An American couple is living the Ghibli dream in Japan’s countryside!

While millions of people hope to live their dream life someday, Will and Hadley are already doing it. They did what many anime fans only dream about: packed their bags and relocated to the beautiful countryside in Japan, and are now transforming an old seaside house into a real-world fantasy.

After spending two years in Tosashimizu, a remote rural town, the couple are proving that the magic of Studio Ghibli films isn't just animated fiction; it's achievable for those willing to trade convenience for something real.

Adieu, America, Kon'nichiwa, Japan

In 2024, Will and Hadley did something that most people would only dream of. They packed their bags, left behind the modern, comfortable life in America, and took a flight to Japan. They ditched their fast-paced life in the hope of a slower and more intentional one.

The couple settled in Tosashimizu, a small town tucked away in Japan’s countryside. Instead of moving to busy cities like Tokyo or Osaka, they chose a quiet life.

This rural town has no shinkansen bullet trains, traditional train lines, or highways that connect Japan's major cities. For most Western expatriates, this would be a deal-breaker. But for Will and Hadley, it was exactly the point. “In 2024, we moved from the US to Japan.

We arrived in a small town called Tosashimizu, deep in the countryside. No shinkansen, no trains, no highways,” the couple said in a viral Instagram video.

Their Ghibli dream

Living the Ghibli dream really came true when a local told them about an empty house perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. Now that’s what dreams are made of: a quiet home on the edge of the land, with the endless ocean stretching out in front. The house needed restoration, and they had their share of challenges in turning it into the home they had dreamt of.

They moved in, and the real work began. Rather than renovating it into something modern, the couple carefully restored their clifftop house with Ghibli aesthetics in mind.

Every piece of art is handpicked, and every corner is designed with intent. “Now we're slowly creating our Ghibli-inspired home. We still have a lot of work to do,” the couple said.“Two years living in rural Japan, and we can confirm that the Ghibli dream is still achievable in the Japanese countryside. It really feels like a dream,” they said.Along with building their dream home and life, the couple are also documenting it. Their journey is a reminder that sometimes the most magical experiences come from taking risks. Every dream is worth the risk.