Beschreibung
DETAILS

After living in the Netherlands for 30 years, we (Hiroë and Jos) moved in 2018 to Sugawacho, located in the Japanese countryside Nara Prefecture, east of Nara city. We renovated a traditional house from the Edo-era, with two mythical lions on the roof. Sugawacho is a beautiful, quiet village in a lovely green environment.

Aging and depopulation of the countryside motivate us to develop activities which trigger young locals to stay or return and urban people to move in.
At the same time, we are concerned about the natural environment, the neglect of rice fields, forests, old hiking trails and the imminent loss of the 'satoyama' tradition*.

*'satoyama' - tradition involves the age-old practice of rice farmers, who supplement their menu with food that they collect from surrounding forests and mountains. This food supply and knowledge of it is now in danger of being lost, along with the quality of the forests.

We make 'sustainability' the core of our activities and try to involve as many (young) people as possible in everything we do.
We strive for 'self-sufficient' in the areas of energy, food, water and wastewater treatment. We see this as a long-term project and as an inspiring example for future generations. Both over 65, we are young at heart and believe that being active keeps us vital.

This is a non-commercial private initiative, which eventually will be continued as a not-for-profit foundation in the future.

Our young project entails:

- organic vegetable garden (from 2019)
- transformation of ± 5000 M2 neglected rice fields into a park-like food forest (from autumn 2020); activity so far:
soil improvement, construction of ponds and drainage ditches. From January 2024: planting and caring for
windbreaks and pioneer trees. Ongoing activity.
- generating solar energy with 120 solar panels for 80-90% energy supply, installed on a multifunctional construction,
integrated into the landscape (realized in 2021)
- thinning and cleaning up a neglected bamboo grove (from 2022); making bamboo charcoal for soil improvement of
the food forest. Ongoing activity.
- renovation of a traditional house, named ‘Araya-shiki’ located in the bamboo grove (2022-2024).
- organizing or facilitating workshops, lectures, films, performances and exhibitions in Araya-shiki (starting from May 2024, except winter months)
- using Araya-shiki as a guesthouse (starting from October 2024, except winter months)
- keeping natural Japanese honey bees (starting from spring/summer 2024)

We have been working since 2020 with an enthusiastic, but changing group of volunteers, who usually work one day a month on weekends.
We also work closely with teams from two different universities, who conduct long-term research on soil conditions in the food forest, respectively on groundwater quality, its usability and natural wastewater treatment.
Finally, this is the base for the 'mirokunomichi' initiative that restores old footpaths East of Nara city and maps their cultural-historical significance.
Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten
Hilfe bei Ökoprojekten
Gartenarbeiten
Mithilfe auf einem Bauernhof
Hausarbeiten
UNO-Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung, die dieser Gastgeber verfolgt
...
...
Was ist das?
Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten
CULTURAL EXCHANGE

We are located in the province of Nara, rich in cultural history and nature with numerous famous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, hiking trails and picturesque towns. Kyoto and Osaka are nearby big cities and easily accessible.
Of course we let our guests taste as much as possible of the Japanese culture in both a literal sense through our kitchen, and through tips and information about activities and sights in our area.
Finally: this has an informal, open atmosphere where guests, visitors, volunteers and students sometimes unplanned gather around the kitchen table in order to exchange ideas, stories, creative talent and the like. Workaway guests are of course very welcome to join such spontaneous events.
Arbeit
TASKS

We’ll ask the Workaway guest the following kind of help:

- common activities in the vegetable garden, food forest and bamboo grove such as preparing seedbeds,
sowing/planting, mulching, weeding/weed mowing, watering, harvesting, pruning, cutting wood or bamboo, making
charcoal, tidying up
- assisting with activities in ‘Araya-shiki’
- possibly helping with digital communication (e.g. social media)
- keeping your guesthouse clean,
- possibly helping with shopping and preparing meals, or washing and tidying up.

We prefer Workaway duo couples, who share our guesthouse.
We assume 3 - 4 working hours per day (excl. breaks and household chores) for 4 days per week (to be determined in consultation)

We are ‘eco-farmers’ who follow a mix of permaculture, agroforestry, organic and natural farming but we apply their principles according to our own insights. We are always open to (new) suggestions that contribute to healthy food production and a sustainable lifestyle.

Qualifications:
Workaway guests are not required to have specific professional knowledge or experience in the field of ecological agriculture, cooking or food processing, although that is very welcome.
Reliability, strong motivation, flexibility and communication skills are absolutely required. We also expect our guests to be socially minded and have an above average environmental and climate awareness.

Furthermore, the guest should take into account sometimes heavy physical tasks, where you don't keep clean hands. So bring work clothes and protection against bright sun.
Boots, gloves, helmet and face protection are available. Most of the work is manual, but sometimes we use light machines. We instruct you how to use them safely.
Usually you help together with the host and sometimes with local volunteers. But we expect you to also do jobs alone and independently.
Gesprochene Sprachen
Japanisch: Fließend
Niederländisch: Fließend
Englisch: Gute Kenntnisse
Unterkunft
ACCOMMODATION
Workaway-guests stay in our guesthouse next to the main building. It offers space for two people with, shared bedroom, shower, toilet and kitchenette. The place is smoke-free.

On the 4 workdays we have breakfast, lunch and dinner together (Japanese or fusion kitchen, not vegetarian). We regret not to accommodate exceptional dietary requests.

On the free-off days we expect the guests provide their own meals. Note: there are no shops or restaurants in our village. You can always join us when we go shopping at supermarkets in Nara or Kizugawa.
Was noch ...
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Sugawacho is located about 10 km from Nara city. There is a limited bus service from JR Station and Kintetsu station in Nara (bus 106, 105 and 96). ± 45 min., Yen 710; get off/on at the Post office-stop in Sugawacho, 5 minutes walk from us.
Etwas mehr Information
- Internet Zugang
- Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang
- Wir besitzen Tiere
- Wir sind Raucher
- Familien möglich
Platz zum Abstellen von Camper Vans
Dieser Gastgeber bietet Platz für Wohnmobile.
Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal
zwei
Arbeitszeiten
Maximum 3-4 hours a day (excluding breaks), 4 days a week