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- Living in Harmony with Nature: A Unique Community Project in Tsukuba
Living in Harmony with Nature: A Unique Community Project in Tsukuba
Imagine waking up each morning to the gentle rustle of leaves, stepping out onto your wooden deck to be greeted by a carefully curated natural environment that seamlessly blends your private space with a shared green oasis. This isn't just a dream—it's the reality being created in Tsukuba's innovative Kurakake residential project, where three adjacent homes come together to form one harmonious environmental experience.
A Revolutionary Approach to Suburban Living
"Living in Harmony with Nature" isn't just the project's tagline—it's a philosophy that permeates every aspect of this thoughtfully designed community. Unlike traditional housing developments where high fences create isolated islands of privacy, this project embraces a more communal approach to green living. The three plots work together to create a unified landscape where residents can enjoy not just their own garden space, but the collective beauty of their neighbors' environments as well.
The inspiration comes from a previously completed project under the same concept, where mature plantings now demonstrate the long-term vision. In those reference photos, you can see how four seasons of greenery create an ever-changing backdrop for daily life, with large barriers intentionally omitted to allow the natural environment to flow freely between properties.

Architectural Design That Embraces the Outdoors
The reference building plans reveal a home designed from the ground up to maximize the connection with nature. Two semi-outdoor spaces—featuring wooden decks and earthen floor areas—are strategically positioned on both the front and back of the home, creating multiple opportunities to step outside and immerse yourself in the green environment.
These transitional spaces serve as natural extensions of the living areas, particularly the main living room, which can seamlessly flow onto the outdoor deck. The design recognizes that when you're surrounded by such beautiful greenery, you'll naturally want to spend time outside, whether it's morning coffee on the deck, afternoon reading in the garden, or evening gatherings under the stars.
Custom Design Freedom: Since these aren't pre-built spec homes, each family can work with Shibaki Lumber to modify the floor plan according to their specific needs and lifestyle. The company specializes in reading the external environment and creating designs that maximize natural forces—a crucial skill for a project so intimately connected to its surroundings.

Natural Materials Create a Gentle Atmosphere
The interior specifications reflect the project's commitment to natural living. Solid wood flooring throughout the home provides warmth and authenticity underfoot, while wall materials made from recycled eggshells create unique textures and demonstrate the project's environmental consciousness. These natural materials work together to create what the developers describe as a "gentle atmosphere"—a space that feels calm, grounded, and inherently healthy.

The Green Environment: More Than Just Landscaping
Creating the lush environment shown in the reference photos requires significant investment and expertise. The landscaping and planting budget of ¥5.5 million (approximately $37,000 USD) reflects the serious commitment to establishing a mature, sustainable ecosystem from day one.
But the support doesn't end at move-in. Regular landscaping workshops are organized for residents, ensuring that everyone learns proper plant care techniques and can contribute to maintaining the community's green vision. This educational component transforms neighbors into collaborative stewards of their shared environment.

Location: Tsukuba's Strategic Advantage
The Kurakake area of Tsukuba offers an appealing balance of accessibility and tranquility. While the immediate neighborhood requires a car or bicycle for daily shopping—a common reality in Japanese suburban areas—the connection to Tokyo remains remarkably convenient.
Transportation: The Tsukuba Express provides a direct, transfer-free connection to Asakusa in central Tokyo, with journey times under one hour. For commuters, this represents an excellent compromise: peaceful suburban living with reasonable access to the capital's business districts.
The gentle slope of the front road adds topographical interest to the neighborhood while maintaining easy access for vehicles and pedestrians.

Investment Perspective and Practical Considerations
Building Costs: The reference plan building is priced at ¥41.8 million (approximately $280,000 USD), with the additional ¥5.5 million for landscaping bringing the total building investment to ¥47.3 million (roughly $317,000 USD). Land prices range from ¥32.5 million to ¥33.2 million (approximately $218,000-$223,000 USD) depending on the specific plot.
Building Requirements: The land sale includes a construction condition requiring buyers to work with Shibaki Lumber for both design and construction. However, this isn't a limitation—it's an assurance that the home will be designed by professionals who understand the project's environmental philosophy and have experience maximizing natural site advantages.
Timeline: Buyers have three months from the land purchase contract to finalize the building contract. If construction agreements aren't reached within this timeframe, the land sale contract becomes void and all payments are returned—providing security for buyers.

The Ideal Residents
This project will particularly appeal to families and individuals who:
Value environmental consciousness and want their daily life to reflect sustainable principles
Appreciate community connection without sacrificing privacy
Seek a slower pace of life while maintaining Tokyo accessibility for work or cultural activities
Want to be involved in creating and maintaining their living environment rather than simply purchasing a finished product
Understand that great design takes time and are excited about the process of customizing their home
Current Availability
Plot A: ¥33.2 million (311.23㎡ - approximately 3,350 sq ft) Plot B: ¥32.5 million (310.93㎡ - approximately 3,350 sq ft) Plot C: SOLD
The fact that one plot has already sold demonstrates market confidence in the concept while creating urgency for interested buyers.
A Living Investment in Community and Nature
This isn't just about buying a house—it's about joining a community experiment in sustainable, connected living. The developers recognize that we're entering an era where people want to actively participate in creating their environment rather than simply consuming pre-packaged solutions.
The project offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to grow attached to your home and surroundings because you've had a hand in creating them. In an age of rapid development and disposable housing, this represents a return to more meaningful, lasting relationships with place.

Property Details Summary
Project: "Living in Harmony with Nature" (四季の移ろいを紡ぐように)
Location: Kurakake, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Land Prices: ¥32.5M - ¥33.2M (approx. $218K-$223K USD)
Land Area: 310.93㎡ - 311.23㎡ (approx. 3,350 sq ft)
Building Cost: ¥41.8M (approx. $280K USD) - reference plan
Landscaping: ¥5.5M (approx. $37K USD)
Transportation: Tsukuba Express to Asakusa (under 1 hour, no transfers)
Local Access: 2.6km from Tsukuba Station (7 minutes by car)
Zoning: Residential adjustment area
Building Coverage: 60%
Floor Area Ratio: 200%
Utilities: Municipal water/sewer, city gas
Builder: Shibaki Lumber Co., Ltd. (required)
Special Features: Custom design, natural materials, community landscaping workshops
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