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Alpine Garden & Creative Help Needed – Slow Life in Hida, Japan

  • Letzte Aktivität : 3 Juli 2025

Verfügbarkeit

  2025 

 Geforderte Mindest-Aufenthaltsdauer:  mindestens 1 Woche

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  • Beschreibung

    Beschreibung

    We are an Australian-Japanese family of four living in Hida Furukawa, a beautiful castle town in the Japanese Alps, near Takayama.

    This summer, we’re looking for someone to help with two key things:
    - Taking care of our large vegetable field
    - Cooking meals in the house

    Our field is beautiful, peaceful, and set against the backdrop of the mountains — and if you're lucky, you might learn some local farming techniques from our kind and knowledgeable neighbours.

    The garden is already planted and growing well, but with Adrian (carpenter) heading overseas for work and our daughter away on a gap year in Germany, there’s no one else to look after it. Our son is spending the holidays in Australia, so for most of the time it will be just Kate at home.

    We live in a 1960s machiya (traditional Japanese townhouse), which we are slowly renovating into a home, artist-run space, and base for community projects. The house has a shed, studio space, and guest rooms for helpers.

    We welcome friendly, practical people who love working outdoors, enjoy cooking, and are happy to contribute to everyday home life in a creative and nature-filled environment.

    If you have Japanese language skills or a driver’s license, please include this in the subject line of your message — it’s a big plus!

    Note: most of our reviews are from when we ran an artist studio in Melbourne about 5 years ago

  • Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten

    Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten

    Karitative Arbeit
    Kunstprojekte
    Sprachpraxis
    Hilfe bei Ökoprojekten
    Unterrichten
    Gartenarbeiten
    Heimwerker- und Bauarbeiten
    Mithilfe auf einem Bauernhof
    Zubereiten / Kochen von Mahlzeiten für die Familie
    Hausarbeiten
    Handwerkliche Arbeiten
    Hilfe mit Computer /Internet
  • Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten

    Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten

    English language
    Planting and gardening
    Renovation of akiya and machiya houses
    Art curation
    Skiing, hiking, cycling, hot springs

  • Arbeit

    Arbeit

    MAIN TASKS
    - Taking care of the vegetable field – watering, weeding, harvesting, general care
    - Cooking shared meals (see "Meals" section)
    - Keeping shared spaces tidy and welcoming

    Optional tasks depending on your skills and interests
    - Help with a community gluten-free project (admin, communications, photography, or map-making)
    - Assist with creative projects – including 拓本 (taku-hon) print rubbing, basic sculpture work, or possibly kintsugi
    - Simple DIY support or help during renovations


    AVERAGE HOURS:
    - 3–5 hours a day for 4 days a week + 1-2 hours on a 5th day

    We’re flexible with the schedule and happy to adjust around weather or your travel plans, as long as the veggies in the field are watered & happy.


    SKILLS WE APPRECIATE
    Most useful:

    - Gardening skills or interest in farming
    - Cooking confidence and enjoyment of shared meals
    - Japanese language ability
    - Japanese driver’s license

    Also welcome:

    - Interest in art or Japanese arts
    - Experience with admin, websites, photography, or visual design
    - Curiosity about community-based projects

  • Sprachen

    Gesprochene Sprachen
    Englisch: Fließend
    Deutsch: Gute Kenntnisse
    Japanisch: Grundkenntnisse

    Dieser Gastgeber bietet Sprachaustausch an
    We are intensively learning Japanese. We would love to practice! We have lived in Thailand and Japan, so even though English is our first language we try to speak clear "international" English

  • Unterkunft

    Unterkunft

    MEALS
    We provide a self-serve breakfast: porridge, cereal, yogurt, toast, tea, coffee, and local Hida milk.

    For other meals, we’re looking for someone who loves to cook and enjoys preparing fresh, tasty food for others. When Kate is home, we’d love to share evening meals, and the occassional lunch - and we’ll cover the cost of groceries for the shared meals that you cook.

    When Kate is away, you’ll simply prepare meals for yourself with your own groceries. Please note this is not a self-catering household - the arrangement works best when meals are something we enjoy together when possible.

    We cook with fresh, seasonal ingredients (including produce from the garden). If you’re a creative cook who finds joy in making food for others, this setup will feel easy and enjoyable.


    ACCOMMODATION
    You’ll stay in our 1960s machiya in the heart of Hida Furukawa. The house is comfortable but still under renovation, so some areas may be in progress depending on timing.

    We have:
    - 6 bedrooms, with 2 traditional tatami rooms usually used for guests
    - Futon bedding, warm covers, and shared living spaces
    - Opaque screens, not solid walls, separate some rooms (as is typical in Japanese homes)
    - Fans, but no air conditioning (summers are warm but with cool nights)
    - washing machine/drying facilities

    Usually, you’ll have your own private space. If we have multiple guests, we’ll talk with everyone beforehand and make sure the arrangement feels comfortable and fair.


    LOCATION & PLACE
    Hida Furukawa is a peaceful, creative town surrounded by mountains, rivers, temples, and old wooden buildings. It’s known for its craftsmanship, festivals, and slower pace of life.

