Benton Homestead Japan

27/05/2026

Sharing a few more stills from the episode of TV Asahi's サンド＆キスマイの気になるマン! In addition to showcasing Ōmishima and Benton Guesthouse, we also also visited our honeybees, and enjoyed ramen with Tamayo-san at Tamaya.

You can stream the episode for only one week! It won't be on YouTube! So let's all enjoy it briefly, before it disappears. Our Ōmishima segment is from 06:00 to 29:00!

Watch here: https://tver.jp/live/simul/le91evr3pn Please note that you will have to make a free account, and also set your ISP or VPN location to Japan to use the TVer website.

* * * * *
Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Business Manager visa requirements, to continue our work in Japan » https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements
* * * * *
Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead
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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

26/05/2026

Thank you to TV-Asahi and the crew of サンド＆キスマイの気になるマン for showcasing out little part of the Shimanami Kaido! It was really fun to see Ōmishima, Benton Guesthouse, and Tamaya, on national television. I'm happy that the episode is fun and silly, and actually had some laugh out loud moments.

You can stream the episode for only one week! It won't be on YouTube! So let's all enjoy it briefly, before it disappears. Our Ōmishima segment is from 06:00 to 29:00!

Watch here: https://tver.jp/live/simul/le91evr3pn Please note that you will have to make a free account, and also set your ISP or VPN location to Japan to use the TVer website.

* * * * *
Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Business Manager visa requirements, to continue our work in Japan » https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements
* * * * *
Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead
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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

24/05/2026

Tomorrow! Our episode of サンド＆キスマイの気になるマン will air throughout Japan on TV-Asahi! Monday, May 25th at 8:40 pm (Japan time).

Then it will be available for replay on the website TVer, only for one week. So let's all enjoy it briefly, before it disappears.

Episode description: "Kis-My-Ft2 conducts a major investigation into things they're curious about all across Japan! They moved to Shimanami Kaido, Kyoto, and Kochi! What kind of lives do foreigners who love Showa-era retro style and foreigners who have become instructors of Japanese culture lead?" So it appears that the episide will cover three foreigners living in Japan, and their very different lives.

Watch here on TVer: https://tver.jp/live/simul/le91evr3pn Please note that you will have to set your ISP or VPN location to Japan to use the website.

* * * * *
Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Business Manager visa requirements, to continue our work in Japan » https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements
* * * * *
Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead
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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

「5月25日 リアルタイム配信 Kis-My-Ft2が日本全国で気になることを大調査！▽しまなみ海道や京都、高知に移住！昭和レトロ好き外国人＆日本文化の師範になった外国人…一体どんな暮らしをしている？」を無料で見るならTVe...

22/05/2026

I finally got to finish it! Three years ago, I envisioned a Shimanami Kaido island sunset wrapping around the whole exterior of the uniquely-shaped Honeybee Workshop building, attached to our home. Now, it's reality.

Well there is a tiny bit of pink to finish but I need a taller ladder. Please use your imagination.

Many of our neighbors watched as this building sit vacant, slowly deteriorating, for 40 years. So I really wanted to bring some colorful cheer to the neighborhood.

This is my first time painting a mural, and I decided to start with something fairly difficult. WHAT ELSE IS NEW! In our latest YouTube video, I show you how I used cheap brushes and kitchen sponges to create the sunset gradient.

Today's video: https://youtu.be/XwHt6M7VIEg

ついに完成しました！3年前、自宅に隣接する独特な形状のハニービー・ワークショップの建物の外壁全体に、しまなみ海道の夕日が映えるような壁画を描きたいと夢見ていました。そして今、それが現実になりました。

ピンク色の部分を少しだけ仕上げる必要があるのですが、もっと高い脚立が必要です。あとはご想像にお任せします。

近隣住民の多くは、この建物が40年間も空き家となり、徐々に朽ちていく様子を目の当たりにしてきました。だからこそ、この街に彩りと明るさをもたらしたいと強く願っていました。

壁画を描くのは今回が初めてで、しかもかなり難しいものに挑戦することにしました。まあ、いつものことですが！最新のYouTube動画では、安価な筆と台所用スポンジを使って夕日のグラデーションをどのように描いたかをご紹介しています。

* * * * *
Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Business Manager visa requirements, to continue our work in Japan » https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements
* * * * *
Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead
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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

21/05/2026

We can now officially announce the details of our first appearance on Japan’s national television!

