Kozushima, a remote island off Tokyo, is so attractive you'll want to live there! Here's why

• Table of Contents
• It all started with the "Beach House" project
• A place where you can say "Welcome home"
• FamiliA's concept is "a Socializing Stay"
• FamiliA's challenge: Reaching out to lovers of "hidden gems" around the world!

It all started with the "Beach House" project

We opened FamiliA in the summer of 2017.
Kentaro, who is from Osaka, and Ayano, who is from Nagoya, had been living in Tokyo until 2016.

One day in 2015, a person living on Kozushima happened to stop by a bar where Kentaro's friend worked, and at the friend's invitation, Kentaro visited Kozushima for the first time.
Inspired by the passionate desire of the islanders to "make Kozushima even more exciting with the power of young people," they quickly decided to open a beach house on Maehama Beach the following year.

Meanwhile, Ayano was working for an airline and was commuting back and forth between Europe and Japan. Since I had a relatively long break between her shifts, she immediately decided to help out, thinking, "Building a beach house on Kozushima? Sounds fun!"
While visiting the island, I learned that the number of island accommodations is rapidly decreasing due to the aging population, and that the property we rented as a staff dormitory was once a Japanese style inn. Above all, I was moved by the beauty of the sea and sky of Kozushima and the deliciousness of the water, and I thought that if I could fulfill my long-held dream of "running an inn someday,"Kozushima would be the place!

In 2016, a beach house was built on Maehama Beach on Kozushima.

After somehow making it through summer season in 2016, we talked with friends who had been running the beach house and decided to renovate the building that had been used as a staff dormitory by Kentaro and Ayano into a lodging facility once again.

However, renovating a property that had been vacant for over 10 years with limited funds was not an easy task.
Thanks to the cooperation of many people, including the people of the island, friends, and volunteers, we were able to open in the summer of 2017.

It may be more accurate to say that rather than making a decision to move after much preparation, we just let ourself go with the flow and ended up living on Kozushima. For Ayano in particular, it all happened so quickly that for the three years from opening the inn until 2020, she commuted from Kozushima to Narita Airport.

Our days were busy and far from the laid-back island life that people often imagine, but we still vividly remember how happy we were to tears when our neighbours said to us, "I'm so glad the lights are on again next door," or "Thank you so much for coming to Kozushima and living here."

A place where you can say "Welcome home"

If you live alone in the city for a long time, you'll realize that you don't have many opportunities to say things like "I'm home" or "Welcome home."
In fact, it is common for people to not even know the name of the person living next door.

When I lived in Tokyo, I never felt lonely or inconvenienced by it, but every time I come back to the island, people greet me at the supermarket and say "Oh, welcome back!", teach me about festival customs, and are always quick to help us when we were in trouble. The fisherman next door gives us big fish. The person next door gives us dried fish. The lady next door shares not only vegetables but also side dishes with us.

Before I knew it, I had many "mothers."
Neither of the women in this photo are not our real mothers.
However, since they had really cared us since we first came to the island, they were genuinely happy about our marriage, as if we were a their own daughter or son.

While spending time on the island, I feel like I've come to understand something important, although it's very difficult to put into words: living as we are in harmony with nature.

Even though we have no relatives, they accept us and support us.
Although it's difficult to give back directly to the same people , we will do our best to do what we can so that what we do will in the end be a way to repay them.
This decision was made naturally between Kentaro and Ayano.

FamiliA's concept is "a Socializing Stay"

The concept of Vacation House FamiliA is "a Socializing Stay."
This theme was chosen with the hope that the sense of unity that comes from sharing the excitement of the starry sky, the sunset, and the beauty of the sea could lead to a conversation with someone you meet by chance while traveling, or with people living in a different place than usual, which could lead to an awareness of something new, and before you know it, you could become friends with them and create something new.
We place great importance on providing a comfortable space that you won't find in resort hotels.

Reasons for choosing B&B style

Vacation House FamiliA is a B&B (Bed & Breakfast) style accommodation, with breakfast included in the price and lunch and dinner at your choice from local restaurants.

