Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
10 Jun 2025
Reply rate
97.8 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
6
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hello, Workawayers!
This is a Zen temple with over 400 years of history.
While rooted in tradition, we also embrace modern culture and creativity. Inside the temple grounds, you’ll find a café space, a well-designed sound and lighting system, and even a thrift shop — making this a truly unique place.
We host a variety of events where you can step away from everyday life and enter a dreamlike, surreal atmosphere. Everyone is welcome to join. We’re always working on new projects and would love to hear your creative ideas and perspectives.
Right now, we’re renovating some of the buildings within the temple grounds, working on garden design, and creating new spaces for performances and gatherings. Your help and involvement would be greatly appreciated.
(*Please note: we are a non-profit space, and all events are run on a donation basis.)
About us
The head priest is also a DJ, and his younger brother is a performer. Through diverse expressions and activities, we hope to explore new possibilities for what a temple can be.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Technology
Sustainability
Self development
Fashion or beauty
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Plant care
Performing arts
Music
History
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Carpentry
Astronomy
Art & design
Architecture
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Dancing
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You can experience the Japanese country side and enjoy hot springs.
You will live in a multi cultural environment.
You are welcome to take part in our various events and ceremonies at the temple.
Help
We especially welcome those with skills in carpentry, woodworking, and gardening.
We would greatly appreciate your help with various tasks such as temple maintenance, repairs, and garden care.
Upcoming projects include building an outdoor kitchen, tidying up the backyard, improving the surrounding mountain area, as well as cleaning and general upkeep — covering a wide range of activities.
We generally ask for about 15 hours of work per week.
Depending on the project, the required working hours may increase, but in such cases, we will provide meals and ensure appropriate arrangements are made.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent
Accommodation
The house you will be living in is surrounded by nature and is just one minute walk from Temple. You can hear frogs and animal voices and see fireflies dancing in summer.
Your room is Japanese style with futon.
You can freely use the kitchen and common space.
Please cook your own meals and keep the place tidy and clean!
What else ...
For grocery shopping and daily necessities you may use our pick up truck, therefore an international driver's license is absolutely necessary. You can also use our motor scooter with an international driver's license.
Our place is located in a beautiful city called Suzaka in Nagano prefecture, about two hours from Tokyo.
It has very convenient access to/from Nagano station (a 25 minute train ride on the local line).
From Suzaka station you can get a direct bus to the house where you will be staying.
It is a one minute drive to a Seven Eleven convenience store, and five minutes to the nearest supermarket.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (5)
The work was very fair, straightforward, well explained and never difficult. We arrived at the Spring… read more
To highlight a few of the… read more
Photos
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The work was very fair, straightforward, well explained and never difficult. We arrived at the Spring… read more
To highlight a few of the… read more
Andreas repaired a traditional mud wall and did wonderful,… read more
We stayed for three weeks at this zen buddhist (alternative) temple with Kenshi, Kai and their lovely family.
From the beginning we felt very welcome, the people are amazing and the temple has a chill good vibe.
Kenshi is the head preist and togther with Kai they made their own style on the temple while also keeping the… read more
the family is extremely welcoming and kind and you feel directly welcomed and at home. You'll stay in a traditional Japanese house, which you'll have for yourself (maybe share… read more
