Intentional community-building project with sustainable practices in Otaru, Japan.

Details

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  Description

  About us:
  There's an old line that goes "What's the difference between an American and yogurt?.......The yogurt has culture." Which is to say I am American and as I'm in my 50's, I do tell old jokes.
  
  My wife Hiroko is slightly younger than me, but sh'es Japanese, so I have to admit she has more culture behind her. Because Japanese culture is so different to the West, it's a big draw and Otaru offers a good range of architecture, live music, theater and, of course, different kinds of food and drink. Most people know that Hokkaido is number 1 in Japan as its breadbasket, so many things are at their best here!
  
  I am active in sports (road biking, snowboarding, ice hockey) and in the community--working with neighbors to help them keep gardening, helping neighbors maintain and improve their properties, making and donating benches in a common space in central Otaru, etc. In addition, I've been working toward sustainability, such as reinvigorating the soil in my fields, planting fruit trees, making raised beds and water catchment systems, rationalizing energy & water usage, as well as landscaping and painting of concrete walls for a taste of color.
  
  We have lots of good neighbors and interact with them quite a lot, especially during gardening season....they give a hand with weeding, etc., and enjoy the various fruit and veg. This year was a bumper crop for corn, kabocha, sweet potatoes, strawberries blueberries and tomatoes...and I have high expectations for apples and kiwi production next year as well! And so do they!
  
  Hiroko teaches Japanese for universities in Sapporo and gets quite a lot of exercise walking/running with our papillon, Jimbei. We've taken on a rescue puppy Kanbei and trying to instill some manners...but he's more rebel than not, but with flashes of affection. In short, a good chance to learn Japanese in a normal context, with help from someone who's a pro!
  
  Hiroko really likes cultural exchange and languages and we've both lived abroad--me, UK, Israel, Germany, Denmark, Hungary and she's lived in the US, Hungary and the UK.
  
  As the country opens up again to travelers, I am looking to expand the community as I bring 3 currently empty houses up to scratch for comfortable living.
  
  If you've made it this far, well done! Now, I'd like to take this opportunity to save both of us some time in making sure we get the best match with each other.
  
  Recently, so many people have applied that I've been swamped just trying to read profiles and getting back to everyone.
  
  In addition, as I need to focus on getting the houses up and running, I am really looking for people with experience in specific areas so they can manage without too much input. For example, this past summer I was really lucky to have a young German who was very knowledgeable about plants and not only maintained our existing gardens, but also expanded them in size and health....super! So, for next Spring one main thing I'm looking help with is maintaining and developing the gardens/fields and that person needs to be able to sow, weed, make raised beds, etc. It would be a particular bonus if someone has experience setting up auto-watering systems.
  
  Whatever the main way you think you can contribute to my community, please help me by highlighting it at the top of your reply...and I'd love to hear any great ideas you have as well!
  
  Also, I am working on solar projects, both passive and photovoltaics, so ACTUAL experience with these would be massive.
  
  Another main area is renovations, but unless someone is really experienced here, this work will be primarily support, in order to avoid liability issues with using power equipment....so helping position materials, prep, painting, maybe some plaster work, cleanup, etc.
  
  Recently completed projects include
  
  >>made 3 houses habitable, and 2 of which reached the level of nice...with completely redone kitchen, redone bath/shower, etc....see the pics.
  >>architectural plans for an arts studio for Hiroko
  >>a large double-decker deck (with an aim to use the lower deck for morning and evening yoga, as well as outdoor seating for a cafe and the upper deck is slated as a work/chill-out zone for the crafts room upstairs)
  >>several Hugel cultur-style raised beds, which are now home to asparagus, strawberries, vegetable patch
  >>painting neighbors walls to brighten things up
  >>first stage of a vertical farming trial.
  