Breakfast scene

For example, "I want to watch the sun sink into the sea before having dinner."" I want to go bar-hopping at night!"
When we travel, we like to enjoy the charms of the time and place, so we prefer a stay with a freedom. We want to avoid being restricted in how we enjoy ourselves by time restrictions and other constraints set by the accommodation. However, because we also want guests to enjoy chatting at the accommodation, we decided on a style where breakfast is served around a large table for everyone to gather in the morning.
"Where did you go yesterday?" "Where are you from?"
Sometimes we get so excited in the morning that we end up leaving late, but since all of our guests are staying for multiple nights, it's fine for them to take it easy.

Another attraction of Kozushima is the many gourmet spots, including craft beer pub, sushi restaurants, izakayas, and French restaurants.
Not only can you enjoy the island's specialties in a variety of ways, but you can also drink with local regulars at izakayas and chat with the owners, which is sure to create even more lasting memories of your trip.

When you check in, we will provide you with detailed information about restaurants on the island, so don't worry.

Vacation House FamiliA's accommodations are for 2 nights or more. Groups can accommodate up to 4 people.

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Very popular! Stargazing from the terrace at "FamiliA Planet"

We believe that one night is not enough to fully experience the rich nature of Kozushima and refresh both body and mind.
After all, you've traveled a 12-hour boat ride, and we don't want you to get tired by rushing around sightseeing spots.
We hope you will enjoy mountain climbing, stargazing, and other activities at the best possible time, in accordance with the workings of nature.
We hope you enjoy your time on Kozushima , including your stay at FamiliA .
And above all, we want to have a leisurely chat with our guests!

This rule was carefully thought out based on such strong feelings, and is unusual for an inn, but guests who have stayed there so far have said,
"It was fun chatting with the other guests and the owners !"
"The starry sky from the terrace was amazing! It was the first time in my life that I saw the Milky Way and shooting stars!"
We have received many such wonderful comments from people of all nationalities and ages.
Of course, we also provide support in English, so even if it's your first time in Japan or you're traveling alone, don't worry.

The reason we limit groups (excluding families) to four people is to create an environment where everyone can talk comfortably. Also, when you go out to a restaurant on the island, it is easier to make a reservation with a small group, and we found out that it is also easier to interact with the people on the island.

Although Japan is said to be the country with the most public holidays in the world, the reality is that it is difficult to take a vacation longer than a week.
The design of our rule and stay even calls into question the way companies and schools take holidays in Japan. However, with the spread of remote work and three-day off work weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope that just as people from overseas spend their vacations in Japan, Japanese holidays will become a more natural way of traveling, where people can leisurely experience the culture of the place they visit.

Please also see this article for more information about Vacation House FamiliA.

FamiliA's challenge: Reaching out to lovers of "hidden gems" around the world!

Compared to the city, there are no 24-hour stores and it may be inconvenient, and the 12-hour trip on a Large passenger ship may be difficult if you don't have the time and peace of mind to make it.
But once you arrive, you'll be greeted by the endless expanse of blue sea and sky, a rainbow-colored sunset, a starry sky and delicious spring water.
On this island you have the luxury of having a completely different view all to yourself than the big city of Tokyo where you were just yesterday.
Although it is by no means flashy, it is an island where the lifestyle and culture that have been passed down through the generations remain strong and where people live in harmony with abundant nature.

By taking your time and staying there for a long time or visiting multiple times, you may discover something important that you would not notice if you were living in the city.

Try walking longer than usual while looking up at the sky and feeling the wind.
Eat something you've never tried before, or be a little brave and talk to the people on the island.
I'm sure these feelings arise especially when you're in the middle of a journey.

Surely Japanese people aren't the only ones who want to take this kind of trip, where they can rediscover their true selves after taking on small challenges.
Rather, perhaps it is customers from overseas who want to interact with local people and experience Japanese culture.

That's why we at FamiliA have developed a tourism app with audio guides in both Japanese and English so that people from overseas can learn about our culture and history.

We will continue to challenge ourselves to improve the app and so on, raise awareness of Kozushima and FamiliA, and increase the number of people around the world who cherish Kozushima.

Would you like to go to a place in Japan that no one has been to yet, or a place in Tokyo that no one knows yet?

If you're curious and love the hidden gem, Kozushima can be your next destination!
We are looking forward to seeing you on Kozushima!

To make a reservation for Vacation House FamiliA, click here

Please refer to this article for information on how to get to Kozushima.