What began as a search for a home became an exploration of how space shapes us—and how, in turn, we shape the spaces we call home.

We are Jens and Katarina a Swedish couple with four young adult boys and a best friend - our dog Scooby.

For many years, life moved fast. We built careers, travelled extensively, moved around and renovated many homes, always searching for something we couldn't quite put into words—a greater sense of balance, purpose and calm.

Japan has been another part of that quest. For more than thirty years, it has shaped us through business, design, craftsmanship and friendships. Whenever life felt noisy, we found ourselves returning—to places like Kōyasan, where we could slow down, regain perspective and remember what truly mattered.

Eventually, one question stayed with us.

What if a home could support the life we wanted to live—not just shelter it?

That question led us on a search that lasted more than ten years before we found a century-old kominka in the mountains north of Kyoto.

The two-year restoration became far more than a renovation. Together with architect Imamura Toshiki and remarkable craftspeople, we restored the house with one ambition: to understand what timeless Japanese principles might teach us about living a more intentional life. Along the way, Toshiki became a close friend, and the project became a shared journey.

Today, we divide our time between our family in Sweden and our home in Kyoto.

Together, we are documenting that journey in a book while continuing to explore how thoughtful spaces, intentional living and everyday rituals shape us—and how, in turn, we shape the places we call home.

Kyoto Sansui Living is where we share what we continue to discover.