In the quiet residential hills of Kobe in Hyogo prefecture, this unique traditional Japanese property feels like stepping into another world 🍃. The house offers around 90m² (970 sqft) of living space on a spacious 536m² (5,770 sqft) plot, giving it the atmosphere of a secluded retreat while still being located within the city.
Originally used as a tea ceremony school, the house preserves many elements of traditional tea house architecture. A stepping stone path leads through the garden toward the entrance, creating a peaceful transition from everyday life into a calm and contemplative space.
Inside, authentic tatami tea rooms can be found on both the first and second floors, each connected to traditional mizuya preparation areas. Large windows and yukimi shoji sliding doors bring in soft natural light and seasonal views of greenery and maple trees, while some rooms feature a traditional hearth built directly into the tatami floor.
Outside, the land slopes gently down to an area that can be used for a vegetable garden or small farming space 🌱. With more than 500m² of land and Suzurandai Station only a 9 minute walk away, this rare property offers a peaceful lifestyle with convenient access to Kobe and Osaka.
The exact address, the original listing, the full cost breakdown. Know the neighbourhood in ten seconds: every amenity mapped, every distance measured. Plus +20 new houses every week, hand-picked and translated, and exclusive access to our buying assistance and renovation service.
The weekly newsletter brings together all the Japanese houses featured on my social media into one easy-to-use map, including exact locations, original listings, fully translated details, photos, and over +20 additional hand-selected properties EVERY week, along with a complete buying guide, market insights, practical tools, and total cost estimates with all taxes and fees included.
The Newsletter also provides access to a dedicated contact form connecting you with a trusted bilingual partner agency in Tokyo, offering full support to foreign buyers across Japan, including virtual or in-person property visits, complete paperwork and legal procedures, negotiations, and purchase assistance, as well as access to exclusive off-market listings not available to the public.
Once the house is yours, our trusted renovation partner takes over: kominka restorations, structural repairs, interior remodelling and complete makeovers, handled by an experienced team that guides you through every step. Whether you are restoring a countryside home or modernising a recent purchase, you receive a clear quote and a single point of contact in English.