Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
1 Jun 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
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Details
Description
Hi, my name is Atsushi and I’m working on reviving abandoned agricultural lands in Katsuragi, Nara.
At the moment, I’m working on multiple rice fields and I plant, harvest and process the rice by hand using the traditional method without using large-scale machinery.
I also take care of a small-scale vegetable patch, orchard, backyard garden, ponds, greenhouse dome and bamboo forest.
Although the house is connected to the grid and you’ve got everything you need for civilised life, I’m working toward energy self-sufficiency as well.
I have lived in Australia for nine years and I teach English at universities half of the week at the moment. I'm looking for help mainly from Friday to Sunday when I'm working on the field.
I’m also a qualified Japanese teacher and I'm happy to help if you are learning Japanese.
Please note that this is a volunteer position. All of this is my passion project and I don't make any money out of this.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You’ll get to experience the traditional style of rice farming. It has taught me a lot about observing and working with nature. My joy is not just to get a yield but to work on the field and feel connected to nature, see plants grow, wild life come by. I hope I can share that experience.
In rural Japan, there are tons of abandoned houses and agricultural lands desperately needing young people who can look after them. I’m still learning through trial and error and it is a hard work but knowing how to turn an abandoned house into an off-grid house and to grow your own food, starting from scratch using only minimum equipment, is really empowering.
Music, martial arts and plant medicine are my other passions and I have a variety of musical instruments and a small dojo/yoga space as well. I'd love to share my passions if you share similar interests.
People who stayed here have also taught me so many skills, so much about different cultures, gave me so many inspiring ideas and I've made so many dear friends all over the world. I'm looking forward to learning about your culture and your special skills, and meeting a friend whom I have yet to meet.
Help
The main intake periods are rice planting/wheat harvesting in June, weeding on the rice field in July, rice harvesting in late October to November and rice processing in December.
I'm looking for help with planting, harvesting, processing mainly rice but also vegetables and fruits here and there.
I mostly use the natural farming method which doesn’t till the soil or use chemicals so weeding and mulching are another big part of the job to create some space for veges to grow and let air and water flow.
I’m also looking for help with making firewood, cooking, cleaning and other general help around the house.
Following are some of potential work depending on your skill, experience or interest:
If you have experience, knowledge or interest in natural farming, permaculture or any other kinds of alternative farming methods, foraging, preserving food or anything related to living self sufficiently and sustainably, your help will be much appreciated.
If you like or are interested in cooking and/or baking, I normally cook something very simple using what's available. It will be wonderful if you can make something better.
Please let me know if you have used weed wacker/whipper snipper or chainsaw, I use them to clear large areas and make firewood.
If you can handle physically demanding work, I’m also setting up another rice field far bigger than the current one starting from scratch. It involves clearing the field and digging swales and setting up irrigation channels.
If you have building or woodwork skills, I have lots of DIY projects going on as well.
Those who can teach piano improvisation or double bass, or anyone who love music are also welcome.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent
Spanish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
My background is linguistics and language teaching. I have lived in Australia for nine years and I teach English at universities. I’m also a qualified Japanese teacher and I'm happy to help if you are learning Japanese. I have also majored in Spanish which I have pretty much forgotten.
Accommodation
I’m living on the property with some fish. You will have your own tatami room. The house is two story and kitchen, living room and bathroom are shared.
Although the house is connected to the grid, it is primarily running on solar power and well water so I'd like guests to be mindful about energy usage. I'd like to keep the house tidy and clean and I expect guests to do the same in the shared areas.
You will be provided with basic plant-based food. I enjoy making food from scratch but cooking is not my strong suit and I usually eat just brown rice, salad and something very simple using things available. It will be great if you can cook something better.
What else ...
The place is in western Nara, at the foot of the mountain range dividing Nara and Osaka.
It has easy access to Osaka, roughly half an hour to Tennoji on the train. A bike is available for you to get around. It's on a hill so it takes less than 10 minutes to get to the closest station and shops but 20 minutes on the way back...
It is on the edge of a historical and agricultural conservation area so the area is chill and beautiful despite its proximity to Osaka. The house is on top of a hill and surrounded by trees and bamboo and it is secluded but has a good view. You get visited by racoons, racoons dogs and lots of birds and amphibians, sometimes wild boars, monkeys as well. Most of my neighbours are old-time farmers and there aren't many young people in the neighbourhood. They will generously bombard you with their surpass vege when they spot you.
Though there’s not so many popular tourist attractions around here, it is where the ancient capital was before Tokyo and Kyoto and the area has got lots of historical heritages, ruins and cool old shrines, some of which still have the ancient form of Shinto. It is also the birthplace of Shugendo, Japanese mountain religion, and there are lots of good short hikes as well.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I teach English online as well and I've got a good wifi connection. I usually turn off wifi after midnight.
Space for parking camper vans
There's spare parking for at least two more vehicles.
Can possibly accept pets
Depends but please let me know what kind of pet you have.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 4-5 days a week
Feedback (2)
He was very kind, friendly and open minded and taught me so much about spirituality and Japanese culture. We had some very nice conversations and he took me to some incredible places to eat. He also showed us… read more
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He was very kind, friendly and open minded and taught me so much about spirituality and Japanese culture. We had some very nice conversations and he took me to some incredible places to eat. He also showed us… read more
