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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
4 May 2026
Reply rate
93.6 %
Usually responds within 5 days
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Details
Description
🏡 Art, Life, and Co-creation Project
🌟 Vision: Building Together, One Step at a Time
Welcome to our creative project in the historic town of Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture. I'm TORU, an artist.
After living abroad for over 10 years, I returned to Japan to transform a vacant house into a space for cross-cultural exchange — tackling social issues like depopulation and empty homes through art and human connection. This is not a finished guesthouse. It's an ongoing project, and I'm looking for people who enjoy building something together, step by step.
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🛠️ Activities
Depending on the season and your skills, you'll help with:
[March – July] — Active / Maintenance
DIY, painting (exterior walls and studio), gardening and weeding, upcycling, general upkeep.
[September – November] — Creative / Operational
Project planning, design, documentation, event support, cooking.
All materials and tools needed for projects are provided.
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🥗 Food & Daily Life
Basic ingredients are provided: pasta, soy sauce, miso, and other seasonings, plus vegetables as needed. When shopping together, we split costs 50/50.
When I'm home, I'd appreciate it if you could take the lead on cooking — meals are sometimes shared, sometimes separate. Flexibility is key. You should be comfortable cooking a proper meal independently.
Supermarkets are within walking or cycling distance.
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✅ What I'm Looking For
・Independent, self-motivated people who can find their own rhythm without being managed.
・Someone comfortable with both physical work and everyday life tasks.
・Early risers. This project is not suited to a "sleeping until noon" lifestyle.
・People who can cook for themselves — and occasionally for both of us.
I can only host one person or group at a time. Due to my ADHD, I work best with guests who are self-sufficient and flexible.
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📍 Access
This is in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
From Fukuoka: Shinkansen to Shin-Yamaguchi, then bus to Hagi.
From Tokyo: Shinkansen or night bus.
I will pick you up from Hagi Bus Center.
Please check transport options before getting in touch.
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🗓️ Availability
It is most active March–July and September–November.
August and January–February are quiet months — I am usually traveling during these periods and not hosting.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House & pet sitting
Interests
Vegetarian or vegan
Water sports
Music
Gardening
Events & social
Culture
Carpentry
Languages
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Nature
Yoga / Wellness
Hiking
Outdoor activities
Sailing / Boating
Camping
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Guests can learn and experience the local lifestyle of Japan, as well as the history of Hagi City.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
🏡 What You'll Be Doing
This is a real, working project — not a sightseeing stop. You'll be contributing to an ongoing process of renovation, creative work, and community building.
Work is flexible and shaped around your skills. Here's what's generally needed:
🔨 Physical & Outdoor [March – July]
・ Gardening and weeding (the garden gets overgrown fast in summer — a little each day helps a lot)
・ Exterior wall painting and interior studio painting
・ DIY and basic construction using reclaimed materials
・ General cleaning and upkeep of shared spaces
🎨 Creative & Operational [September – November]
・ Project writing, documentation, and communication support
・ Design work (flyers, signage, social media)
・ Event planning and community outreach
・ Cooking and daily life support
All materials and tools are provided by the host.
🍳 Daily Life
When Toru is home, you'll take the lead on cooking. Meals are sometimes shared, sometimes separate — flexibility is key. You should be comfortable preparing a proper meal on your own.
🤖 Systems & AI Design [Ongoing]
This is not just a single project — it's a prototype for a wider network of vacant home communities across Japan. If you have experience or interest in AI tools, system design, or community operations, your input is welcome. We're building the workflows, bots, and communication systems that will allow this model to scale — and your ideas and advice could directly shape that.
✨ Bring what you've got
Skills vary — physical work, creative work, cooking, languages, tech. Tell us what you're good at and we'll find the best way for you to contribute. Attitude matters more than experience.
Languages
Languages spoken
Japanese: Fluent
English: Intermediate
Chinese (Mandarin): IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
🏠 Accommodation
Private Japanese-style room with tatami mats and futon. Clean, simple, and comfortable.
・ Air conditioning and heater
・ Shared kitchen (IH electric stove, basic seasonings and ingredients provided)
・ Shower room and flush toilet
・ Wi-Fi available
・ 3 bicycles for free use (repairs at your own cost)
・ Studio Nomad — shared creative workspace available (clean up after use)
・ Parking space available for campervans
🍳 Food
Basic ingredients are stocked: pasta, soy sauce, miso, and other seasonings, plus vegetables as needed. When shopping together, costs are split 50/50. Buying your own is also fine.
When Toru is home, you'll take the lead on cooking. Meals are sometimes shared, sometimes separate — go with the flow. You should be comfortable preparing a proper meal independently.
Supermarkets are within walking or cycling distance.
What else ...
Hagi is a town where history and nature blend beautifully, perfect for exploring during your vacation.
A large river flows in front of the houses, with shrines and fields nearby.
Activities abound to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, such as strolling along the coast or through the mountains.
You can deeply immerse yourself in Hagi's rich history by visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites, strolling through remarkably well-preserved samurai residences and merchant districts, exploring traditional temples, and discovering local museums. Visiting Hagi-yaki pottery workshops and browsing local craft shops is also highly recommended.
For transportation, many attractions are easily accessible on foot or by bicycle, allowing you to soak up the local atmosphere while touring.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
Have a car parking space.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (5)
During her residency, I could away traveling, but she responsibly took care of tasks such as cleaning the house and maintaining the garden and wall painting at studio. And she actively created… read more
Toru himself was a very inspiring person for me. During our shared meals we had many conversations about life motivations,… read more
Toru is genuinely… read more
the place have all the facilities you need.
we had culture exchange, making meals and eating together.
and there were another workaway so we shared some space and I enjoyed it very much.
the work was not hard, you communicated about the hours and it pretty chill.
thank you for the hospitality it was amazing!
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.6)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
During her residency, I could away traveling, but she responsibly took care of tasks such as cleaning the house and maintaining the garden and wall painting at studio. And she actively created… read more
Toru himself was a very inspiring person for me. During our shared meals we had many conversations about life motivations,… read more
Toru is genuinely… read more
the place have all the facilities you need.
we had culture exchange, making meals and eating together.
and there were another workaway so we shared some space and I enjoyed it very much.
the work was not hard, you communicated about the hours and it pretty chill.
thank you for the hospitality it was amazing!
Toru is a great host, who always did everything he could to make things (and tasks) clear, comfortable and fair. He was open to feedback, flexible, and… read more
They helped with house cleaning, weeding,a nd cooked delicious veggie meals. Also left notes for future guests!
They enjoyed local activities like cycling to the shops and hot springs, bringing a fresh vibe to life in Hagi. I'm so appreciated. Thank you so much! Toru
