Help bring an old farmhouse and rural garden back to life in Nagano, Japan

Informationen

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  Beschreibung

  I’m originally from Tokyo. After many years working in the corporate world, I’m now beginning a new chapter in rural Japan — one that feels slower, simpler, and closer to nature.
  
  My main project is caring for and gradually restoring a traditional Edo-period kominka, an old Japanese farmhouse, in a rural part of southern Nagano Prefecture. The village is officially recognised as one of Japan’s “Most Beautiful Villages”.
  
  This is a private home and private garden project only, not a business. I have only recently started looking after the house and its immediate surroundings, and my focus is on caring for my own living space, maintaining the private garden, and learning how to live more simply and respectfully in the countryside.
  
  The house has cultural and historical value, and I hope to care for it slowly and thoughtfully, in a way that respects local traditions and the character of the village. I’m also interested in traditional rural life, natural gardening, seasonal food, and the relationship between old houses, nature, and local culture in Japan.
  
  For me, this project is not just about caring for an old house. It is about preserving a way of life, respecting local culture and traditions, and slowly learning how to live well in an old rural home.
  
  There is no commercial activity connected to this Workaway exchange. Helpers will not be asked to help with any business-related work, guesthouse preparation, or spaces intended for paying guests or clients.
  
  This Workaway exchange is simply about sharing everyday rural life around my private home and garden. The help requested is only for personal, non-commercial purposes, and is not related to guesthouse preparation or spaces for paying guests.

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  Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten

  Karitative Arbeit

  Kunstprojekte

  Sprachpraxis

  Hilfe bei Ökoprojekten

  Seniorenbetreuung

  Unterrichten

  Leichte Gartenarbeit

  Kreative Heimwerkerprojekte

  Betreuung von Tieren

  Mithilfe auf einem Bauernhof

  Zubereiten / Kochen von Mahlzeiten für die Familie

  Hausarbeiten

  Leichte Instandhaltungsarbeiten

  Haus- & Haustiersitting
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  Interessengebiete

  

  Nachhaltigkeit

  

  Vegetarier / Veganer

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Farmarbeit

  

  Gartenarbeiten

  

  Architektur

  

  Kochen & Backen

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Gebirge

  

  Natur
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  UNO-Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung, die dieser Gastgeber verfolgt

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  Was ist das?
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  Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten

  ◼️ This is a great chance to experience and learn more about:
  
  • Everyday rural life in Japan — the slower pace, the seasons, and local customs
  • Japanese culture and history, especially traditional architecture through the care of a kominka
  • The process of looking after an old private farmhouse and its private garden
  • Simple gardening, small-scale growing, and plant-based meals using seasonal ingredients
  • What it is really like to find, care for, and slowly improve an akiya, or vacant house, in Japan
  • Local traditions, rural landscapes, and the challenges faced by countryside communities today
  • Teamwork, practical problem-solving, and everyday rural living
  • Useful Japanese language tips, local etiquette, and everyday life in Japan, from a Tokyo local’s perspective
  
  If you are thinking about living in Japan longer term, especially outside the big cities, I’d be very happy to share what I’ve learned and help point you in the right direction.

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  Projekte mit Kindern

  Dieses Projekt schließt möglicherweise den Umgang mit Kindern ein. Mehr Informationen findest du in unseren Verhaltensregeln und Tipps hier.

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  Arbeit

  As the project is still in its early stages, the help is quite varied, practical, and hands-on. All help is limited to my private home, private garden, and personal living space.
  
  I would especially appreciate someone who is practical, flexible, and happy to take initiative when needed. This is an old house and a rural home, so the work is not always clean or glamorous. Some days may involve simple outdoor tasks, clearing, sorting, carrying things, or doing muddy tasks.
  
  ◼️ Typical tasks may include:
  
  • Helping in the private garden
  • Weeding, mowing, and clearing overgrown areas around the private home
  • Cutting back small plants or bamboo in the private garden
  • Preparing small vegetable areas for personal use
  • Sowing seeds, planting seedlings, and harvesting for our own meals
  • Trying simple natural gardening methods
  • Simple DIY tasks around the private home
  • Light carpentry or minor repairs for personal use
  • Sorting, organising, and tidying areas around the old house
  • Cooking together and sharing simple plant-based meals
  • Cultural exchange and language exchange
  
  You should know that this is an old house and private garden that I have only recently started looking after, so the project is still in a very early stage. Some tasks may involve clearing overgrown areas, sorting things out, picking up rubbish, and doing rather muddy, unglamorous work.
  
