Who is Maigo Mika?

I’m a Japan-based YouTuber living in rural Japan.

I am a Canadian YouTuber currently living in an akiya house, one of Japan’s many abandoned or vacant homes. I create videos sharing glimpses into our everyday life in the “inaka” countryside, share renovation updates on our old Japanese house, gardening, and other updates of what makes life so wonderful here.

Our Story

We took our first steps into Japanese life in 2018, arriving as English teachers and establishing ourselves in a small town on Kyushu island. Then, our lives took an unexpected and wonderful turn in 2021 when Jesse took a job at a blacksmith shop on the island of Shikoku.

Arriving in this beautiful but rural place in Kochi Prefecture, we were helped by local friends who helped us find and rent this 100-year-old akiya house.

YouTube Journey

My YouTube career launched when my first video, chronicling our move into an akiya (abandoned house) in Japan, went viral. With over 3 million views, I continue to share snippets of our daily life in the Japanese countryside.

This includes delicious recipes I’ve learned from our neighbours, sharing the sense of community in our rural area, gardening, DIY projects to keep our old house cozy and functional, and navigating employment and visa processes in Japan, among other subjects.