Swedish couple swaps dream Swedish home for a restored Japanese countryside house

Sia and Mikael Lilja spent twelve years together, marrying four years ago, and in 2020 bought land near Malmö to build a family home, moving in by the end of 2023. As IVF delays and changing life goals made the large house feel excessive, they reconsidered their future and recalled a 2019 Asian tour that sparked a love for the region. A 2025 visit to Japan confirmed their interest, and after selling their Swedish property they secured an old, well-maintained house within a 90-minute drive of Kyoto for roughly 8 million yen.

They left their jobs, moved in May 2026, and spent weeks adapting to the new environment, learning Japanese labels, and receiving help from welcoming neighbors. While awaiting their dog's vaccination paperwork, they plan to return to Japan in September to continue renovations at a relaxed pace and explore the country with their pet.