A guesthouse in the Japanese countryside is attracting travelers from all over the world.

- Here.
- Thank you very much.

Welcome!

- His name is Sora.
- Sora?

Yeah. A boy. 2 years old.

- 2 years and half.
- Very cute.

Nguyen Thi Viet Lien from Vietnam runs the house.

People call her "Ren-san."

On this day, she welcomes tourists from Germany, who came for mountain climbing.

More than half of the guests are from abroad.

Ren started the guesthouse two years ago.

It was converted from a 40-year-old building.

She believes strongly in making guests feel welcome.

A second home for everyone—
that's the concept of my guesthouse.

My guests often say, "I don't feel like
it's my first visit."

It's like my family home" or
"It's like coming to my friend's house."

It makes me really happy to hear that.

The communal space especially is a place where guests can relax and socialize.

You cannot forget about...

We go out and have our own activities separately, but when we get back to the guest house,

we're just like family and like friends, talking together and make good conversation.

So I like the "tsunagari."

"Soudesu."

It's very nice to stay in such a place compared to like a hotel or something,

because it's more like traditional housing. It's a very nice place.

I want visitors from abroad
to see another side of Japan.

Not only a city like Tokyo
or well-known places like Harajuku.

I also hope they can enjoy a more
comfortable side of Japan, like this.

I personally believe this is one of
the best spots in this town.

It is really nice to live in a place
with a view of the mountains.

Before starting her guesthouse in this town, Ren had moved a few times between Vietnam and Japan.

Ren was born in Hanoi, Vietnam.

She first came to Japan when she was 10 years old.

Although she couldn't speak Japanese at first, with her outgoing personality, she soon jumped right into life in Japan.

Kids don't need language.

They just say, "Let's play football or
basketball, or let's play sports..."

I could get my messages across
just using gestures.

I was just being myself. That's why
I could communicate with other kids.

Ren returned to Japan to attend university, and started to work in Tokyo after graduation.

Always one to express herself, she gradually began to feel more and more like spending time in nature.

Each weekend, I opened Google Maps
and thought, "Where should I go today?"

I'd go to these places
with lots of green...

I guess you could say I ended up in Nagano
instead of a park.

It's kind of funny.

Her adopted town of Ikeda is situated in Nagano Prefecture, in Central Japan.

It is surrounded by 3,000-meter-high mountains, and is rich in natural beauty.

However, the town faces the problems common to smaller communities all over Japan.

Young people are leaving, and the town is suffering from both a population that's declining and aging.

In 2015, the number of residents dropped below 10,000.

In 2017, the town started a project to attract newcomers.

It includes organizing events for people outside the area, and developing subsidies for entrepreneurs.

Ren's migration in 2021 was great news for the residents.

When Ren decided to start a guesthouse in Ikeda town, she first consulted with one of the inhabitants.

This is Mr. Saruta.
Personally, I call him "Master."

He's helped me so much.

Saruta Masashi runs a real estate business in town.

Like Ren, he moved to the town 10 years ago, attracted by its beautiful scenery.

To help revitalize the depopulated area, he introduces properties to newcomers, and renovates vacant homes.

His family is spending time in the log cabin he built by himself, a fact he's proud of.

This place used to be a dark forest.

I transformed it not by spending money,
but by my own skills and effort.

I was hoping newcomers would feel
they can do this too if they want.

And one day, she paid me a visit.

Ren's guest house was also renovated by Saruta.

Ren is not afraid to show up anywhere
and quickly make friends. It's amazing.

That's a power you don't find easily
in the countryside.

I naturally wanted to give support
to someone like that.

She's challenging life
on her own in a foreign country.

Young people from outside have
started new businesses and projects.

I think they have a positive impact
on the town.

I think Ikeda town needs such power.

Ren has another activity over the weekend.

She serves the Vietnamese noodle dish ‘pho' in a small community space.

Here you are.

I made Vietnamese food for guests, and
they loved it. I thought "I've got time...

why not open a breakfast café
that serves pho."

I'm glad that it opens in the morning.
It's perfect for me.

It's good to have newcomers here.

They like our area more than us locals,

and they enjoy leisure activities,
such as mountain hiking.

They also restore old houses.
It's fun to see them do this!

Ren hopes that customers will freely interact and connect with each other through her café.

I didn't realize how hard it is to eat out
with children until I became a parent.

So, I really appreciate places like this.

I feel that visitors have brought
a refreshing change to our area.

It's evolving as people come and go,
especially as newcomers stay.

Do what you love, in the place that you love.

That's Ren's ideal way of living.

I never thought much about
accomplishing things or contributing.

But I noticed people's needs
by watching them.

I'm happy if everyone feels comfortable
and interacts with one another naturally.

I just want to provide that space.

I want to offer opportunities like this
through my guesthouse and café.

I can live in a comfortable town,
and make visitors feel comfortable.

If everyone's happy, I am too.