What does the word "kominka" mean? Traditional Japanese farmhouses known as kominka are constructed in a unique and incredibly nostalgic form. In contrast to well-known ancient towns like Kyoto or Edo (old Tokyo), kominka offer a fascinating rural side of Old Japan. These farmhouses have been converted into hotels and restaurants in recent years, providing superb service in the most romantic, nostalgic, rural settings.
Kimberly and Paul Fradale were American expatriates living and working in Tokyo, where they discovered an opportunity many dream of: buying a traditional Japanese country house at an unbelievably affordable price. Little did they know that their purchase would take them on an extraordinary adventure, far exceeding their expectations.
The thatched wooden house lies tucked away in a quiet area between mountains and rice fields.
This and many others, known as kominka, can be recognised by their wooden beams that are hundreds of years old. Built with great technical skill, they have survived, largely forgotten, in rural areas throughout the country, despite having been built with exquisite skill.
