Ten Years After Relocating to Ikeda, Tokachi: A Relaxed Senior Life Surrounded by Nature and Warmhearted People — Mr. and Mrs. O

Against the wide blue skies of Hokkaido stands a charming home with a bright red triangular roof. This is the home of Mr. and Mrs. O, who moved to Ikeda Town in Tokachi from Gifu Prefecture in 2015.

On a winter day in 2026, ten years after their relocation, we visited the couple to hear the story behind their move to Hokkaido and the life they have built in Ikeda.

Aiming to relocate after retirement, they took part in several trial stays in Hokkaido before making the move.

Originally from Aichi Prefecture, Mr. O had long loved Hokkaido and visited many times on trips from a young age. Each time he returned home, he found himself reluctant to leave, wishing he could stay just a little longer.

After retirement, he decided he wanted to make the dream permanent—but first, he wanted to experience a Hokkaido winter for himself. The couple joined several “trial stay” programs, spending anywhere from two weeks to several months in different towns, including Nanae, Yakumo, and Toyokoro.

“When we stayed in a detached house in Nanae during winter, the heating was so good it almost felt too warm,” Mr. O recalls with a laugh. “That’s when I realized we could comfortably live here year-round.”

The couple eventually spent a summer in Toyokoro Town, where they fell in love with Tokachi’s sweeping landscapes.

“The scenery was incredible,” says Mr. O. “We also heard that winters in Tokachi tend to be sunny and stable, so we decided to look for land in the area.”

Mrs. O remembers another reason Ikeda immediately felt right.

“This property was close to supermarkets and hospitals, so it was very convenient. But what really stayed with us was the warmth of the people. We happened to chat with a neighbor while looking at the land, and they were so friendly that it became one of the deciding factors. Now we’re close enough to go out together regularly.”

Trust Made the Difference: Building the Triangular-Roofed Home They Had Always Dreamed Of

After finding the land, the couple was introduced by an acquaintance to Mr. Tadashi Akasaka, president of Akasaka Kensetsu, a long-established local builder that has been serving Ikeda Town for more than a century.

At first, the couple had actually planned to build with a major housing manufacturer, and the project had already reached the soil survey stage. But after meeting Mr. Akasaka, they changed course.

Having spent many years working as an engineer at a civil engineering company, Mr. O had met countless technicians and business leaders throughout his career. He says he quickly recognized Mr. Akasaka’s sincerity and professionalism.

“We really clicked when we talked,” he says. “I felt this was someone I could trust.”

That trust made it possible to build the home they had always imagined—a classic triangular-roofed house that felt perfectly suited to Tokachi.

“If you’re going to live in Tokachi, a triangular roof just feels right,” says Mrs. O with a smile.

The sloped roof is equipped with 4.26kW solar panels, helping the couple keep utility costs down not only in summer, but during winter as well.

As the deadline for their trial stay approached and the couple prepared to return temporarily to Gifu, Mr. Akasaka quickly put together a design proposal. The Os, known for making decisions quickly and generously trusting the people around them, approved the plan almost entirely as it was, requesting only that the home be two stories.

Still, the design was far from arbitrary. Through careful conversations, the couple’s wishes were thoughtfully reflected in every detail.

For example, the master bedroom on the first floor connects directly through a walk-in closet to the utility area and water facilities, creating an easy and efficient flow through the house.

The bathroom and toilet were designed barrier-free and spacious, with future accessibility in mind—not only for themselves as they age, but also for visiting family and friends.

“In all my years, Mr. and Mrs. O are the only clients who never came to see the house during construction,” Mr. Akasaka says with amazement. It speaks volumes about the trust they placed in him.

Ten Years On: Enjoying Life in Hokkaido to the Fullest

Now, ten years after moving to Ikeda, the couple have fully settled into the rhythm of life in Tokachi.

Mrs. O joined a local country dance circle, while summer is spent tending their home vegetable garden. Freshly harvested vegetables from the garden make their evening drinks taste even better, Mr. O says with obvious delight.

When asked whether they worry about healthcare or nursing care as they move through their seventies, the couple answers calmly.

“We’re both healthy, and the hospital is nearby. Even looking at the wider region, the medical system here is excellent, so we’re not too worried,” they say. “The people in town and our neighbors are incredibly kind, and we’ve built so many wonderful connections here. We’re also grateful that Mr. Akasaka still drops by from time to time to check in on us.”

In fact, the couple loved life in Hokkaido so much that, even though their daughters live in Aichi Prefecture, they had not once returned there after relocating. Only recently, after ten years, have they started talking about making a visit.

That may say everything about how deeply they have come to love life in Ikeda Town.

Guided by instinct and the connections they encountered along the way, Mr. and Mrs. O found not only a new hometown, but also a house where they can truly feel at ease. Through friendships with local residents and everyday moments surrounded by Tokachi’s nature, they have created a rich and joyful new chapter in life.

Interview conducted in January 2026
Photos: Commercial Photo / Movie SWITCH

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