A New Home with Old Soul: Discovering Craft Life in Iruma City

The Story Behind the Space

This isn't just another new construction property—it's the flagship home of a beloved local construction company's vision for community-centered living. Built as a model home for their "Craft Life Town" development, this residence was designed specifically to accommodate both family life and small-scale entrepreneurship, with the main living spaces thoughtfully positioned on the second floor and the ground level crafted to welcome neighborhood commerce.

What makes this property truly special isn't just its thoughtful design, but its soul. The centerpiece of the second-floor living room features magnificent beams salvaged from a Taisho-era storehouse, bringing nearly a century of character into this brand-new space. It's this kind of attention to heritage and craftsmanship that sets the entire development apart.

A Walkthrough That Tells a Story

Ground Floor: Where Business Meets Welcome

Enter through the front door, and you're immediately greeted by an expansive doma (earthen floor entrance) that flows into a passage leading to a stairway hall, beyond which lies a semi-outdoor corridor connecting to a separate building. This isn't your typical residential layout—it's been specifically designed for those who dream of integrating a small business into their daily lives.

The ground-floor commercial space offers endless possibilities. Whether you envision opening just on weekends or maintaining flexible weekday hours, the setup allows for stress-free entrepreneurship right from your home base. The thoughtful separation between public and private spaces means you can maintain clear boundaries between work and family life.

Second Floor: Living with Character

Ascend to the second floor, and you'll discover why this space feels so special. Large windows fill the rooms with natural light, while the carefully selected wooden fixtures and frames create warm, inviting spaces with beautiful sight lines throughout.

The living room is the true star of the home. Those Taisho-era beams we mentioned? They're not just decorative—they create a cathedral-like sense of space while grounding the room in history. Built-in storage and media console surfaces showcase the same quality wood craftsmanship found throughout the home, creating cohesive design that feels both sophisticated and livable.

Living with Authenticity: The Good and the Honest

The Train Track Reality

Let's address the elephant in the room—or rather, the train beside the house. The property sits alongside railway tracks, which means train sounds are part of daily life. While quality windows and construction help minimize the noise, potential residents should understand this acoustic reality before falling in love.

But here's the thing about train proximity that many people don't consider: There's something quite pleasant about watching trains pass by through those large windows. For some, the gentle rhythm of passing trains becomes a comforting soundtrack to daily life, marking time and connecting you to the larger world beyond your neighborhood.

Pristine Condition, Ready for Life

Despite serving as a model home, this property has never been occupied, meaning all systems and finishes remain in excellent condition. You're getting the benefit of a thoughtfully designed and constructed space without the wear that comes from daily living.

The Craft Life Town Community

A Neighborhood in the Making

The surrounding area isn't your typical suburban subdivision. Instead of big box stores and chain restaurants, you'll find individual shops scattered throughout the community. Within the development itself, new businesses are already planned: a café, an Italian restaurant, and other small enterprises are scheduled to open next spring.

The construction company that developed the area maintains offices and workshops on-site, along with a shop specializing in vintage furniture and interior goods. This creates a unique ecosystem where craftsmanship, community, and commerce intersect naturally.

Location and Connectivity

Practical Details You Need to Know:

• Address: Kagiyama, Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture

• Transportation: 24-minute walk to Iruma-shi Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line)

• Property Size: 110.54㎡ (approximately 1,190 sq ft)

• Lot Size: 164.88㎡ (approximately 1,775 sq ft)

• Construction: 2023 (Wood frame, 2 stories)

While the station requires a bit of a walk, the neighborhood character more than compensates. Rather than being surrounded by dense residential development, you'll find yourself in an area where individual shops and creative businesses are beginning to flourish.

Investment and Lifestyle Perspective

The Numbers That Matter

Listed at ¥55 million (approximately $370,000 USD), this property offers remarkable value for several reasons:

• No monthly management fees or repair reserves (typical of many condominiums)

• Brand new construction with warranty coverage

• Unique design not found in typical suburban developments

• Live-work flexibility increasingly valuable in today's economy

• Community momentum with planned commercial development

Who Will Love This Home

This property calls to a specific type of person:

• Creative entrepreneurs who want to test business ideas without major overhead

• Remote workers who appreciate thoughtful design and community connection

• Families seeking alternatives to cookie-cutter suburban living

• Anyone drawn to the maker movement and artisanal lifestyle

• Investors looking for properties with unique value propositions

The ability to incorporate small-scale commerce into daily life—perhaps working weekdays and opening your shop only on weekends—offers a freedom that traditional residential properties simply can't match.

The Craft Life Philosophy

More Than Just a Home

What sets this property apart isn't just its physical characteristics, but what it represents. In an era where remote work and entrepreneurial flexibility are increasingly valued, this home offers a platform for a different kind of life.

The rich material palette—abundant wood, earthen floors, and expressive diatomaceous earth plaster finishes—creates an environment that celebrates natural textures and artisanal craftsmanship. Living here means surrounding yourself with materials that age beautifully and connect you to traditional Japanese building practices.

Building Community, One Business at a Time

The broader Craft Life Town development represents something rare in modern Japan: a intentionally designed community where small-scale commerce is not just permitted but encouraged. As neighboring properties develop their own cafés, restaurants, and shops, residents become part of a genuine neighborhood economy.

Ready to Craft Your Life?

This isn't a property for everyone—and that's exactly what makes it special. It's for people who see a house not just as shelter, but as a platform for the life they want to build. Whether that includes a weekend pottery studio, a small café, a consulting practice, or simply a beautifully crafted place to call home, this property offers the infrastructure to support your vision.

The combination of historical character through those magnificent Taisho-era beams, modern amenities and construction, flexible live-work spaces, and a community committed to craftsmanship creates an opportunity that's genuinely unique in today's market.

Property Summary:

• Price: ¥55,000,000

• Size: 110.54㎡ (building) / 164.88㎡ (land)

• Year Built: 2023

• Special Features: Historic Taisho-era beams, live-work design, pristine condition

• Community: Craft Life Town development with planned commercial spaces

• Transportation: Seibu Ikebukuro Line access

Important Disclaimer

We are a property matching service and have no direct affiliation with the real estate agency or agent associated with this property listing. We do not receive any commission or compensation from the sale of this property should you choose to pursue a purchase. Our role is purely to connect potential buyers with available properties and provide informational content to assist in your property search.

For all inquiries, transactions, and official property details, please contact the listed agent or agency directly. HERE