“Yodoe Project” is a story about the “Imazu-Tanakaya”,
a guesthouse created from the current owner's parents' house.
Imazu-Tanakaya is located at Yodoe-Cho Imazu in the city of Yonago, Tottori Prefecture.
The Tanaka family has owned this house since it was built more than 90 years ago.
Yoko Tanaka, the oldest child of the former owner, Shigeru Tanaka, inherited the house when her father passed away.
She decided to renovate the house while she was still living in Osaka.
First, an annex was renovated to make a guesthouse out of it, but she was at a loss for how to use the main building.
Everything started changing after Kumiko Sahara introduced Shota Nozaki, A.K.A., the Neo Carpenter, to Yoko in the winter of 2018.
Many people came and went to the house and participated in the renovations for years.
Then, Yoko finally decided to come back to her hometown in Tottori.
A bright future suddenly interrupted by the unknown pandemic called COVID-19.
When does the construction end?
Or does it not?
This is the story about the Kominka having a second life as a guesthouse.
Yoko Tanaka (Yoko)
Born and raised in Yodoe, Tottori Prefecture.
She owns “Yodoe Inn – Imazu Tanakaya” and founded “Yodoe Project.”
Since 2006, she has also owned and operated Wolisu, Ltd., which provides IT utilization support and management consulting services to small business owners.
After her father passed away in September of 2017, her parents’ home became vacant. She and her younger brother discussed how to utilize it.
At the middle of Yodoe Project, she left Osaka where she had lived for 34 years, to return to her hometown.
Kumiko Sahara (Kumiko)
Born and raised in Mie Prefecture and lives in Osaka.
The owner of Sahara Soken and mainly doing activities in Kansai Region.
She always give great advice to people.
Her passion is devoted to handsome guys and martial arts.
She and Yoko met at the SALTVALLEY Project, which renovated an old building in Osaka.
She introduced Shokichi, the Neo-Carpenter, to Yoko when she was struggling with how to utilize her parents’ home.
Kumiko has near professional-level cooking skills.
Shota Nozaki (Shokichi)
Born and raised in Minou, Osaka. Project leader of Yodoe Project.
Centered around Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, he works on interior construction for stores and residences. He also manages “Noma”, an architect group.
He is also a member of “Maeda Bunka” (Maeda Culture). This group performs at Bunka Jutaku, a type of apartment complex popular in the Kinki region during the 1950s and 1960s.
Yodoe Project officially started because he offered to get involved with all the renovations, from cleanup to completion.
Shotaro Miyahara (Shotaro)
Born in Tokyo and raised in Hong Kong.
A leading member of “Party Kenchiku” (Party Construction), a group that travels around Japan and renovates vacant houses.
After settling in Hamamura, Tottori, he launched a construction business called “Reiwa Kensetsu” to get closer to his concept of ideal architecture. He also runs “Café Miracle,” and organize events like "Donten Yagai."
Teruko Yoshida (Teru-chan)
Born and raised in Yonago.
Her “Kimito Design Studio” designs and constructs residential stores, renovates old buildings, provides property utilization consulting, and plans and manages events and workshops. Her two-year-old daughter, Touka, is beloved by all of the project members.
Teruko started getting involved in the Yodoe Project regarding permit-related matters by Shokichi’s invitation. Yoko's excellent supporter.
Satoshi Morita / Kohei Kawazu
(Morisato/Yuttie)
They were born and raised in Yonago. They are childhood friends who traveled all over Japan by hitchhiking. Through these experiences, they met and became friends with many people, and Shokichi was one of them.
They participated in Yodoe Project from 1st Round.
They participated in the Community Studio of Yonago, which aims to make Tottori Prefecture the best place to live in Japan. They also create video and photo content and make an original blend of coffee.
Mr. & Mrs. Yamanaka
He and his wife have always been part-time farmers and continue doing so even after their retirement. They also raise cows, make Hadekake rice, and dive in the ocean.
When Yoko was about to start weed-whacking one day, he offered to do it. He is so good at it that he finished it in no time. Then, his wife plowed the soil using a tractor. Yoko owes them for her happy and pleasant farming life. They are very friendly, easy-going, and reliable people. They always advise Yoko on how to plant/grow vegetables.
Kazuo Maeda (Mr. Maeda)
He and his wife were very good friends with Yoko’s parents. The Maedas and Yoko’s parents were the same age. Until Yoko settled back in Yodoe, they often visited the house to check on it, weed whack, and manage Yoko’s family grave. Mr. Maeda and the project members are very good friends. He takes care of things in Yoko’s shed and also teaches her how to use them.
Tetsuji Oshita (Mr. Oshita)
He owns and runs “Mei-chan Farm” near Yodoe Inn – Imazu Tanakaya. While raising several goats, he produces and sells goat milk products such as cheese, cake, and soft-serve ice creams. Many young people who are interested in agriculture and farming visit his place. To protect the farmland, he registered the trademark rights for the rice flour “Yonekko Monogatari” in 2020. He also started an initiative for rice flour production and sales to consolidate farmland, educate young people who want to be involved with agriculture, and help them get jobs.
Episode 01
September 2017
Episode 02
No One will Buy Unless the Old House is Demolished?
November 2017
Episode 03
Inheritance Procedure Completed! What Is the Future of Japanese Agriculture?
June 2018
Episode 04
Earthquake and Typhoon Hit Osaka
June & September 2018
Episode 05
Let's Turn the Annex Into a Guesthouse!
September 2018
Episode 06
How Much Is the Estimate for Professional Cleaning?
