless, just hangs in the air as I hold her up. When I touch her leg she chirps, loudly. And painfully...

I found a beautiful house for sale there, although I understand it rains a lot, more than almost anywhere else in Japan. Just wondering if anyone has been there and if they enjoyed it. Also wondering if some experts like Mr. Ken Elwood could recommend other secluded towns/villages in Nara worth...

About time Country living had a poll. So, what you reckon ? Will Julian's infamous, recently transplanted freebie Maple tree pull through or give up the ghost ? Cast your votes. Here's a pic of the tree in question as of June 3rd.

Hi all. A quick question. Does anyone know what our neighbour might be referring to when he says 'Nori'? He's using the word when we talk about the waterways around a rice paddy, and also when discussing a land drain (buried ditch...), I assume he means some variety of soil or perhaps clay, but...

Hi all. I've been following the Country Living forum for a fair while and figured it's about time I actually wrote something. I'm currently waiting on my nouchihou application before finding out if I can buy the land we've chosen over in Okayama, and I was wondering if any of the posters here...

Whether you're actively looking or just like dreaming, drop your Country land links here.

Hello Country dwellers, My first post here, but I've been reading you guys for about a year now and you all seem the least jaded, bitter and cynical of all the posters. Must be something in that country air! I'm buying a plot of land down in Shimoda, and plan to build some small resort style...

Has anyone tired it? Someone told me the other day that in India they burn horse manure for fuel. I've taken some from my local stables for the garden before, they're happy to get rid of it (ask for uma no fun). After leaving it outside for the rain to wash out the ammonia from horse urine, it has...

From their Homepage: Anyone thinking to attend?

I'm a 28 yr old certified localized foreigner, happily married to a Japanese lady. She owns and manages a successful and growing business in the music industry and I have something that appears like a career in IT and some real estate investments back home that hopefully will grow and not be...

Is there a cool alternative community in Japan with interesting (youngish) people, artists etc, growing own veges, solar power etc say 2 hours max to Tokyo? I have been looking at Chiba, Yamanashi and a few other places but find noone there just obachans and rice fields. Looking to get out of...

went to the local DIY center to look at prices for water buts, quite expensive here in Japan, we've thought about it recently as the local city office can give up to two thirds discount. we're looking for one about 200ltrs.

I thought I'd start a new thread where folk can link to or write their own book reviews. There are heaps of good books out there, but I rarely buy one unless someone I know has recommended it or I've read a good review. Maybe forumites here in Country Living have a similar enough set of interests...

Please share any thoughts, resources, links, experiences, etc. you have relating to seeds and seed supplies in Japan in this thread. I’m sure there is information strewn throughout the big thread, but I couldn’t see it in the index. Please keep it Japan specific if possible. For starters,...

In the next couple of months, 'm finally going to get some chickens and rabbits for the garden. Gonna keep both in tractors on a circuit around/through the beds, weedy areas, and under the fruit trees. Weed control, fertilization, and clean meat/eggs are the goals. However, a rooster probably...

Lots of Japanese houses are using old railway ties (makuragi) in landscaping and gardens. Mrs. Adjunct wanted to put some in the garden to build a small vegetable garden. But the English first sites that came up when doing some internet research were all about how dangerous the chemicals used to...

hey all, last year was my first time growing rice and i'd say i was relatively successful. the rice i tried to grow on my own in my hatake was a dismal failure, three different times. BUT, the rice i grew in a tanbo with some friends who made all the big decisions was a complete success! this...

Not sure this is the correct thread, but it seems like there are quite a few helpful and kind souls here, so... here I go... We're thinking about buying a home in the country (well, more like in the suburbs), as the family grew and we're very tight where we are. We've put our eyes on a property...

Transported over from the Food thread. It's July 2nd now, and I've been noticing the lantana berries turning a nice dark color. The leaves and stalks remind me a lot of blackberries, raspberries, etc. I do believe that it's blackberry picking season now so.... does anyone here have experience...

Hello again. Just a smallish question to those who know. I have been putting down over the course of a few months a green, entirely alien lawn so as to enhance my quality of life. It looks a treat and feels much better than the dirt it replaced but I'm having a hella time getting rid of the weeds....