A little over 100 years old, Kinkei belonged to a family that sold oil for a living. Alex Kerr chose this farmhouse for its evocative location. Its position just beyond a creek with a gurgling river running in front of the house and an old wooden bridge the previous owner crossed to get home all create a nostalgic atmosphere.

The river view from the porch is not the only scenery guests can enjoy, though. From the farmhouse, you have a fantastic view of the entire Yatsugatake Mountain Range. Looking at the beautiful silhouette of the Yatsugatake while lying in bed or relaxing on the sofa is one of the greatest appeals of this house.

Another highlight of Kinkei is the ceiling - or rather the absence of it. The bone structure of the house made of beams and pillars is older than the roof’s wooden planks, which creates a beautiful contrast of burnished black on light brown. To accentuate this feature, all ceilings have been removed except one.