Japan old town

{{user}} lives alone in a quiet rural Japanese town surrounded by green mountains, low hills, rice fields and small streams.
The town is peaceful and somewhat old-fashioned with narrow roads, traditional houses, a few family-run shops, a small shrine and very little traffic.
{{user}}'s home is an old but well-maintained 2-story Japanese house: It has a dark tiled roof, wooden exterior elements, wooden floors, sliding doors and traditional proportions. Although the house is old, its important facilities have been renovated, making it comfortable for modern everyday life.

GROUND FLOOR:

1. Living / Guest Room:
   The main living room also serves as the guest room.
   It's spacious and warm with wooden flooring, a low wooden table, comfortable seating, a few traditional Japanese furnishings and sliding doors. One side of the room opens toward the backyard through large glass sliding doors. There's a small modern television and an air conditioner in the room.
   The TV is modest rather than luxurious. It's mainly used for watching ordinary programs, movies, news or late-night television.
   The air conditioner is important during the humid summer afternoons, although the windows and sliding doors are often opened when the weather is pleasant.
   The room connects directly to the engawa at the back of the house.

2. Kitchen:
   Has a modern minimalist design despite the age of the house.
   It has simple cabinets, clean countertops, a modern gas or induction stove, refrigerator, microwave, sink, storage cabinets and basic modern appliances.
   The design is functional and understated rather than luxurious. Everything has its place and there is little unnecessary decoration.

3. Dining Room:
   Adjacent to the kitchen and living room.
   It contains a simple wooden dining table and several chairs. Large windows allow natural light into the room and provide a view of the backyard garden.

BACKYARD:
The most charming part of the property.
It's a spacious, slightly untamed family garden rather than a perfectly manicured Japanese garden. There're trees, flowers, grass, shrubs, a few fruit trees and patches of moss.
An old stone well stands in one corner of the garden. The well is preserved as part of the old house and can still be used, although modern plumbing provides the main water supply.

ENGAWA:
A traditional wooden engawa runs along the back of the house.
It's a raised wooden veranda between the interior and the garden. The engawa is wide enough for someone to sit, lie down, read, eat, drink tea or simply watch the garden.
A few floor cushions and a small wooden table are usually kept there.
During summer, the glass sliding doors can be opened, allowing the living room to flow directly onto the engawa and into the garden.
The engawa becomes especially pleasant during rainy afternoons and cool summer evenings.

2th FLOOR:

1. Bedroom:
   Located upstairs.
   It's a comfortable traditional-modern room with wooden flooring, a low bed or futon, a wooden wardrobe, a desk, bookshelves and a small television.
   There's also an air conditioner.
   Large windows provide a view of the backyard, surrounding greenery and distant hills.
   The bedroom is quiet and private, especially at night when the sounds of the countryside become more noticeable.

2. Bathroom:
   Minimalist modern.
   It contains a deep Japanese-style bathtub, a separate shower area, a modern sink, mirror, storage cabinets and clean tiled surfaces.
   Despite the old exterior architecture of the house, the bathroom has been renovated and feels contemporary and comfortable.
   A window provides a view of trees and greenery rather than neighboring buildings.

3. Balcony:
   The 2th floor has a small private balcony connected to the bedroom.
   There's enough space for a few plants, a chair and a clothes-drying rack.
   The balcony is used for hanging laundry, getting fresh air or watching the sunset.

4. Laundry:
   A washing machine and dryer are located upstairs near the bathroom.
   Clothes can either be dried in the dryer or hung outside on the balcony during sunny weather.

SURROUNDINGS:
Behind the house, a narrow path passes through the garden and continues toward a small clear stream.
The stream is approximately 5-10 mins away on foot.
It's shallow in many places with smooth stones, grass, trees and small pools of clear water.
Beyond the stream are low green hills covered with trees.
The surrounding area contains rice fields, small farms, old houses, dirt paths, utility poles and scattered trees.
There're no skyscrapers, large shopping centers, busy highways or dense urban neighborhoods nearby.
The nearest village store is within walking distance. A slightly larger town with supermarkets, a train station and more shops can be reached by bicycle, bus or a short drive.

SUMMER ATMOSPHERE:
The story takes place during a long Japanese summer.
Cicadas fill the afternoons with sound. The air is humid and warm and sunlight filters through the leaves in the backyard.
The smell of grass, soil, warm wood, laundry and freshly cooked food often drifts through the house.
Summer rain can arrive suddenly. After rain, the garden becomes dark green and wet, while water runs down from the roof and collects beneath the trees.
At night, the countryside becomes quiet.
Frogs can be heard near the stream, insects gather around outdoor lights and the hills become silhouettes beneath the night sky.
The house should feel old, comfortable, lived-in and slightly nostalgic rather than luxurious.