November 2018
Episode 07
Wonderful Visit of Kumiko and Shokichi
November 2018
Episode 08
In the Cold Rain, Yodoe Project Has Started
December 2018（Yodoe Project 1st Round）
Episode 09
Received a Simple Lodging Facility Permission for Annex
January 2019
Episode 10
Cleaning, Cleaning, Cleaning! Found Ancient Documents and a Voulting Box!
January 2019（Yodoe Project 2nd Round）
Episode 11
Old Documents From the Edo Period and Wifi-Connected Electronic Lock
February 2019
Episode 12
Habucchi & Gon Also Joined! From Cleanup to Demolition
March 2019（Yodoe Project 3rd Round）
Episode 13
Local Concerns and the Decision To Relocate
April 2019
Episode 14
Where Am I? Mitchie's Southern Indian Cuisine
May 2019（Yodoe Project 4th Round）
Episode 15
Danish Jacob's Experience in Yodoe And Meeting Morisato and Yuttie
June 2019
Episode 16
Mr. Yamamoto's BBQ in the Garden and Atsuko's Arrival
July 2019（Yodoe Project 5th Round）
Episode 17
Imazu Odaiba Festival and Song "Furusato"/ Mr.Yatsuda's Summer Plastering
August 2019
Episode 18
Hitomusubi, a Visiting Rice Ball Shop / Shu Joining the Team / Yutaro Becomes a Gardener
September 2019（Yodoe Project 6th Round）
Episode 19
Is This Shimenawa Rope Workshop? / Deck is Completed!
December 2019（Yodoe Project 7th Round）
Episode 20
Preparing for Move / Lots of Memento
February 2020（Yodoe Project 8th Round）
Episode 21
Mukibanda Ruins and Backyard BBQ
March 2020（Yodoe Project 9th Round - 1）
Episode 22
Where Did the Sink Go? Kitchen and Western-Style Room Completed!
March 2020（Yodoe Project 9th Round - 2）
Episode 23
Secret Moving During the Pandemic
April 2020
Episode 24
Good Bye, Tsukamoto Office and Osaka
May 2020 (Yodoe Project 10th Round)
Episode 25
Hermit Life, Remote Work, and Welcoming of Insects / Yuka’s Piano
June 2020 (Yodoe Project 11th Round)
Episode 26
Super Helper for the First-Year Agricultural Student
June 2020
Episode 27
Yutaro’s Gardening Work in the Heavy Rain / The Future of the Yodoe Project
July 2020 (Yodoe Project 12th Round)）
Episode 28
Can We Make a Simple Lodging Facility With the Main House? Help Me, Teru-Chan!
September 2020
Episode 29
Cleanup Still Continues…
October 2020 (Yodoe Project 13th Round)
Episode 30
The Good Usage of 24mm Plywood From Tsukamoto Office
October 2020 (Yodoe Project 14th Round)
Episode 31
Relocation of the Buddhism Altar and Perfect Recreation
November 2020 (Yodoe Project 15th Round)
Episode 32
Maintenance of Over 50-Year-Old Piano
November 2020
Episode 33
Want to Meet Seko-san!? / Obtaining Simple Lodging and Restaurant Business Licenses!
November 2020
Episode 34
The Ceiling of Western-Style Room / Higucchan’s Chair Remake!
December 2020 (Yodoe Project 16th Round)
Episode 35
On the Snowy Day, the Logo for Yodoe Inn – Imazu Tanakaya Was Decided (Created by ameno-design)
December 2020
Episode 36
“Enjoy!” Otto’s Hungarian Cuisine
January 2021
Episode 37
Produced by Shokichi! Unique Bunk Beds in the Western-Style Room!
January 2021 (Yodoe Project 17th Round)
Episode 38
Thanks to Shotaro and Sumichie, Homepage & Western-Style Room Completed!
February and March 2021 (Yodoe Project 18th & 19th Rounds)
Episode 39
The First Guest of the Main House Was... The Origin of Yoko’s Journey and Unexpected Connection From 35 Years Ago.
March 2021
Episode 40
It’s Finally Done! An Unveiling Party for Locals with the Cooperation of Chinattie, Kome-Oyogu, and Onigiri-kun
April 2021
Episode 41
An Iron Fall-Prevention Fence by Hana-Kobo
April 2021 (Yodoe Project 20th Round)
Episode 42
Wonderful Bicycle Storage With Shotaro’s Upcycle Idea!
May 2021 (Yodoe Project 22th Round)
Episode 43
The Youngest Member, Taku-kun Joined! Upgrading the Ceiling of the Western-Style Room
May & June 2021 (Yodoe Project 21st & 23rd)
Episode 44
Exciting Start of the Edo-Style Room Renovation: Kyo-Chan’s Wall Demolition!
October, November, & December 2021 (Yodoe Project 24th, 25th, & 26th Rounds)
Episode 45
Participation of Ren & Nerome, the DIY University Students! The Walls and Ceiling of the Home Office Became Pure White!
December 2021 (Yodoe Project 26th Round)
Episode 46
The Ceiling of the Edo-Style Room, Too! First-Time Participation of Takato-San From Reiwa Construction Team! /Irori Fireplace Is Completed!
January 2022 (Yodoe Project 27th, 28th, & 29th Rounds)
Episode 47
The Wall Renovation of the Edo-Style Room Under Shotaro’s Lead! DIY with Everyone, Including Youngest Member Kana-chan!
January 2022 (Yodoe Project 29th Round)
Episode 48
Kamado Stove Creation by Mr. Yatsuda and Edo-Style Windows Creation by Habucchi!
February 2022 (Yodoe Project 30th Round)
