Learn about natural rice farming as a lifestyle in Fujieda, Japan

Details

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  Description

  🌱 Natural farming is not just agriculture — it is a way of life.
  
  Live simply, grow rice for self-sufficiency, and experience sustainable rural life in Japan.
  
  Hi everyone!
  
  Thank you very much for taking the time to visit our page!
  
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  We are looking for one volunteer to help with tanemomi-oroshi (hand-sowing rice seeds).
  
  The period is around one week in early April.
  As the work cannot progress when it rains, we would appreciate volunteers who can be flexible with the schedule.
  
  The work involves placing rice seeds one by one into the seedbed in the paddy field.
  It is a very simple task and does not require much physical strength, but it does require patience and concentration.
  Each seed is placed carefully, keeping an even distance between them, in a quiet and focused atmosphere.
  
  In addition to valuing calm, careful handwork,
  because work stops on rainy days,
  we hope to meet people who can contribute to the farm and our natural farming practices
  through their own skills —
  by shaping, expressing, or bringing flavour to what we do.
  
  For example:
  • Photography or video editing skills
  • Artistic skills such as drawing, design, or composing music
  • Cooking skills or recipe ideas using natural-farming vegetables and rice
  • Skills in social media, website creation, or SEO
  
  If the timing is right, you may be working while enjoying the cherry blossoms in bloom.
  
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  Grow rice with us using natural farming methods in the quiet, nature-rich rice fields of the Japanese countryside.
  The rice I grow is for my own consumption.
  
  We grow rice for self-sufficiency, planting it by hand the traditional way.
  The rice fields are just a few minutes’ walk from my house.
  
  Hand planting takes place from late May to early June.
  In early and late July, the grass around the rice plants is cut by hand using a sickle.
  
  In November, we harvest the rice by cutting it with sickles and then dry it in the sun.
  
  At first, the work may feel challenging, but as you get used to it little by little, it becomes almost meditative—eventually feeling faster, smoother, and even enjoyable.
  
  From January to March, during the winter months, we prepare the rice fields.
  Specifically, we dig irrigation channels with shovels and level the ground to eliminate height differences.
  We also sometimes create ridges in the vegetable fields.
  
  These tasks require physical strength, but the work is meaningful, hands-on labour that connects your body directly with the land and the seasons.
  
  We teach Japanese agriculture in harmony with the natural environment and provide meals and lodging.
  
  We enjoy sharing meals and cultural exchanges with our volunteers. Living under the same roof and eating together, we welcome you as part of our family and value spending enjoyable time together.
  
  Our lifestyle is very simple:
  “Wake up, eat, work, take a shower (or bath), eat, and sleep.”
  
  We live in the countryside, where there are no convenience stores or supermarkets nearby—only nature.
  However, it is not deep in the mountains but rather a comfortable rural environment.
  
  Around us, you can find rice fields, vegetable gardens, satoyama woodlands, shrines, the sound of rivers, birdsong, and insects—an authentic Japanese countryside landscape.
  
  A short bicycle ride will take you to a large park with a small waterfall and pond, and on clear days you can see Mt. Fuji from the hiking trails.
  
  Through volunteering here, you will sweat, refresh yourself in nature, and feel both body and mind detoxed and revitalised.
  
  We welcome volunteers aged 25 and over, as this experience suits those who enjoy a calm environment, responsibility, and thoughtful cultural exchange.
  
  🌱 Natural Farming
  
  Sustainable, self-sufficient rice farming using traditional methods in harmony with nature.
  
  We practise natural farming.
  It is not only a way to grow food, but also a way of life.
  
  Instead of focusing on efficiency or mass production, we put life and nature first.
  
  Humans and vegetables are both part of nature, sharing the same life force.
  Working in our natural farm is not just about learning farming skills — it’s an experience that can change how you live and see the world.
  
  Here, we hope you can join us and feel what it means to live in harmony with nature.
  
  Thanks.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Farming

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Art & design

  

  Nature
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Hand planting rice, which takes place from the end of May through June, is a traditional Japanese method that very few farmers practise today. This makes it a truly valuable and rare experience.
  In July, we also weed the rice fields using only sickles. It is physically demanding work, but again a very special experience.
  The rice field is 990 square metres in size, so during this period we are looking for people who are confident in their physical strength.
  
  Through all of the work, you will learn how we grow rice and vegetables using natural farming methods. In the evenings, over dinner and conversation, we enjoy cultural exchange while sharing delicious naturally grown rice and vegetables, and you can also practise learning Japanese. We also enjoy exchanging music and art.
  
  We are a friendly, home-like family and very open to intercultural exchange. We believe you will have the opportunity here to experience many aspects of Japanese culture and customs.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  You can learn how to plant rice (by hand) and grow vegetables using farming methods that are in keeping with Japanese nature.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I can only speak a little English, but I want to learn English
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  Accommodation

  Our house is a modern home built three years ago. We have a wood-burning stove, so it stays warm in winter.
  
  Your room is a semi-private loft on the second floor, which you access using a ladder. There are two windows with views of the mountains and the fields.
  
  There is no wall between the loft and the living room on the first floor, so you can look down into the living area from the loft. However, we use bamboo blinds for privacy, and the loft cannot be seen from the first floor.

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  What else ...

  ・About a 25-minute bike ride from the house takes you to Rengejiike Park. From there, if you follow one of the hiking trails a little further, you can enjoy a view of Mount Fuji on a clear day.
  
  ・A 30-minute walk from the house brings you to a small waterfall, and if you go over one mountain (there are some slopes – about an hour and a half on foot), you’ll reach Setoya Onsen Yuraku.
  
  ・About a 10-minute walk from the house, there’s a small traditional Japanese sweets shop and a local shrine that protects the village.
  
  ・There is a hot spring 17 minutes away by car, about 30 minutes by bicycle (over the mountain), and around an hour and a half on foot.
  
  ・The nearest supermarket is about a 20-minute bike ride away.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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