  I’m looking for someone who can enjoy that process too — someone who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty and can find joy in helping care for an old rural home.
  
  This is a volunteer cultural exchange only. There is no paid position, and no help with any business, guesthouse preparation, or spaces for paying guests is requested.
  
  
  ◼️ This stay may be a good fit for someone who:
  • Is respectful, honest, open-minded, and easy to communicate with
  • Has at least basic Japanese ability, or is learning Japanese and happy to make an effort to communicate with local people
  • Is happy to help independently at times and take initiative when needed
  • Is tidy, considerate, and comfortable sharing a home
  • Enjoys a calm, quiet rural lifestyle
  • Has some experience living independently
  • Has a genuine interest in Japanese culture, traditions, old houses, and rural life
  • Is interested in cultural exchange, not only free accommodation
  • Prefers a peaceful stay, as this is not a party-style place
  • Enjoys meaningful connections and would be open to staying in touch after the exchange
  
  This stay may be especially suitable for someone with a little more life experience, or someone who is already comfortable helping independently.

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  Sprachen

  Gesprochene Sprachen
  Englisch: Fließend
  Japanisch: Fließend

  Dieser Gastgeber bietet Sprachaustausch an
  I’m interested in learning any languages, but especially German and French. I lived in Germany for a while and used to study German, so I’d love to practise it again. I’ve also tried learning French before. I’d be happy to share Japanese through everyday conversation and daily life here in rural Japan.
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  Unterkunft

  ◼️ Plant-based / vegan-friendly home
  Vegans, vegetarians, and people who are happy with a mostly plant-based lifestyle are very welcome!!
  
  You’ll be staying in the kominka itself — a traditional Japanese farmhouse full of history and character. As the project is still in its early stages and some parts of the house may at times feel a little rough around the edges or be mid-improvement. I’ll do my best to make your stay as comfortable as possible, and I hope you’ll be able to enjoy that slightly imperfect, in-progress side of the experience too.
  
  You’ll have your own private room.
  
  ◼️ Facilities (current setup):
  • A temporary kitchen (I’m planning to install a new kitchen area in May)
  • One shared bathroom, used by up to two other people (I’m hoping to add a second bathroom later this year)
  
  ◼️ Meals:
  As I’m vegan and live a plant-based lifestyle, the food and basic ingredients provided in the house will be plant-based. You’re welcome to cook for yourself, and we can also cook together now and then if you’d like.
  
  If you would like to eat anything that is not plant-based, please prepare it yourself. However, I kindly ask that no meat or fish be cooked on the premises.
  
  ◼️ House rules:
  We’re a non-smoking household. Cleanliness and tidiness are greatly appreciated, especially as we’ll be sharing the space while the project is still evolving.
  
  I also try to live in a mindful and environmentally conscious way, so I’d really appreciate your cooperation with saving water, electricity, and other resources during your stay.

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  Was noch ...

  During your time off, you’ll have the chance to explore a beautiful part of rural Japan. The village itself is calm, peaceful, and inspiring — ideal for creativity, reflection, and reconnecting with nature.
  
  ◼️ Nearby highlights include:
  • The Ina Valley and Southern Shinshu (Nagano) — wide-open countryside, small towns, farm landscapes, and beautiful views of the Central and Southern Alps
  • The scenic Kiso Valley, including stretches of the old Nakasendō trail, the historic post town of Narai-juku, and Kiso Town (around a one-hour drive away)
  • Local onsen (hot springs), forest walks, and mountain hikes
  • Peaceful rivers, traditional temples and shrines, and classic Japanese countryside scenery
  • Matsumoto City (around a 1 hour 20 minute drive away)
  
  ◼️ Getting around / transport:
  Public transport is limited here, so having access to a car is by far the easiest way to explore the area. For groceries and basic errands, we’ll usually go together by car. If you’d like to take day trips on your days off, I may sometimes be able to give you a lift to a nearby station or drop you off at a convenient point. The nearest JR station is about a 35-minute walk away.
  
  Important:
  Please read the full description before applying.
  To make sure we’re a good match, please start your message with “I read everything.”

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  Etwas mehr Information

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    Internet Zugang

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    Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang

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    Wir besitzen Tiere

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    Wir sind Raucher

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    Familien möglich

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  Kann Digital Nomads unterbringen

  Dieser Gastgeber nimmt gern Digital Nomads bei sich auf.

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  Platz zum Abstellen von Camper Vans

  Dieser Gastgeber bietet Platz für Wohnmobile.

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  Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal

  zwei

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  Meine Tiere/Haustiere

  

  Charlie

  5 year old tibetan terrier
  

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