Help at my small inn in the remote mountains of Hida, Japan

Details

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  Description

  Thank you for visiting my profile!
  My name is Shinji. I run a small traditional inn in a remote mountain village in Hida, Japan.
The inn is a beautiful old wooden house with a traditional Japanese fireplace called irori.
Usually, we welcome only one group per night to ensure a peaceful and personal experience. On special event days, we may host multiple guests to encourage interaction among them.
  Surrounded by rich nature, the area offers wild herbs, mountain vegetables, mushrooms, and scenic rice and soba fields.
There’s also a small vegetable garden in front of the inn.
  Many guests and volunteers describe this place as “magical.”

  
  I’ve been managing the inn full-time for the past 5 years, with help from many wonderful Workawayers. These experiences gave me lasting memories and friendships that I truly treasure.
  This year will be my last year running the inn, so I hope to spend it with kind guests and helpful supporters.
I am not starting any new projects, but instead focusing on daily tasks, organizing the inn for closure, and reflecting on this chapter of my life.
  In the near future, I may start a new project outside Japan. I’d love to make friends from around the world—and maybe visit you someday!
  
  Help Needed:
  I'm looking for someone who can assist with a wide range of tasks, including:
  * Daily inn operations
  * Cleaning, organizing, and preparing for closure
  * Removing unneeded items and possibly helping with light demolition of some structure such as a small hut I've built.
  If you have preferences or special skills, feel free to share them—I’m happy to match tasks to your strengths.
  
  Ideal Workawayer Profile:
  * Experience in hospitality (restaurants, cafes, inns, etc.)
  * Enjoys cooking or has experience preparing meals regularly
  * Comfortable with cleaning and household chores
  * Speaks some Japanese (not required, but helpful)
  * Clean and respectful in shared spaces (daily showers required)
  * Non-smoker
  * Female workawayers are sometimes preferred due to the nature of the work and accommodation, but all applications are welcome
  * For a paid position, Workawayers must hold a valid work visa. All hours and tasks are paid at the local minimum wage.
  
  Why workaway here?
  Since this is a small inn, you’ll experience many aspects of running a traditional Japanese guesthouse.
It could be a valuable opportunity if you’re interested in hospitality or dream of opening your own inn someday.
  I’ll be happy to teach you everything I’ve learned over the years.
Beyond the work, I hope we can enjoy sharing our cultures, thoughts, and daily life together.
  
  APPLICATION INFORMATION — PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
  I will select applicants carefully to ensure high-quality service for guests and a comfortable working relationship.
(Note: most of the time, it will be just you and me working together.)
  Duration: about 2 weeks to 1 months
  If you’re interested, please include the following in your message:
  * Your preferred dates (from when to when)
  * Why you want to come and how you can contribute
  * Your background, experience, and philosophy
  * Any dietary restrictions or requirements
  I usually reply within 3 days. If you don’t hear from me by then, please feel free to contact another host.
  I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
  
  もちろん日本人も歓迎です！おてつたびも募集してます。日本の原風景のような種蔵にどうぞお越しください。

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Writing

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Photography

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Carpentry

  

  Architecture

  

  Art & design

  

  Winter sports

  

  Water sports

  

  Mountain

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We can learn and exchange;
  - the food and cooking culture.
  - the differences in way of thinking, and custom.
  - the language, Japanese and your language.
  - the way of living in country side in Japan.
  - the music (I play the guitar).

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  Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

  This host offers accommodation and payment.

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  Help

  The cooking, washing and serving dishes, cleaning, tidy-up things, setting up bed and sheets, setting up flowers, weeding, farming, office work, etc whole general things necessary to run an inn, but your role might be adjusted depending on your experiences and preferences.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Japanese: Fluent

  This 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.
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  Accommodation

  You will have your own clean and cozy guest room at the inn, with either a bed or a futon (Japanese-style mattress).
  Meals are mostly simple and plant-based, using vegetables, grains, and seasonal ingredients.
 We usually cook and eat together, and we don't prepare individual meals. 
Shared mealtimes are a great opportunity for communication and connection.
  I provide the ingredients—using leftover vegetables in the fridge—and we cook together or take turns cooking.
I’m happy to eat almost anything, and I always enjoy trying new dishes.
 While I don’t serve meat to guests at the inn, I personally have no problem eating it if you’d like to cook something with meat for us to share.
  When guests are staying, we usually eat the same food as them, so you’ll have the chance to experience the kind of meals we serve here.
  I also hope you can share your favorite dishes with me!
(Even something simple is perfectly fine—my cooking is simple too.)
  Let’s enjoy exchanging food and culture through cooking together!

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  What else ...

  🚌 Transportation & Free Time
  Please note that public transportation in this area is quite limited.
 On your days off, you’ll mostly be spending quiet and peaceful time in the village.
  If you’d like to travel somewhere during your holidays, you can probably take the train to the nearest city, Hida-Furukawa, or Takayama.

  I will do my best to drive you to and from the nearest station to the inn whenever possible.
  The closest station to the inn is JR Sakakami Station (坂上駅).

  For your first visit, please come to Sakakami Station on your own—I’ll pick you up there by car! :)
  
  🧘‍♂️ A Bit About Me — My Personality & Philosophy
  (0) I'm a 42-year-old Japanese guy :)

  (1) I’m usually quiet and thoughtful—not very talkative—but I can also be active, adventurous, and I love sharing experiences with people.

  (2) I enjoy meeting new people and learning from different perspectives and ways of thinking.

  (3) I value freedom and diversity. I enjoy being around open-minded, free-spirited people who may be very different but still respect each other’s opinions.

  (4) I’m a creative person and like doing things myself. Even though I was just an amateur, I built a small house and a hut on my own.
 One of my mottos is: “Anything is possible if you aim for it.”
  
(5) Another motto of mine is: “Simple is best.” I find beauty in simple things—simple life, simple designs, and simple actions.

  (6) I also live by the Japanese idea of “Mottainai”—I try not to waste anything.

  (7) I’m inspired by the philosophy of natural farming and try to apply it in small ways on my little farm.

  (8) I love trees and wood—as life, as art, as tools, and as energy.
  
  (*) Before managing the inn, I worked as a research engineer for 8 years.
But at some point, I felt the need to step away from technology and return to something more natural and essential.
That journey eventually led me to this inn, where I’ve been building meaningful connections with people ever since.
  
  🌏 Final Thoughts
  I'm quite an open-minded person, so please feel free to share your ideas with me.
 For me, the most meaningful and interesting part of life is the exchange of souls—the deep sharing of who we are.
  I hope we can create warm and unforgettable memories together.

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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

  Good wifi connection with the optical line.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

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