- Traditional Japanese Farmhouse Becomes a Warm Meeting Place for Neighbours, Visitors and International Residents
MATSUE : In the tranquil countryside of western Japan, a century-old farmhouse is becoming an inspiring symbol of cultural exchange, hospitality and multicultural coexistence.
Dressed in traditional kimono, Fatih Ymran, a Moroccan Muslim IT engineer, and his Japanese wife, Nanami, welcome visitors to their home in the mountainous Hakuta district of Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture. Over cups of freshly prepared matcha tea and seasonal traditional dishes, the couple hopes to create a space where people from different backgrounds can meet, talk and feel at home.
A Traditional Home with a Modern Message
The couple’s farmhouse, dating back more than 100 years, features a traditional earthen-floored entrance and a sunken hearth. Located along a road lined with historic homes and merchant houses dating to the Edo period, the property is surrounded by picturesque hills and tea plantations.
Fatih, 33, and Nanami, 35, first met in Kobe in 2016, when Fatih was studying as an international student and Nanami was working for the Kobe municipal government. Their shared appreciation for traditional Japanese culture helped bring them closer.
Nanami later embraced Islam before the couple married in 2020.
Ramadan Inspired a New Appreciation for Food and Life
Nanami experienced Ramadan for the first time in 2018, an experience that profoundly influenced her perspective on food and daily life.
She said the month of fasting taught her to appreciate meals more deeply and recognise how taking time to value each meal can enrich everyday life.
The couple eventually moved to Yasugi, despite having no previous connection to the region, attracted by its natural beauty and peaceful surroundings. In 2023, they purchased the traditional farmhouse, where they now live with their two-year-old son, Sami.
Bringing Japanese and Moroccan Traditions Together
Their home reflects a unique blend of Japanese and Moroccan influences, while family life provides opportunities to introduce their young son to both cultures. One memorable example was Sami watching the beloved Japanese animated film “My Neighbor Totoro” in both Japanese and Arabic.
By opening their doors to the wider community, the couple has gradually developed strong relationships with local residents and international visitors.
Guests are invited to enjoy matcha prepared by the couple and participate in making seasonal Japanese treats, including glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves and boiled in a traditional style.
A Place Where Strangers Can Become Neighbours
Local resident Sachiko Omichi described the farmhouse as a special place where people can naturally begin conversations, even with those they have just met.
The couple has also welcomed foreign residents of Shimane from countries including Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, offering them the opportunity to stay at the farmhouse, share meals and experience everyday family life in rural Japan.
Fatih, who works remotely for a Tokyo-based company, often welcomes visitors while continuing his professional work from home.
Hospitality as a Shared Cultural Value
For Fatih, welcoming neighbours and guests is deeply connected to his Moroccan heritage and Islamic values.
He noted that in Morocco it is common for neighbours to visit one another informally, reflecting a culture of hospitality and mutual care.
That spirit of openness has become a defining feature of the couple’s life in Yasugi, where their home has evolved into a small but meaningful platform for cultural understanding.
Rural Japan Offers a Lesson in Multicultural Coexistence
While concerns over discrimination and online abuse targeting Muslims have been reported in parts of Japan in recent years, Nanami said their experience in the local community has been overwhelmingly positive.
She said neighbours have treated the couple with warmth and respect, without judging them based on their appearance, nationality or religious beliefs.
For Nanami, that everyday acceptance represents the essence of multicultural coexistence—not simply discussing diversity, but respecting one another as individuals and building genuine relationships.
A Small Farmhouse with a Global Message
The story of Fatih and Nanami demonstrates how cultural exchange can begin with something as simple as sharing a cup of tea, preparing food together or welcoming a neighbour through the front door.
In rural Shimane, their traditional farmhouse has become more than a home. It is emerging as a welcoming space where Japan, Morocco and diverse cultures meet through hospitality, friendship and mutual respect—offering an inspiring example of the human connections that can strengthen understanding between communities and nations.
BY: The Times Union – KYODO
