Yumi

From the hallways of NIS to a restored farmhouse in rural Nagano, this alumni's journey has been anything but ordinary. We caught up with Yumi (Nagata) Coyte, Class of 1983, to talk about her time at NIS, the winding road that took her from Tokyo, to Rome, the English countryside, and how she and her husband ended up trading city life for the adventure of reviving a traditional Japanese kominka — complete with a B&B and café.

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How did you first come to Nagoya International School, and how long were you a student here?
Yumi: I entered NIS at 6th grade, Mrs. Lot’s class. My family moved from Tokyo, where I was going to an English-speaking Catholic school, so it was only natural for me to go to an international school in Nagoya. My parents only had to tell me that I didn’t have to wear a uniform and there were boys! I was at NIS till I graduated high school in 1983.

What is one memory from NIS that still feels vivid to you?
Yumi: One memory? I don’t have just one…there are tons of memories: the building (the circular old one with Dad’s Root Beer vending machine), the teachers, classrooms, the lunches (I could kill for the fried chicken and cream of chicken), sports, various events that everybody worked on, and of course, the students. Especially the young ones, since not many schools offer the opportunity to interact with kindergarteners when you’re a junior. I remember helping out with the 1st graders in Mrs. Hasegawa’s class. It was a lot of fun. Kids were so cute and full of energy. I hope I was a bit of a help to the teacher. 

Where did life take you immediately after graduation?
Yumi: Tokyo. I went to Sophia University, one of the only 2 English-speaking universities at the time in Japan.

Why did you decide to stay in Japan and go to Sophia? 
Yumi: I had actually been accepted to all 5 schools that I applied to in the US, unfortunately it would have been financially tough. Had I known, I would have applied to scholarships and various subsidies, but I didn’t. However, my grandparents agreed to host me if I went to school in Japan and since I knew so many people already going to Sophia U, I chose to go there. (Begrudgingly….and yet, it was a very memorable time of my life and happy to say, I was able to pay most of my way through!)

You’ve lived all over the world, England, the U.S., Rome, and Japan — how have those different cultures shaped who you are today?
Yumi: I learned that wherever you live, being friendly, participating in the community, and just being a good neighbour makes your little place paradise with trusting neighbours and friends.

Can you walk us through the path that eventually led you back to Japan?
Yumi: Our kids grew up and became independent, so Ben (husband) and I decided to do something for ourselves. We’ve always dreamed of running a guesthouse. Also, my mother isn’t getting any younger, although I might question that as she still plays tennis weekly!

What inspired you and your husband to restore a traditional Japanese home and turn it into a B&B and café?
Yumi: Sheer madness, I guess. While we were in the UK, we knew about the abandoned house problem in Japan. We also saw quite a few non-Japanese trying to preserve the really traditional houses (kominka). We weren’t strangers to DIY, so we thought, how about reviving a kominka and showing people the amazing architecture and history behind these houses? The B&B should’ve been set up first, but we finished the café portion of the house first, so we opened that up for business first.

What was the most challenging part of that restoration journey?
Yumi: Not knowing how long it was going to take. As we trudged along though, one day things started to look like we were actually getting somewhere. One day the floors went in, then the walls, then the windows, and finally a door! (True joy was when the toilets went in!)

What has been the most rewarding part?
Yumi: When the villagers come in and thank us for reviving the house and settling down in their neighbourhood. As in most rural village cases, ours is the same: the decrease in population is serious. There are so many empty houses and lots. The residents here are good people and, yes, they do have their own traditional way of life. It’s been wonderful for us to meet them and learn just that. 

How has your time at NIS influenced the way you approach your work and life now?
Yumi: NIS provided me with the confidence and self-esteem to settle in unknown places, no matter how different they may be culturally. Whether it is Rome, London, the suburbs of DC, England, or Chikuhoku Village in Nagano—where we are now— I am happy to talk with anyone, get to know him/her, become friends, work on a problem together, and work as a team. NIS gave me the foundations for an accepting outlook on life, no discrimination, racial, sexual, or religious. (Even though I’m called the ”weird Nihonjin” — I love it!)

Looking back, did you always imagine this kind of life for yourself? Or did it unfold unexpectedly?
Yumi: Nope. I totally imagined myself living in a high-rise apartment in the middle of a big city, Tokyo, London, or New York, pursuing my career as a journalist. But kids happened, and suburban life inspired me to really enjoy nature. I love gardening, growing vegetables, and fruits. So, the answer to your 2nd question is no. It didn’t unfold unexpectedly. I wanted to grow my own veg & fruit for the customers of our café and enjoy what nature provides in our little valley.

What accomplishment are you most proud of so far?
Yumi: Marrying Ben. He’s been inspirational to so much of what I really treasure. None of this would’ve happened without him, plus he’s a terrific DIYer. He’s fixed up most of this house with the guidance of our local carpenters. His acceptance of how things are culturally done around here has made all the work go smoothly. He is a village celebrity now, and some call him the “hen na gaijin.” 

What advice would you give current NIS students who are still figuring out where life might take them?
Yumi: Do what makes you happy. Do something that you can do for hours and hours without it becoming a chore. Life is too short. Enjoy it while you can, but then that’s what everyone says! Pursue that high-paying, high-stress job. If you manage to get it, do it for a while. See if it makes you happy or if you dread going back to work Sunday night. Stress is the number one killer for us humans. Do what you like on those days off and see if you can balance it. 

For more information about Yumi and Ben's café and guest house, Silk & Soy click here: www.silkandsoy.net