Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
26 Jun 2025
Reply rate
96.5 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
40
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
My name is Richard, originally from the UK but have been living in Japan for 17 or so years. I run a non-profit organisation focused on Japanese giant salamander conservation. Part of our mission is to protect and improve areas surrounding the rivers in which the salamanders live and at the centre of that is an organic farming project and forest rewilding project.
Most of the help would be on the farm but other help might include practical conservation tasks such as building ramps, clearing bamboo from the river etc. In addition, occasional dog sitting and animal care (cleaning out chickens and goats) and use of any of your own skills and experience e.g. digital marketing, photography etc.
As a bonus there may be opportunities to join Japanese giant salamander viewing tours.
We offer basic food items (rice, oats, vegetables etc) and accommodation in exchange for around 20 hours a week of your time.
I've been welcoming Workawayers for 5 years now and it has been very rewarding! Long may it continue!
We are looking for hard working people who can use their own initiative, are happy to work independently and have an interest in wildlife and conservation. If you have other skills that might be of use to us, please get in touch!
We have a car that you can use if you have a valid international or Japanese driving license.
I’m a professional guide so I’m happy to take you on great hikes and cycling rides when I have time.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You can experience living in a friendly, rural community in Japan. A great way to learn and practice Japanese. The area is perfect for those that enjoy outdoor pursuits such as hiking, surfing and so on.
The community are keen for guests to come and to share their culture and there are weekly gatherings with locals that workawayers often join.
Help
Organic farming (non-chemical), some nature conservation activities, helping the local community in order to build better bonds.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Intermediate
Accommodation
Shared house with other volunteers. If you come as a couple/friends, you can share a room. If you come alone you'll either have your own room or shared room with a person of the same gender. I try to give each person their own room as much as possible.
What else ...
Tottori has a lot to offer! Sand Dunes, Sand Sculptures, Fishing, Manga Museum, sea and beautiful mountains and more! Just 4 hours via Osaka via bus and close to Yonago or Tottori airports for a one hour flight from Tokyo,
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.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
2 x goats: Lilly and Pikkun
2 x Pigs: Ronnie and Ray
2 rescue pigs. Quite shy but lovely boys.
Feedback (20)
The experience is a fantastic deal for a Workawayer:
- varied and interesting work (helping to build a sanctuary, organic farming, construction, building relations with the local community and various odd jobs),
- staying in traditional Japanese accommodation in a rural seaside village
- unique… 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:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.8)
The experience is a fantastic deal for a Workawayer:
- varied and interesting work (helping to build a sanctuary, organic farming, construction, building relations with the local community and various odd jobs),
- staying in traditional Japanese accommodation in a rural seaside village
- unique… read more
We stayed with Richard for almost a month and definitely would have stayed for longer, if we had the time to spare, as we had a great time on this Workaway. :)
The preservation of the Japanese Salamanders is such an important cause, so for us it was a great privilege to get to learn about the project… read more
It was very easy to get along with Richard, he's a very chill and understanding person. Even though he was away for work he was very thoughtful of us and made our stay very pleasant.
We loved hanging out with his friend Shota who showed us… read more
The local area is very quiet and rural with lots to explore including Onsen and Mount Daisen National Park.
We did a variety of work but our main achievement was a composting… read more
Great attitude and can work well alone or as part of a small team. Throughly recommended.
Really feel like Mikuriya is like a home away from home and that is thanks to Richard and our experiences there.
We have made so many friends and are coming back to visit for Xmas :)
Given that this is a fairly new host, good feedback will be essential… read more
