Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
10 Jun 2025
Reply rate
61.5 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
6
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
If you're a couple or a pair of friends or a single person whose self sufficient along in winter to experience the heaviest snow in Japan in Myoko. We would love it you could join to experience this heavy snow, we need lots of snow shoveling and clearing and help with cleaning. You can snowboard or ski the rest of the time, as we're within 4 local ski resorts, 9 ski resorts in the area. You will need your own transportation as it is the countryside and previous experience living or working by a ski resort/snow area.
Experience the slow life, in the Japanese countryside. Off of the beaten path of the usual and away from the overtourism sites of Japan. We are an Australian and French/ Japanese couple based in the mountains and ski area of Myoko area, and national park area, in Niigata prefecture who speak Japanese, English and French. We are Located in Suginosawa, near Myoko Kogen train station, accessible from Osaka and Tokyo's shinkansen's, via local trains.
We are looking for people who are used to rural/countryside life, with experience living working in the mountains previously, unfortunately if you are from the city it is unlikely that we will accept your request, as we have found that this area isn't suitable.
You'll be staying in a cabin style private accommodation, in a quiet woodland area below the mountains, the total opposite of the busy cities. There a two storey cabin, the kitchen, the bedroom for two people, for friends, or a couple, or an individual who doesn't mind sharing the space, in on the second floor, the bathroom and toilet is in the basement floor.
In Spring after the snow melts April to November, we will need help with firewood making, stacking, a helping hand with renovations, sawmilling, if you'd like to help us with our developing Permaculture projects in our various personal garden.
We're also happy to do a language exchange, if you'd like to practice Japanese, French, English.
Close by to Myoko Togakushi Renzan National Park, with the trail head directly from our house. Also close to the Shin-etsu and Amatomi Trails. There is lots of hiking trails, mountains to summit and natural hot springs, onsen. Also close by is Lake Nojiri in Shinanomachi a great summer spot to Kayak, Sail, SUP, Swim and cool down in the summer heat. The sea of japan is around 40 min drive from our house, fishing, surfing, beach time along Naoetsu beach.
Suginosawa is accessible with countryside style public transportation, the closest train station is Myoko Kogen station, accessible from Nagano station, there is a bus a few times a day which stopes close by. We recommend personal transport, you will need your own car or bicycle.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Culture
Self development
Van life
Farming
Gardening
Cooking & food
Music
DIY & crafts
Architecture
Carpentry
Nature
Hiking
Cycling
Outdoor activities
Winter sports
Yoga / Wellness
Mountain
Beach
Camping
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Come to Myoko and learn about mountain slow life, traditional Japanese mountain vegetable in Spring and mushroom harvesting in Autumn/Fall. Vegetable conserving/ pickling. Traditional Japanese mountain cooking.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We need help with renovation/ construction projects, Sawmilling, Firewood making and stacking, personal gardening, Landscaping, Building Maintenance.
permaculture projects (April - Nov )
We're also happy to do a language exchange, if you'd like to practice Japanese, French, English.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Japanese: FluentThis 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
We have a one Bedroom cabin with 2F Kitchen/ dining, Bedroom with wood stove.
1F Toilet, Bathroom, laundry.
The front of the cabin has a deck to enjoy the sun and read a book.
The Cabin is private for work away only.
This would be perfect for a couple, or a group of 2 people who are friends.
What else ...
If you'd like to experience Japan that is less touristy, off the beaten path and closer to a local Japanese person's day to day life. Your time off can be enjoyed by the lake at Nojiri, hiking in the mountains, mountain biking at Alpen Blick ski resort, (formerly Ikenotaira) or soaking in a natural hotspring (Onsen) like Tsubame Onsen or going to the beach for a surf or to enjoy the ocean and its delicious sea food. We are in Niigata prefecture, but located close about 45 mins drive, 50 mins local train to Nagano station. Nagano is a lovely city, with Zenkoji temple, and the famous snow monkeys in Yudanaka area, where there's great onsen/hot springs.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have flat space to park and connect to power / water if required.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (4)
Thanks
Leif & Nanaco
First and foremost, the work was a great insight into a sufficient permaculture set up. Plenty of getting your hands dirty and transforming the land into a pleasant garden. It was superb to see such a quick transformation and I learnt some useful knowledge and techniques. On other days, we chopped wood, helped to… read more
We would happily have him stay again.
Very handy guy, keen worker.
Thanks
Leif & Nanaco
It was nice and peaceful to stay remote in nature while doing some rewarding work.
The cabin we stayed in was fully equipped and well organized, it's quite a remote place so we did a lot of cooking ourselves.
There are also a few nice restaurants 15-min cycle away (there were two bicycle… read more
Photos
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(4.8)
Thanks
Leif & Nanaco
First and foremost, the work was a great insight into a sufficient permaculture set up. Plenty of getting your hands dirty and transforming the land into a pleasant garden. It was superb to see such a quick transformation and I learnt some useful knowledge and techniques. On other days, we chopped wood, helped to… read more
We would happily have him stay again.
Very handy guy, keen worker.
Thanks
Leif & Nanaco
It was nice and peaceful to stay remote in nature while doing some rewarding work.
The cabin we stayed in was fully equipped and well organized, it's quite a remote place so we did a lot of cooking ourselves.
There are also a few nice restaurants 15-min cycle away (there were two bicycle… read more
Work would include Landscaping and keeping several properties clean, chipping firewood for colder evenings or do some gardening and vegetable farming. On the side we also did some woodwork, like building a garden shet.
The working hours and conditions always were safe and fair.
Leif is a practical all… read more
I have spent 1 week working with Leif and Nanaco. It has been a wonderfull experience.
I help them with various renovation task on a cabin. Leif and Nanaco where awesome host. I really enjoyed praticing my japaneses with them as we went on trying some local restaurant. The region is amazing and a must see if you like to get out of the… read more
