As working-age Japanese depart the countryside in droves, leaving behind graying populations, rural authorities are trying to counter the trend by turning idle real estate into homes for city dwellers seeking a quieter lifestyle.

The Kyoto Prefectural Government is among those providing advice for people who want to move in, as well as subsidies for remodeling vacant properties.

Masaki Aota, who runs a nature school in Nantan, initially faced difficulty finding a home after deciding to move out of the city of Kyoto.