Help renovate an old Japanese Farmhouse in Hyogo, near Himeji, Japan

Japan

Favourited 398 times

Host rating
Feedback
18
Last activity
12/10/2019
Nº of Facebook friends
804
Reply rate
71.4 %
Average reply time:
within 6 days
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Availability

2019

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What's this?

Details

Description
My name is Mark. I am offering the opportunity to work on rebuilding and decorating a beautiful 100 year old Japanese Farmhouse (Kominka). Be instrumental in helping renovate and make available a unique piece of Japanese history. It is a on a trainline with access to Himeji (35mins), Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. I need build with roofing skills and also installing a wet room for the Spa Bath....I need someone who has installed Solar Water Heating systems for a roof in an open system without assisted heating. I can't offer food or help with the groceries and that is why the work expectation is only 15 hours per week.
Type of help
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Farmstay
Help with Eco project
Helping with Tourists
Art project
Other
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Artist's Retreat Promotional Video

Reviews
In English >
In German >
Help
The work will be general renovation work: Painting, building and decorating. Working in the garden and being creative.
Languages spoken
English, Japanese,
Accommodation
Have access to an old Japanese Farmhouse. There are a number of bedrooms. There a basic cooking and washing facilities
What else ...
There are beautiful places to visit near by, plus you will be in a authentic Japanese village. There are numerous restaurants nearby.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 2-3 hours, 5 days a week

Photos

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Feedback left by and about host (18)

02/07/2019

Left by Workawayer (Ryan & Crystal) for host

We really enjoyed our stay at Mark's house! We helped maintain the garden and the work was enjoyable and satisfying. Mark is laid back and his house is pretty special. We really enjoyed our stay. It's a great place to experience local life in Japan and escape the busy city.

(Excellent )

04/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Nicole & Maryline) for host

We had a good stay at Mark's house. The place is beautiful, lot of nice paints, old charming house.. Mark is someone enthusiastic, with a lot of projects in his mind. We did some gardening here, and started to build a green house. The nature around is also nice, with a lot rivers and hills; the village is nice too with old japanese houses and… read more

(Excellent )

19/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Sara) for host

I stayed at Mark's place 12 days during October and it was a very good experience. The village is really calm and the house is beautiful, I helped to create garden beds and for other gardening or cleaning stuff. During days off, you can easily go to Himeji to enjoy city vibes and then come back in the peaceful countryside. Usually you just find… read more

(Very good )

19/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Coline & Mona) for host

We spent one week at the house and it would s a great one! It was fun to work with Mark listening to some good music ! He took us to a tea ceremony to inspire us in creating more ceremonies! If you stay at the house while Mark is around, make sure to watch his favourite movie and you will be ready to go to the ramen restaurant around! The job was… read more

(Excellent )

13/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Emmaline) for host

Deep within the heart of rural Japan, nestled within great forested mountians and clear, rushing rivers, there sits an ancient Kominka.... An artist's retreat.

This was my first workaway experience....and an experience it was!!! I will never forget the month and a half I spent at Mark's Artist Retreat. Workawayers come and go and I made… read more

(Excellent )

17/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Emma & Chris) for host

We came to Marks house with the intention of staying two weeks. We ended up staying one month and loving it .

The house is such a special place, in an amazing spot. You can take the bikes and explore or just walk around and I'm sure you'll enjoy what you find .

In our time here we contributed and created and left a piece of us behind at the… read more

(Excellent )

15/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Cormac) for host

Stayed at Marks artists retreat for just under a month, and I super enjoyed it!

A quite village house, out in the county side, surrounded by japanese people, what's not to like?

Not that it matters much considering how much fun you're gonna have with the other volunteers, and the work was good too, everything is welcome as long as it… read more

(Excellent )

02/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (arthur & Alexandre) for host

I've spent two weeks in Mark's house next to Himeji ans it was a wonderful experience !
The place is beautiful and peaceful just in the middle or traditional japanese houses ans rice fields. It is very quiet and relaxing. I've been able to meet really cool people from all over the World !
Also the work was really great , lots or different… read more

(Excellent )

17/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Luciano & Luciana Agustina) for host

Mark was one of the best experience that I've had in Workaway! He was so generous and kind! I recommend it for sure! His house is located in Kôbe which is one of the best places in Japan! Quiet and beautifull place. Also his house is such a good Japanese style and I love it! I love Japan! Thank you Mark!

(Excellent )

07/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (wenlin) for host

Due to unfortunate circumstances (losing my passport and wallet), my stay at Mark's country retreat was delayed and a lot shorter than originally agreed on. Mark however was incredibly nice and understanding, and gave us lots of freedom on what we could do in exchange for the house. We tidied the garden and painted a mural for the shed during our… read more

(Excellent )

19/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (gülnihal) for host

Thank you so much for everything Mark. He is so kind and honest person. And the house is so old but there is still young energy inside of the house. If you are searching your self this place can your next station. I hope you find yourself in this house. I found it. Everybody deserve better change.

(Excellent )

13/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Barbara) for host

The kids and I had a wonderful stay at The House. There were several WorkAwayers that came through during the month we were there, as well as some really lovely AirBnB guests. We made some great new friends!
Mark, the host, lives in Kobe, about 1 hour and 45 minutes by train. He also hosts WorkAwayers and AirBnB guests at his Kobe house, and we… read more

(Excellent )

19/06/2017

Left by Workawayer (Chung & Andrea) for host

Thank you Mark,
I really enjoyed the short stay at the farm house. It's a nice, remote place. I met many interesting people over there.

Wish you all the best.
Chung

(Very good )

20/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Jay) for host

I was at the City Retreat and not the artists' one as Mark holds 2 houses in Japan. From my experience, I absolutely loved it. Kobe is an interesting city, small and international, with enough people to speak english to and japanese ready to welcome you.
And working at the city retreat is real pleasure. You meet lots of interestinf people (a blind… read more

(Excellent )

18/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Rebeca) for host

This is the most wonderful place to relax and feel good about doing some hard work! Mark is really nice, he won't be around much as he lives in his city house in Kobe, but he leaves you with one motto: just do it! The house needs all sorts of work done, and he doesn't mind what you do as long as you do something helpful, but there's so much to do… read more

(Excellent )

06/11/2016

Left by Workawayer (Michelle) for host

The kominka is lovely and the countryside surrounding it are stunning. As a Workawayer, it's best to take initiative as Mark is quite busy. If you can work on installing the bath and other construction/DIY projects, it would be great. The kominka has really developed organically and it's up to you to add to it as your creativity and energy take… read more

(Excellent )

22/07/2016

Left by Workawayer (Regis & Marion) for host

We spend two wonderful weeks in Mark s house : the house and the countryside are beautiful, the work is really nice, there are plenty of things to do (gardening, artistic création, decorating, etc). A really quiet place when you can enjoy an immersive expérience in à traditional japonese village. Mark is very nice and welcoming , but he is not… read more

(Excellent )

22/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Hannah & Sara) for host

Even though Mark's a really cool guy, you won't see much of him since he works and lives in Kobe. (I strongly recommend visiting him there, he can tell you more about the project and has some awesome stuff he found in the house at home). So be prepared to self-organise your work! What you work with in the house is mostly up to yourself. Since we… read more

(Very good )

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Host ref number: 113776968153

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