Renovated Family Home in Hida City with Eco-Friendly Features
This property is a renovated two-generation family home located in Kamiimamachi, Kamioka-cho, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture. The renovation was undertaken in conjunction with sewerage works and included comprehensive seismic retrofitting. To ensure earthquake resistance, structural plywood and diagonal bracing were installed in key areas on both the first and second floors.
The interior finishes showcase quality materials. The flooring features solid cherry birch, while the walls and ceilings are clad in pine paneling. A key feature of the home is the adoption of a biomass energy pellet stove for heating. This eco-friendly appliance provides a gentle warmth and a faint, pleasant aroma of burning wood pellets that spreads throughout the living area.
The renovation also focused on the kitchen and storage. The homeowner requested a spacious face-to-face kitchen layout, which was installed along with a dish cupboard offering ample storage capacity. Other notable details include attractive tiling in the entrance area and a sliding toilet door made from local cedar wood. Additional storage was cleverly added with adjustable shelving installed under the staircase.
The property is situated in the historic Kamioka area of Hida City, a region renowned for its traditional craftsmanship and stunning mountain scenery. An interesting local fact is that the nearby Kamioka Mine was once a major source of silver and is now famous for the Super-Kamiokande neutrino observatory located deep underground. The area offers access to numerous outdoor activities, with the iconic Northern Japan Alps and the historic village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, being within driving distance.