Moving from Osaka to Higashikawa, Hokkaido — Making the Dream of Opening “AOSORA Terrace” Come True

In the rural landscape of Higashikawa Town, two newly built, cedar-clad structures stand side by side. Surrounded by the vast blue sky, AOSORA Terrace is a one-group-per-day private rental villa.

Mr. Watanabe, the owner, decided to realize his long-held dreams of relocating to Hokkaido and opening a guesthouse. At age 55, he took early retirement from a pharmaceutical company and moved from Osaka with his wife, who is originally from Nara. They discovered Ahken—a housing company known not only for homebuilding but also for relocation support and business consultation. In 2023, they completed their own home, and in 2024, their long-awaited accommodation business officially opened.

We visited them to hear about life in their new home of Higashikawa and the challenges and joys of starting a new career.

AOSORA Terrace sits in a location where the deep blue sky meets the vivid green of rice fields. The scenery visible from the guesthouse inspired its name.

The exterior features cedar siding made from Yakushima cedar, blending naturally into the surrounding environment.

In winter, a wood stove warms the entire space. The sway of the flames and the gentle crackle of burning logs offer a sense of calm and comfort.

The interior makes generous use of birch for flooring and wall finishes.

From the sofa, guests are greeted with a quintessentially Hokkaido view—vast open fields and the distant silhouettes of Mt. Asahidake and Mt. Tokachidake, changing beautifully with each season. The landscape allows visitors to forget their daily busyness and the noise of urban life, experiencing Hokkaido’s nature in its purest form.

The villa includes a full kitchen and appliances, allowing guests to cook with Higashikawa-grown rice and vegetables. While meals are not provided, the owners can arrange transportation to excellent restaurants in town upon request at the time of booking.

The clean and spacious washroom includes a washing machine—very convenient for travelers.

The bathroom and toilet are designed for comfortable, homelike use. Within about a 10-minute drive, visitors can also enjoy day-use hot springs such as “Kitoshi no Mori Kitoron” and “Morinoyu Hanakagura.”

From the loft, guests can enjoy another distinct view. The symbolic birch tree used inside the villa was selected together with Ahken’s Mr. Fujiwara during a forest visit.

The beds offer a restful sleep reminiscent of being cradled in nature. Friends visiting from Osaka commented that they “slept better than they had in years.”

Marked by its blue signboard, AOSORA Terrace welcomes one group per night. If you wish to fully immerse yourself in Hokkaido’s atmosphere and enjoy slow, gentle time, this is the perfect place to stay.

Inquiries for reservations are also accepted via Instagram DM:
https://www.instagram.com/aosora_terrace/

What Inspired the Move from Osaka to Hokkaido?

Mr. Watanabe:
“When I was younger, I had a quiet dream of running a small guesthouse someday. But as I continued my busy career with frequent nationwide business trips, I suddenly realized I was already in my 50s. I could have worked until retirement, found a new job afterward, and continued on the same path—but I felt that taking on a completely new challenge in a new place might create a more exciting life for both myself and my wife.”

Why Higashikawa? A One-Month Trial Stay Was the Deciding Factor

Mr. Watanabe:
“At first, I was considering Biei Town for opening a guesthouse, since it’s one of Japan’s major tourist destinations. It’s ideal for attracting guests, but when imagining daily life, I felt it might be a bit too busy. Higashikawa, on the other hand, offered both beautiful nature and a peaceful Hokkaido lifestyle, along with excellent water quality and convenience.

During our one-month trial stay, we truly felt the beauty of the scenery, the vibrancy of the town, and how easy it was to live here. The helpful support from the town office also made the decision clear—we knew we wanted to relocate here.”

His wife also said, “If we’re going to live somewhere, it should be Higashikawa,” showing just how strongly the couple was drawn to the town.

Finding land with an uninterrupted view of the Daisetsuzan Mountains and the surrounding fields—free from power lines or nearby buildings—took them three years.

Then, suddenly, the perfect plot of land went up for sale. Their patience paid off, and the property matched their hopes exactly.

Making the Dream of a Guesthouse Come True — Why They Chose Ahken

With the land secured, the next step was building both their home and the guesthouse. They gathered information online and sent their requests to several construction companies.

Mr. Watanabe:
“The other companies’ proposals were all within the range I expected. But the plan from Mr. Ota at Ahken was far beyond anything I had imagined. It wasn’t just a good idea—it was double what I hoped for. That’s when I thought, ‘This is the one.’”

Another deciding factor was whether they could build a long-term relationship.

They had maintained a good relationship with the building company that constructed their previous home in Osaka, which reinforced the belief that “a home isn’t finished when it’s built.”

Meeting Ahken’s Mr. Fujiwara, Mr. Ota, and the carpenters at the site convinced them that Ahken was the right partner.

Their Home: A Place to Enjoy Higashikawa’s Landscape

A large picture window—designed to showcase Higashikawa’s ever-changing scenery—was one of Mr. Watanabe’s biggest requests. He now enjoys photographing the landscape throughout the year as a new hobby.

They were also able to install a wood stove, something they had wanted but couldn’t accommodate in their former Osaka home.

The flooring is birch. Friends visiting from Osaka often say, “It feels so good underfoot!”

For many people from outside Hokkaido, birch is symbolic of the region. Using it generously had been one of Mr. Watanabe’s dreams. The birch tree displayed near the staircase also creates a distinctly Hokkaido atmosphere.

Standing on the second-floor walkway offers yet another unique view of the surroundings.

Mr. Watanabe says his life is now far less stressful than it was in Osaka. Friends often come to visit, continuing the meaningful connections he has valued for many years.

He adds,
“Ahken supported us in so many ways beyond just building the house.”
Thanks to their guidance, the Watanabe family succeeded in achieving both their relocation to Hokkaido and the opening of their dream guesthouse.

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For inquiries to Arken Co., Ltd., please click here.