    The town is:
    - 15 mins by train to Takayama
    - Close enough to Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka for overnight trips
    - Full of great onsen, hiking trails, and quiet cycling routes

    You’ll be able to enjoy:
    - 6 bicycles, and possibly access to our car and camping gear, depending on timing
    - Local cafés, izakayas, bakeries, and public baths within walking distance
    - Excellent train and bus connections


    LANGUAGE
    We speak English (fluent), German (intermediate), and Japanese (beginner).

    We are actively learning Japanese - we'd love to practice and exchange language during your stay!

    You’ll have opportunities to learn:

    - Japanese home cooking

    - Local planting/gardening methods

    - Art processes like taku-hon and sculpture

    - Renovation of traditional Japanese houses


    HEALTH & SAFETY
    We live with some health vulnerabilities, so we ask that Workawayers are up to date with COVID and flu vaccinations. If you feel unwell before arrival, please let us know and we’ll reschedule. If you get sick during your stay, please have a plan for alternative accommodation.


    FACILITIES & HOUSE RULES
    - Fast Wi-Fi available in most areas

    - No smoking on the property (Note: smoking outside is not allowed in Japan except in designated areas)

    - May accept pets (please ask first)

    - Camper van parking sometimes available

    - We may be able to host digital nomads or students, depending on your work needs

    - We’re a family home, not a hotel or guesthouse. We share our home with people who are kind, helpful, and respectful of shared space

    - We have a good reputation in our small town & friendly relationships with our lovely neighbours - please take the time to understand the local ways regarding noise, rubbish, bicycle parking, drinking etc


    CONTACT NOTES
    If you have Japanese language skills or a Japanese driver’s license, please mention this in the subject line of your message.

    If we’ve been in touch before — feel free to reach out again. We’ve been off Workaway for a while but are excited to welcome new people this season.

  • Was noch ...

    Was noch ...

    Hida Furukawa is in the middle of one of the most beautiful areas of Japan surrounded by mountains and crystal clear rivers. It's 25 minutes to the bigger and more touristy castle town of Takayama and close enough for overnight trips to Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka and for weekends in Tokyo. Ski fields, wild onsens and rotenburo and stunning hiking trails are within cycling distance.

    Public transport is excellent with buses and JR trains. Our place is a short walk to Hida Furakawa station and the cafes, bars, izekayas and shops in town.

    Hida is famous for carpentry and crafts and for the abundant nature and snow.

  • Etwas mehr Information

    Etwas mehr Information

    • Internet Zugang

    • Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang

      Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang

    • Wir besitzen Tiere

    • Wir sind Raucher

    • Familien möglich

  • Kann Digital Nomads unterbringen

    Kann Digital Nomads unterbringen

    We are very flexible about the timing and amount of Workaway work that people do and are very happy to host students, artists or digital nomads If you don't have much time we can sometimes work out an arrangement We have fast wifi and shared work/ studio space, we also have a shed suitable for work-working or messy art projects too

  • Platz zum Abstellen von Camper Vans

    Platz zum Abstellen von Camper Vans

    We have an off-street parking space but it is sometimes occupied, its possible to park nearby though and we know a bunch of good spots nearby

  • Hier sind Haustiere in der Regel willkommen

    Hier sind Haustiere in der Regel willkommen

    Potentially. It depends on the pet

  • Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal

    Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal

    mehr als zwei

  • Meine Tiere/Haustiere

    Meine Tiere/Haustiere

Gastgeber Ref-Nr.: 247898955981

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Weitere Bilder

Das Bild zeigt ein traditionelles japanisches Gebäude mit einer Holzstruktur und einem dekorativen Seil mit Quasten, das vom Dach herabhängt, vor einem klaren blauen Himmel.
Das Bild zeigt den Eingang eines japanischen Ladens mit einer Glastür mit einem Schild, einer großen Marderhund-Statue aus Keramik und einem Mann, der den Laden betritt.
Das Bild zeigt eine Gemüsesammlung, die wahrscheinlich zum Verkauf steht. Auf einem Tisch oder Regal sind verschiedene Arten von Blattgemüse und Wurzelgemüse ausgestellt. Der Hintergrund ist nicht sichtbar.
Das Bild zeigt eine Hand, die ein Buch mit einer bunten Illustration einer Straßenszene mit Gebäuden, Bäumen und einem Kanal mit Fischen vor einem verschwommenen Hintergrund hält.
Das Bild zeigt einen Mann, der mit dem Fahrrad eine von Geschäften gesäumte Straße entlangfährt, einen Rucksack und eine Gesichtsmaske trägt und von der Kamera wegschaut.
Das Bild zeigt einen verschneiten Hang, auf dem Menschen spazieren gehen, umgeben von Bäumen, und in der Ferne sind ein paar Skifahrer oder Snowboarder zu sehen.
Das Bild zeigt einen japanischen Makaken, auch bekannt als japanischer Affe, der auf einem Felsen steht, mit einem Gewässer und Bäumen im Hintergrund. Die Szene ist ruhig und natürlich.
Das Bild zeigt zwei Personen, die auf einer Straße stehen. Die eine hält ein Fahrrad, die andere trägt einen Rucksack und eine grüne Wasserflasche.

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Help at a coffee roastery guest house in a beautiful mountain village of Gunma, Japan