Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
24 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
9
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We're a Japanese-American family living in rural Tambasasayama, Hyogo Prefecture, doing permaculture and growing an organic veggie garden and orchard, plus keeping a few sheep. We're also homeschooling our 4 kids and run a small alternative school 3 days a week. Our house is nestled in the mountains so we've got some lovely hiking trails nearby, and beautiful view of the countryside.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Politics / Social justice
LGBTQ
Events & social
Sustainability
Pets
Culture
Self development
Farming
Charity work
Music
Books
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Writing
Drawing & painting
Carpentry
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Team sports
Nature
Fitness
Camping
Beach
Mountain
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We love playing music together, doing pottery (we have a small kiln to fire pieces), and doing woodworking. I'm also an amateur spinner using the wool from our sheep. Pretty much anything DIY, we are interested in, and also any skills or interests you can share with us we would love to learn about! Also, we have a long-term Japanese volunteer staying with us who is an excellent cook and makes marvelous sourdough bread and also grows willow to weave baskets. We can also support anyone learning Japanese. Nearby we also have opportunities to experience tea ceremony, zen meditation, and yoga, to name a few.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Volunteers who enjoy working outside, playing with kids, cooking, handcrafts and especially music would be a good fit for our place. Volunteers can expect to help out at our home (not our school) with gardening, property maintenance, caring for animals, permaculture projects, house renovation, tidying, and cooking together.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent
Korean: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
We can help teach Japanese or English. My daughter is nearly fluent in Korean, and I am interested in improving my French and Spanish.
Accommodation
During the warmer seasons (April-October) we have volunteers stay in a separate house with its own kitchen and bath which is a 3 minute walk from our house. November to March we have volunteers stay together at our house where it's nice and warm. Volunteers have their own room (in the case that there is more than one volunteer, you will be asked to share the room). We provide all meals, but ask that volunteers help with preparation on a rotation basis.
What else ...
On days off, volunteers can enjoy hiking or riding their bike to the town center, about 45 minutes ride away, where there are some interesting shops, temples, and castle ruins. We welcome volunteers to join us on excursions to the river, hot springs, restaurants or to local festivals.
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 a parking lot where you can park your camper.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (4)
The house is full of life and laughters, full of music instruments and good mood !
That's a real pleasure to participate in any task when one can feel such a real sense of community.
I m… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The house is full of life and laughters, full of music instruments and good mood !
That's a real pleasure to participate in any task when one can feel such a real sense of community.
I m… read more
They are genuine and kind people who made us feel so comfortable and at home from day one. We really loved sharing dinners with the whole family and all the amazing food that they made. The kids are so sweet and there’s such a nice feeling in the house.
The work was often… read more
Anna and I connected, shared humor and it was always a joy to talk to her and watch her be with the… read more