When does it air »
Monday, May 25 at 8:40pm (20:40) Japan time

What is the show »
‘サンド&キスマイの気になるマン’ Sandwichman & Kisumae’s Interesting Man (Kininaruman)

What channel »
The TV-Asahi channel number varies by region. Please check your local TV-Asahi channel number!

How do you watch »
There are a few different options depending whether you're inside or outside of Japan. So please check the blog post for all the details! It won't be on YouTube, but there does seem to be free online streaming options for one week following the broadcast.

Full Blog with various streaming options:
https://bentonhomestead.com/archives/6663

サンド&キスマイの気になるマン:
https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/kininaruman/

* * * * *
Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Business Manager visa requirements, to continue our work in Japan » https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements

* * * * *
Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead
* * * * *
#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

15/05/2026

We were recently interviewed for an article discussing the changes to Japan's Business Manager visa. It has some interesting insight, shared through the stories of three foreign residents of Japan trying to navigate the new requirements.

Immigrants in Japan struggle to keep businesses open after new visa rules: https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2026/04/29/japan-immigrants-businesses-new-visa-rules/

* * * * *
Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Business Manager visa requirements, to continue our work in Japan » https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements
* * * * *
Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead
* * * * *
#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

Rules for obtaining or keeping a business manager visa in Japan were changed in October 2025, with a three-year grace period to meet the requirements for those who already have them. Some of these immigrants who own small businesses in Japan are no longer sure if they’ll be able to stay.

09/05/2026

Our most recent YouTube video is a quick tour of Benton Homestead in the springtime! Since we primarily grow Mexican summer crops, it's still early in the season. But we walk you through: our tomato & tomatillo garden, our Japanese honeybee hives, the Benton Guesthouse side yard, Honeybee Yard #2, our very young lime and avocado orchard, and lastly, our hot pepper field. Ponkan, Bosco, and Sumi all make special appearances.

Spring Homestead Tour » Small-scale Natural Farming & Beekeeping in Japan » Ōmishima, Imabari, Ehime: https://youtu.be/IUffrf_nVRk

* * * * *
Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Business Manager visa requirements, to continue our work in Japan » https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements
* * * * *
Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead
* * * * *
#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

25/04/2026

数ヶ月間、毎月のライブ配信による最新情報をお届けするのを休止していましたが、5月に大規模なアップデート動画を公開する予定です。間もなく、ToDoリストの多くの項目が完了する予定です✍

* 新たに強化されたビジネスマネージャービザの要件に向けて、着実に前進しています。ベントンホームステッドの払込資本金がわずかに増加し、法人書類に記録されました。

* 小規模事業者向け補助金の建設および関連書類の手続きが完了し、（うまくいけば）最終承認と払い戻しを受け、さらに小規模銀行の「ブリッジローン」を返済する予定です。

* 2025年の蜂蜜収穫販売に関する最終計算が完了しました。1,365瓶（325kg）の蜂蜜はすべて完売しました。また、セイヨウミツバチ5群と野生のニホンミツバチ2群を迎え入れました。

* ゴールデンウィーク期間中、大三島で開催される今年のサンドマーケットフェスティバルにて、2回目のタコスポップアップイベントを開催します！

* 5月はベントンゲストハウスにとって過去最高の月となり、これまでの最高記録をすべて塗り替える見込みです！

* そして、今朝正式に発表されたのですが、日本の全国放送テレビ番組の撮影が始まりました！大勢のスタッフと大スターが参加するのですが、誰なのかはまだ秘密です🤫 とても楽しみです！番組名は5月中旬に発表予定です。放送は5月下旬頃を予定しています。

