In Episode 22 of the Snow Country Stories Japan podcast we head north of Nagano City to the small rural village of Nukui. Near the border of Niigata Prefecture, Nukui is quiet community and a place of heavy snow, and it is here that we find craftsman and musician Gianpaolo Camplese. Originally from Italy, Gianpaolo moved to the snow country in search for a home for his family, eventually discovering a rundown ‘kominka’ (traditional farmhouse) in Nukui.
Finding, Fixing & Furnishing a Home in the Snow Country with Craftsman Gianpaolo Camplese / Nereto Woodwork
Gianpaolo and his wife bought a house in poor condition and embarked on a renovation process that continues today. In this episode we speak about Gianpaolo’s journey from Italy to the snow country of Japan, why he loves it, where and how he found their home, and the process of buying and fixing it. The interview was conducted in the house looking outward to the snow while a wood stove kept us warm. Let’s just say its places and chats like these that sum up why I love life in the snow country.
Known as ‘akiya’ in Japanese, abandoned or empty homes are found throughout the country with estimates ranging from 8 to 11 million houses currently unoccupied. Local municipalities are required to maintain databases of akiya in the area that are available purchase or rent, with purchase prices often being exceptionally low. While it is important to note that Gianpaolo did not find his house through the local akiya bank, making use of such databases leads many to find houses to buy. With that in mind, if you are interested in searching for a house in the area, the Nagano Prefecture and Iiyama City akiya banks are a good place to begin – noting that the websites are in Japanese.
Gianpaolo is a woodworker who makes beautiful bespoke timber furniture under the name of Nereto Woodwork. As we discuss in our interview, he fills commissions for clients in the area including the many guesthouses and lodges of the surrounding ski resorts along with private residences. Should you be interested in discussing a commission with him, you can contact Gianpaolo via his Instagram.
We discuss Gianpaolo’s work as a furniture-maker in the second half of the interview along with his wonderful music. A drummer and composer, Gianpaolo spent many years working in Berlin as a musician. You can listen to his wonderfully atmospheric music on both his personal website and Soundcloud.
The interview was recorded in Gianpaolo’s home. I’d like to say a very big thank you to him for welcoming me in and I hope our chat inspires you to consider a life lived better out here in the snow country!
Nereto Woodwork
https://www.instagram.com/nereto_woodwork/
Nagano Prefecture Akiya Bank
https://nagano-akiyabank.jp/search/
Iiyama City Akiya Bank
https://furusato-iiyama.net/akiyabank/
Gianpaolo Camplese Music
https://www.gianpaolocamplese.com/
Soundcloud