Shimanami Kaido Portrait Sessions with Dani
The long wait is over. We’ve enjoyed three and a half years in Japan, building our business, renovating an abandoned…
Author: Dani Benton
Japan Data: Second Year of Benton Guesthouse
Well friends, here we are at the end of another year for Benton Guesthouse on Ōmishima island. Time continues to…
Business Manager Visa: Increased Requirements (and how it affects Benton Homestead)
As you probably already know, from following our channel, or from reading the news: the official changes to Japan’s Business…
First Harvest from Native Japanese Honeybee Colony
This is the perfect opportunity to attempt to return to somewhat regularly scheduled photo blogs. We recently had the wonderful…
Our Citrus Honey Harvest on NHK’s ‘Workpedia’!
We’ve been waiting very patiently to share our citrus honey harvest on NHK! The segment is called Workpedia, which is…
Startup Visa: New 2025 Changes (Coming Soon)
Since we started documenting our journey to Japan online, we have received lots and lots of questions from y’all about…
Japan Data: First Year of Benton Guesthouse
Well friends, time is flying by! It’s hard to believe it’s already been one year since we opened the doors…
Architectural Archeology; What’s Changed Since 1940?
A small house was built in 1940, then expanded to a ‘ryokan’ (inn) in 1955. It was expanded again in…
Growing Peppers in Japan
While we’re staying busy with many things, Evan has been nurturing his pepper plants all year. He planted them from…
Japan Data: What is the Real Estate Acquisition Tax?
This is the first in an upcoming series of short single-topic blogs. I feel compelled to share little helpful bites…
‘Danjiri Matsuri’ Festival in our Neighborhood
We’ve been documenting our experience moving to Japan, obtaining residency, and starting a business. But this is my first attempt…
Current Update & Next Steps
Let’s catch up! We recently took the time to film a longer conversation-style video, discussing where we are at this…
Full Product Lineup & Japan Mail Order!
Now that we’ve accomplished our two spring honey harvests, we’re happy to announce our full honey product lineup. Look at…
Our First Honey Harvest!
We’ve been working towards this moment for a very long time! Our first honey harvest in Japan! It’s been a…
Abandoned ‘Ryokan’ Garage: Antiques, Trash, and Treasure
We’ve been spending most of our time getting ready for springtime, and putting most of our energy into the honeybees…
Seedlings at Ōmishima’s Michi no Eki Farmer’s Markets
Our first little plant babes have arrived at both Michi no Eki Farmer’s Market locations on Ōmishima island. Fun! This…
Welcome, Honeybees!
We finally got our honeybees! Say hello to our thousands of new, tiny friends! These are the honeybee colonies we…
Saving Vintage Treasures: Online and Retail Shop!
While we’re working to get our farm and honeybees prepared for springtime, we’re happy to announce another fun venture. This…
Japan Data: “Akiya to AirBnB” General Process & Total Expense
Now that Benton Guesthouse is open and we have been welcoming guest for a few months, let’s reflect back on…
Japan Data: ‘Startup visa’ to ‘Business Manager visa’ Complete Process
!!! PLEASE NOTE! Japan’s Startup visa is going through some MAJOR changes! As of January 1, 2025: the Startup visa…
Mexico Data: House-Sitting and Travel by the Numbers
From the moment we pulled up our roots, packed up our car, and expatriated ourselves from the United States in…
Our Second ‘Akiya’ was Abandoned for 40 Years: Kitchen & Guest Rooms
Somehow I haven’t posted about our second ‘akiya’ abandoned house on the blog yet! With everything that’s been keeping us…
Honeybee Apiary (#2) & Abandoned Land Preparation
Hello again, friends! After receiving our 1-year Business Manager visa extension, the day after Christmas, we took some time to…
Progress Report: Startup Visa & One Year Renewal!
We did it!!! We arrived in Japan in February, received a Startup Visa in June, incorporated our business in August,…
Benton Guesthouse: Now Open! Before and After
We’re happy to announce that Benton Guesthouse is now available for bookings on AirBnB! After bringing this house back to…
Akiya Renovation: Almost Ready!
Hello, friends! It’s been a little while since we shared a full photo blog, or YouTube video for that matter,…
Akiya Renovation: Little by Little “Bochi Bochi”
We’ve nearly reached the halfway mark of our 6-month Startup Business visa timeframe, and I’m very happy to say that…
Akiya Renovation: Mid-Remodel Walkthrough
Take a look inside our akiya! We’ve been renovating for a few months, and still have a few months to…
Dash-Cam Driving Japan: Ōmishima & Shimanami Kaido
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive through Japan? Thanks to our trusty dash-cam, and our…
Akiya Renovation: Major Work Begins
It’s been just under a month since we moved in, and the time has been more like glorified camping than…
Honeybee Apiary (#1) Preparation
We have a lot of irons in the fire: the process of incorporating our business, living in our akiya during…
Akiya Renovation: Getting Started on the House
Now that we’ve purchased the house (hooray!), and finished organizing all the former owner’s belongings, we’re ready to get started…
Norainu: Feeding & Befriending Street Dogs in Japan
I’m willing to bet that “Japan” and “street dogs” are not necessarily two words you thought would go together. But…
Akiya Renovation: Sorting Items Left Behind
We’re only in the very beginning stages of renovating this house. It’s a great little house with a big garage…
Akiya Renovation: Pruning the Side Yard
Today we’re looking at one of Evan’s favorite hobbies: pruning! We spent two work days cleaning up the side yard,…