現在、テレビ撮影のスケジュールを調整中で、大三島のコミュニティを紹介する絶好の機会なので、できる限り多くの地元の友人や企業に協力をお願いしようと思っています❤️

というわけで！これだけ盛りだくさんなので、そろそろ大きなアップデート動画をアップするのにぴったりのタイミングだと思いませんか？あと、私たちも休暇が必要ですね😂

We're planning to share a major update video in May. Soon, we will have many big items checked-off our to-do list ✍

* Small but calculated progress towards the new increased Business Manager visa requirements: a small increase in Benton Homestead's paid-in capital, recorded on our corporate documents;

* Completion of the small business subsidy construction and paperwork, and (hopefully) their final approval and reimbursement, as well as repayment of the small bank "bridge loan";

* Final calculations for our 2025 honey harvest sales, as all 1,365 jars of honey (325 kg) are now sold out. Plus welcoming 5 western bee colonies and 2 wild Japanese bee swarms;

* Our second taco pop-up, which will take place during this year's Sando Market Festival on Ōmishima during Golden Week;

* May will be our busiest month ever at Benton Guesthouse, surpassing all of our previous busiest month records so far;

* And, officially as of this morning: filming for a national Japanese TV broadcast. They're sending a big crew and a big star but we can't tell you who 🤫 It's very exciting! We can tentatively announce the name of the TV show in mid-May. Then the episode will air end of May.

We're currently creating a schedule for the TV filming, and trying to showcase Ōmishima's community ❤️

So! After all that, it seems like it'll be a perfect time for a major update video. Don't you think?? Also, we need a vacation 😂

04/04/2026

Let's check up on the Benton Guesthouse new half bath room progress! The contractors have completed their portion, so now, the rest is up to us! The wood paneling on the walls, the insulation, the ceiling, the trim, the baseboard, the shikkui plaster, retrofitting the external sliding wooden door, and the internal door to the guesthouse. It's a heck of a lot more difficult to DIY renovate an existing structure than to just start from scratch.

How do y'all think it looks so far?

Today's Video "Retro Room Retrofit": https://youtu.be/aSYi99Wev2Q

* * * * *
Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Business Manager visa requirements, to continue our work in Japan » https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements
* * * * *
Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead
* * * * *
#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

Let's check up on the Benton Guesthouse new half bath room progress! The contractors have completed their portion, thanks to the small business subsidy, whic...

24/02/2026

The last week of February is here, and that means we're getting closer to this month's guesthouse renovation update finish line. This week, we will focus on wrapping up any remaining projects inside the guesthouse, take new interior photos, update our listings, and get ready to swing back into hosting mode for the beginning of tourism season!

Here is a peek at what the contractors have been doing: We have a new expanded driveway! We have a fourth and final heating & aircon unit installed in the kitchen.

The final project for the small business subsidy will be completed by both the contractors, and Evan. We will turn a formerly un-renovated room inside the guesthouse into our new second toilet room, and pass-through side exit to the future guesthouse BBQ patio space. I think you'll be surprised at the transformation!

2月最後の週がやってきました。今月のゲストハウス改装アップデートの最終段階に近づいてきました。今週は、ゲストハウス内の残りのプロジェクトの完了、新しい室内写真の撮影、リスティングの更新に集中し、観光シーズンの到来に向けてホスティングモードに戻る準備を進めていきます！

請負業者の作業内容をご紹介します。私道を拡張しました！キッチンに4台目となる、そして最後の暖房・エアコンを設置しました。

小規模事業者向け補助金の最終プロジェクトは、請負業者とエバンの2社によって完了します。ゲストハウス内の以前は改装されていなかった部屋を、2つ目のトイレと、将来のゲストハウスBBQパティオスペースへの通路となる横の出口に改装します。きっとその変貌ぶりに驚かれると思います！

* * * * *
Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Business Manager visa requirements, to continue our work in Japan » https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements
* * * * *
Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead
* * * * *
#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道