Enjoying a cup of tea on their own tatami mat is all part of the Japanese dream for Australian couple John and Miranda Bertram.

Originally from Brisbane, they took the plunge and bought a vacant home in Japan two years ago.

“We absolutely love living here, and we feel like really welcome guests in this country,” Ms Bertram said.

The husband and wife spent about $150,000 purchasing and renovating the property that was once a geisha house.

“Ever since I was 12 years old, I dreamt of visiting a world that was really peaceful and serene and elegant, and that’s what first attracted me to geisha culture, and we’ve gone from there,” Ms Bertram said.

They are now running the home in Atami, about two hours south of Tokyo, as an Airbnb.

At the same time, they are renovating a second rundown pr

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