  Upcoming projects include renovation of an entryway and altering the entrance to the bathroom in one house, upgrading windows to double-pane, assembling the structure of our stage, insulating an attic and some walls, building a sun room, extending an entryway, etc. AND...put the final touches on our own hotspring/sauna!! Next, the changing room--as always, so much to do, so little time!
  
  Finally, help on the SNS side is also a desired skill set, as I want to document the other work and develop the website with video, etc.
  
  So, if you have experience in these skill sets, please do contact me and again , make the subject line a description of what you can do. Please put your best foot forward by sharing your portfolio--any pictures or other media you have showing what you've done. If you're really keen on joining us but don't have so much experience, please do feel free to apply--I was young once (long time ago), so I get it...but use "enthusiastic" as your subject line.
  
  Apart from work skill sets, we also have a strong preference for people who bring some other talents to the community--whether music, visual arts, culinary--you name it. So, please do name what you can do when you apply...it makes for a nicer experience for everyone!
  
  A note on accommodations. At present we have 4 fully ready rooms in 1 house with toilet and bath, and others come available from time to time.
  
  Our log house serves as the common area for meals, lounging, events, music, etc. It has good wi-fi so digital nomads often work here.
  
  We particularly encourage people who are interested in learning language as we can offer intensive Japanese, as well as those interested in crafts on offer in Otaru, such as glass blowing, etching, Japanese sweets, making inkan, woodwork, etc. This of course means people interested in longer stays and a deeper experience. It is worth noting that local activities such as rock climbing, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, surfing, etc. are a nice way to round out your experience and make it more attractive. Otaru is uniquely placed as a base for winter sports as it has 4 excellent ski areas within an hour away, plus the resorts of Niseko and Rusutsu slightly further afield, as well as many small areas closer in--something to suit every level, budget and taste. The powder's waiting!
  
  Finally, thank you again for you interest and time writing to apply, if you wish to join us.
  
  All the best,
  gp
  
  PS Note on photos...the first 2 are views from one of the workawayer houses, the others are pics of projects we completed thanks to workawayers, and finally pics of us!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  As my wife is Japanese, obviously there is the opportunity to see a Japanese dynamic inside the house. And because we love our neighbors, there will be a chance to interact with them on a regular basis.
  
  For the musically inclined, we happen to have a number of instruments--drums, Buddhist singing bowls, a shamisen, didgeridoos, guitars, keyboard, etc., although no talent in using them! We do have friends who are musicians, so sometimes a jam session is in order in the log house...or seeing them play in a local pub. And karaoke is always on the cards.
  
  We have extensive connections in the arts/crafts communities, which includes glass-blowing, glass etching, calligraphy, Butoh dance, etc., and many workawayers have tried out a new craft or participated in workshops and/or gone to performances.
  
  In a former life, GP was an intercultural trainer for major companies and government organizations in the UK, so we often discuss cultural differences when the need arises, and he can provide extensive guidance on living in Japan, and Otaru specifically.

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  Help

  In terms of the project:
  
  Thanks to workawayers, the first year we added a deck and bedroom to our main house, as well as doing a complete makeover of the kitchen! Since, we have been working on upgrading the gardens, out-buildings and recently acquired houses. We have been so lucky getting skilled and creative people and want to say thanks!
  
  We have been in Otaru now for some 6 years now and we are still working toward sustainable agriculture on the fields and landscaping of the ground in general. As we're moving into the winter, garden work takes a back seat, but I'm working to get winter gardening up to speed...that will eventually entail a solar-powered lighting and heating system, automatic watering and semi-aeroponics. If I can make it entirely carbon negative, I will be chuffed! Expertise in getting it going is very welcome.
  
  1. Our property has a fair amount of land with it, but it has been idling for quite awhile. I don't like using pesticides and chemical fertilizers, so my approach for the fields uses the lasagna method and hugelcultur--if you're interested in organic farming, nice! Last year we put in 2 raised beds for asparagus and strawberries, as well as converting the main garden and a small side garden to raised beds. They were super productive over the summer and we're looking for even more next year.
  
