Awataguchi Base
A Triangular Haven near Nanzen-ji

A "Second Life" Sparked by a Stroke of Luck

"Maybe it’s finally time to build our 'base' in Kyoto."

Yuma Hayase muttered to himself as he finished his third espresso of the day. He had always been the type to pivot on a whim, but this time was different.A sudden surge in his stock portfolio had brought in a windfall—what some might call "easy money," but to him, it felt like an invitation.

His wife, Sae, kept a calm exterior, yet a quiet anticipation stirred within her. Ever since their daughter entered the workforce and moved out, Sae’s weekends had been filled with yoga and museum hopping. Life was good, but the thought of "designing a second act" had been crossing her mind more frequently.

That evening, while scrolling through social media, a photo of a quiet, weathered house caught her eye.

The Encounter: Awataguchi Base

"West of Nanzen-ji: Awataguchi Base."

Bathed in the morning sun, the house wasn't perfect, yet it was magnetic. Even through the screen, the "blank space" of its unrenovated state spoke to them.

"A triangular lot... that's interesting," Yuma mused.

"It says you can see Higashiyama from the window. I wonder if the morning light hits just right," Sae added.

What started as mild curiosity quickly turned into excitement as they read on: Bright 2nd-floor LDK. 1st-floor lounge/gallery. The ultimate Kyoto retreat.

"A gallery? I could finally display my collection," Sae laughed.

"And I’ll have a place for my wine," Yuma countered.

"There you go again, showing off," she teased.

Yuma loved the Kyoto social scene—attending parties and sharing his latest culinary finds on SNS.
But that "touch of vanity"—the desire to have something to be proud of—felt earned in this second half of life.

Before they knew it, they had clicked "Book a Viewing."

The Realization: Living the Culture

The following week, under a cloudless sky, a staff member from the real estate agency Hachise showed them the property. It felt even warmer than the photos.

The triangular house was compact, yet strangely nostalgic. A breeze swept through from the roads on both sides, casting soft shadows across the floor.

When they reached the second floor, Sae looked out the window.

There wasn't a grand, sweeping vista.

Instead, there was the "scent" of culture—the Kyocera Museum and the Okazaki cultural landmarks were just around the corner. The quiet dignity of the house synchronized perfectly with the neighborhood.

"This would make an incredible living room," Yuma said, arms crossed, studying the light.

"Walking to a museum whenever we want... isn't that the ultimate luxury?" Sae smiled.

"And the first floor?"

"A lounge or a gallery. Our friends would love it."

"See? Showing off again."

Yuma grinned. This house was big enough to hold their aspirations and their "pride."

It was the start of a new life, woven into the cultural fabric of Okazaki.

The Decision: Embracing the Blank Space

As they stepped outside, the afternoon sun lengthened their shadows, overlapping with the silhouette of the house.

Yuma took a deep breath.

"Let's buy it."

Sae nodded.

"I feel like we can fill the 'blank spaces' here ourselves."

They had always been quick deciders.

But this wasn't an impulse.

It was a choice to embrace a soft, luxurious "extra space" in the later chapters of their lives.

Leaving their hesitations behind,
they stepped lightly toward the future.