Tobetsu Countryside Housing (Tobetsu Denen Jutaku 当別田園住宅), is a project led by local firm Tsujino Construction Ltd. Having purchased a track of disused railway track from JR Hokkaido going from the Kanazawa area to the Nakagoya area, the company has now built a number of houses on the strip of land. They use local wood, incorporate passive ventilation systems alongside wood-burning stoves, and design the buildings with lots of customer input. We have interviewed some of the residents to hear their thoughts and give you a better picture of what life in rural Tobetsu is like.
Sato Tatsu
A local mayoral candidate and father of two children, Sato-san has lived in his current house for over 10 years.
Kadowaki Kimitsu
The very first resident of Tobetsu Countryside Housing, Kadowaki-san has lived in a house crafted by Tsujino Construction Ltd for the last 25 years. He loves camping, and fly fishing, and works in the livestock industry.