Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
17 Nov 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
8
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
We are Mayu and Peter a Japanese and Australian couple that gave up the crazy life in Tokyo to embrace the rural countryside in Niigata and Nagano. We work hard to be a part of the local community and tackle the many challenges of rural life.
Mayu is Japanese and Peter is Australian, we met in Australia working together and moved to Japan during the Covid times.
We are sociable but certainly not party animals, we enjoy good food, good company and nature.
Right now we need your help with many little personal projects from gardening, farming, partial renovation of our old farmhouse, little odd jobs. In winter we need help clearing snow and preparing trees etc for the harsh winter.
In return for approx. 15hrs help per week we offer free accommodation in our home with your own room, WIFI and shared bathroom/toilet/kitchen. We do not offer food so you would need to organise that yourself although we tend to occasionally cook meals together and shout dinner sometimes to really good workers!
We are conveniently located walking distance to supermarket and pharmacy, a nice park as well as Soba and Ramen restaurants!
We live in an amazing part of Japan surrounded by many mountains to hike or ski, Onsen's as well as a 30min drive or train ride to the ocean!
We have plenty of parking for a camper or cars! We highly recommend having a vehicle however we are also walking distance to a train station with direct trains to Nagano or the opposite direction to the sea! We also often are able to drop off to the station or other points as we are usually floating around the area with our work.
We would love to share our experiences with amazing new people from all over the world as well as share Japanese culture and learn about your cultures as well.
Our project is only for personal and not business but provided your Visa allows it, we have great connections to the local community where there may be some paid work opportunities available as well that we can recommend you to.
Ideally we are looking for people to stay a minimum 2 weeks or longer to use our home as a base of operations to explore the surrounds or just relax after a long journey.
For Winter season we are looking for a longer commitment as its difficult to change over in that time. Usually mid Dec to mid March. In winter the work mostly consists of snow removal and housekeeping!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Mayu and Peter.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Farming
Movies & TV
Events & social
Technology
Van life
Cooking & food
Photography
Languages
Music
DIY & crafts
Animals
Nature
Camping
Hiking
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Language, food and local festivals and activities are just some of the experiences you can have with us. Mayu is involved with so many festivals and interesting events!
We would love to learn about your languages, culture, food and skills!
Japanese are welcome to apply as well!
Help
We would really love to connect with people who is in to gardening and renovation, however open to newbies as well! All we need is a positive attitude and some hands!
Tasks range from cleaning to gardening, farming. We are open to anybody from all walks of life!
We want trustworthy individuals or couples that are ok doing tasks with people and or by themselves.
In Winter its snow removal and housekeeping.. Lots of Snow!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: 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 Japanese rural house with WIFI, your own bedroom (unless couple or friends) and sheets etc, shared bathroom and toilet as well as a large kitchen. We are conveniently located to access supermarkets and drug stores as well as public transport. As the renovation progresses the better the place becomes!
You are responsible for your own food however cooking facilities and fridge etc provided. Mayu and I like to cook and bbq so sometimes we may feed you too!
What else ...
We guarantee at least 2 full days off a week for you to enjoy, the house is secure and when we can we can drop you to places on our way and to the train station etc.
No parties or invitations of random people without the knowledge of the owners. We live onsite.
We expect people to clean after themselves and be respectful to the owners and each other. We do not tolerate racism, sexism or any other form of bullying or harassment.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have stable WIFI available throughout the house. We understand remote work and we generally offer a quiet environment for this. We have lots of little tables and floor cushions etc to set up your mini office!
Space for parking camper vans
Plenty of parking available with another large section on the way!
Can possibly accept pets
We are open to pets provided they are cleaned up after and not destructive. We love animals, birds cats dogs even snakes are welcome.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (3)
Elisa completed a lot of work in such a small time and we are extremely happy with her efforts. We are also glad that we were able to go on a trip together to enjoy the autumn colours!
Elisa is highly recommended and… read more
We would love to host them again in the future.
Lis was very respectful of the house and kept her room and the shared areas clean and tidy. She really can really liven up the place and make us all laugh and enjoy time together. Lis completed all tasks provided and is a… read more
Photos
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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:
(4.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Elisa completed a lot of work in such a small time and we are extremely happy with her efforts. We are also glad that we were able to go on a trip together to enjoy the autumn colours!
Elisa is highly recommended and… read more
We would love to host them again in the future.
Lis was very respectful of the house and kept her room and the shared areas clean and tidy. She really can really liven up the place and make us all laugh and enjoy time together. Lis completed all tasks provided and is a… read more
Rachels character most of all will be missed. She was always positive and respectful and never complained about a task or difference of opinion on how a task could or should be performed. Peter in particular will miss… read more
Our job during our stay was to help them renovate their dining room as part of their old Akiya house and we spent most of our time with Peter. We enjoyed learning new skills like how to use traditional Japanese… read more
It was a pleasure to see them enjoy Japanese 100 yen sushi so much and the local… read more
