A new satoyama afternoon tea salon called YOHAKU SALON is preparing to open in Yamazoe Village, Nara Prefecture, inside a renovated old farmhouse. Nichijo Seisakusho Co., Ltd., led by CEO Yumeko Yamanaka, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund the opening. The project is running on CAMPFIRE (https://camp-fire.jp/projects/958521) through November 30, 2026, with a target amount of ¥500,000.
Background and Purpose of the Project
View from inside the salon (image)
Yamazoe Village in Nara Prefecture is known as one of the leading tea-producing areas of Okuyamato, with lush mountains and tea fields preserving a traditional satoyama landscape. At the same time, the area faces challenges such as vacant houses and a shortage of people to carry the community forward.
YOHAKU SALON treats a vacant old farmhouse as a local resource, reviving it as a place where visitors can slowly savor seasonal afternoon tea made with the village's signature wakocha (Japanese black tea) and fresh local ingredients, while encountering Yamazoe's food, scenery, and producers.
It aims to be a place where anyone can reclaim a sense of "space" (yohaku) for the heart and carry it back home with them.
Time spent a little apart from daily life, bringing a bit of space back into the heart — and that space making everyday life a little richer. That is the kind of place YOHAKU SALON hopes to be.
Whether visiting alone, with family, or with a dog, the salon is designed to be a place where everyone can spend time without hesitation.
Through this place, Nichijo Seisakusho also hopes visitors will come to know the appeal of Yamazoe Village, nurturing a new, gentle cycle that connects people and the community.
A Satoyama Afternoon Tea Made With the Bounty of Yamazoe Village
Winter satoyama afternoon tea (image)
YOHAKU SALON offers a reservation-only satoyama afternoon tea built around Yamazoe Village's wakocha and local ingredients.
Yamazoe Village is blessed with a diverse range of ingredients: teas such as wakocha and Yamato tea, fresh produce such as lotus root and log-grown shiitake mushrooms, and Yamato beef and Yamato lamb. Local specialties rarely found outside the village, such as Katahira Akane and Mamekura soybeans, are also part of its appeal.
Using seasonal vegetables, fruits, and beans harvested in Yamazoe Village, the afternoon tea balances sweet and savory items so guests can enjoy subtle differences in taste, aroma, and texture.
Beyond visual appeal, the salon aims to deliver flavors guests will want to taste again and a memorable experience, letting guests feel the producers' dedication and the character of the land. It is a food experience meant to be enjoyed slowly, alongside the satoyama scenery and conversation.
The buds of spring, the light of summer, the harvest of autumn, the stillness of winter — the changing seasons are expressed not only through the ingredients but also through the tableware, plating, and the space as a whole, so that every visit brings new flavors and guests look forward to returning for the next season.
Crowdfunding Rewards
Engawa veranda
Supporters will receive rewards prepared as a token of gratitude, ranging from thank-you messages to meal vouchers for use at the completed salon and assortments of local Yamazoe specialties, allowing backers to fully enjoy the appeal of the village. Each reward is prepared with care so every supporter can enjoy it.
How the Funds Will Be Used
After CAMPFIRE's platform fees, the funds raised will mainly go toward the following:
- Renovating and preparing the old farmhouse (creating a space where all guests, including families with small children and dogs, can relax with peace of mind)
- Preparing the space to serve afternoon tea (kitchen equipment, tableware, and furniture)
- Promoting the appeal of Yamazoe Village (sharing information about the area's ingredients, scenery, and producers)
Representative's Comment
Yumeko Yamanaka, representative
Yumeko Yamanaka, CEO, Nichijo Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
I believe a vacant house is not simply an unused building, but a valuable resource that holds memories and scenery. As an architect, I want to make the most of this old farmhouse's history and view as I bring it back to life as a place where people can relax with peace of mind. I hope to grow YOHAKU SALON into a model case for reviving old farmhouses, and a starting point that connects to other regions as well.
I would be truly happy if you could join us in creating the beginning of this place.
Salon Information
Address: 612 Yamazoe Village, Yamabe District, Nara Prefecture
Access: About 1 hour by car from central Osaka; about 1.5 hours from Kyoto, Kobe, or Nagoya
Hours: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Planned Opening Date: December 4, 2026 (tentative)