  2. A long term goal is developing the property into the center of an intentional community; currently we have a total of 6 houses and we are working to keep them occupied, whether with world-schoolers, digital nomads, retirees, slow-tourists, artists...all are welcome. In general, I keep 1 house available for Workawayers to help with work according to the season. Getting our marketing message out is front and center at the moment and is the main area that we could use help.
  
  3. The previous owner of the property left behind a lot of things, many of which have enough value to put them online to sell. I could use some help with that.
  
  5. This year when we were in full swing and had 7 or 8 volunteers at a time, and having help with the cooking was key--we look forward to a good cook next summer as well!
  
  I think that's about it...lots to do! So, help, please!

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Japanese: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  Hiroko loves language and studies constantly...with a particular interest in Spanish. GP is a slacker and has been cruising with his Japanese for ages...but would love if a workawayer enjoyed teaching at an advanced level.
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  Accommodation

  Rooms are available in Kiraku, 1 of the houses, with either a bed or a Japanese futon. Apart from couples or families, everyone can expect to have their own rooms, which I understand is not the norm, so enjoy! Workawayers are expected to keep their rooms and common areas clean throughout their stay. This includes airing their futons weekly, when possible, vacuuming common areas, and keeping the bath and toilet areas spic and span. In winter, it means keeping the path from the road to the entry clear.
  
  Depending on the number of workawayers with us at a time, you may eat with us and breakfast tends to be Western-style, with bread, eggs, salad, etc., while dinner is usually Japanese-style, so miso-soup, fish, rice and side dishes. When Hiroko is in session at university, meals are taken in the log house, with ingredients supplied. As such, we can cater to quite a range of dietary requirements.
  
  We also frequently have themed dinners to honor the cuisine of our visitors; this year that included, Hungarian, Italian, French, Israeli, German, Danish, Japanese (yes, we get Japanese workawayers, too), Columbian, more German, etc.. We have enjoyed the cooking of many different cultures, and we invite different Japanese friends and neighbors, so it's always a great way to get to know people, culture and practice Japanese!

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  What else ...

  Otaru offers plenty to do for sight-seeing and there are plenty of sources of information online about it. The same is true of Sapporo, which is close by. For those who prefer the outdoors, lots to do in the mountains or the ocean. For winter sports, Otaru is tough to beat...5 good ski areas within an hour (Tengu 15 min., Asari 20m, Kokusai 40m, Teine 40m, Kiroro 50m) plus the biggies a little further afield, as in Niseko, Rusutsu, etc., The back country also beckons for those with suitable knowledge. And I do a "front" country tours of surrounding hills when I don't have time to get out, as well as powder mornings on my little hill most days as a ritual with Jinbei...and Kanbei this year.
  
  
  As we've been in the area for several years, we can give lots of recommendations of things to do. For most workawayers that has included glass-blowing and/or etching, and woodworking. Otaru is well-known for its craft work, so many opportunities are available. Many have also taken advantage of the great climbing spots and hiking in the area, not to mention swimming in the ocean, etc.
  
  In terms of transport, I have several bikes and the bus stops right next to the property. You may also have access to our vehicles, depending on the situation.
  
  Hokkaido is well-known for quality food and Otaru in particular for fish, so you can expect to eat some great veggies and sushi/sashimi. The property in Otaru is close to the ocean and a hiking trail up to a bluff overlooking it. As the port for this part of Hokkaido, Otaru has a relatively long history and is very popular for the architecture and small shops and walking street. Our property is right next to the largest private botanical garden in Japan.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We have a dedicated shared space in the log house with WiFi, We generally work in our house. The workspace is upstairs and the downstairs is for socializing and includes a work table, lounge area (with wood stove) and kitchen. If it works for us, sometimes we allow nomads to stay and work reduced hours if they manage their own meals or cook for us...we're flexible and love to have talented people around!

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Plenty of parking.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Open to well-behaved critters.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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