The Yamada family, consisting of parents Kotaro and Maiko and their two daughters, Hannah and Kaya, live in a traditional thatched home near Tokyo. Six years ago, Kotaro left his corporate job to pursue organic farming with his family. They enjoy a self-sufficient lifestyle, working together on the farm and participating in local traditions like making mochi. The community is involved in their farming activities, helping to plant rice and maintain the fields. The family also faces challenges such as rethatching their roof, but they approach these with a sense of togetherness and support from friends. Their life represents a blend of old-fashioned values and forward-looking sustainability.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The home is located 80 kilometers northeast of Tokyo at the foot of Mount Scuba.
2. It features a thatched roof, which is uncommon nowadays.
3. The family living there consists of two sisters, Hannah and Kaya, their father Yamada Kotaro, and mother Michael.
4. Yamada Kotaro left his corporate job six years ago to take up organic farming with his family.
5. The family works together on the farm and enjoys it.
6. They have a New Year's tradition of making red and white mochi to decorate tree branches.
7. For questions, the family consults their neighbors.
8. They steam rice they harvested themselves to make mochi.
9. The house was built about a hundred years ago for a silkworm farmer.
10. The thatched roof provides excellent insulation and ventilation and is eco-friendly.
11. The family's thatching was last changed over 20 years ago.
12. They gather grasses for a new roof, including Japanese pampas grass used in thatching.
13. Kaya was used historically for ropes and other items, essential for farming communities.
14. Kotaro rents close to six acres of farmland at a low price in Yasato.
15. Parents from Hannah and Kaya's nursery school help plant rice annually as a learning experience for children.
16. Rice paddies use no agrochemicals, allowing parents to rest easy about their children's safety.
17. Kotaro grows around 50 varieties of vegetables each year without agrochemicals or chemical fertilizers.
18. The family sells fresh vegetables as a delivery service to around 70 households in surrounding regions.
19. They include a handwritten letter called the Geshapa newsletter with their vegetable deliveries.
20. After 6 p.m., they fetch the children from nursery school and prepare dinner together.
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