Help make Japanese sweets, live in a traditional Japanese house.

Japan

Favourited 2183 times

Host rating
Feedback
129
Last activity
19/10/2019
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 2 days
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Availability

2019

Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Description
This is experiential learning of Traditional Japanese culture. :)

We make sweets, dried fruits and grow our own grapes.

We have 2 kids, a dog, myself, and my wife.

We live in Okayama prefecture.
It's beautiful countryside we live in.

And we live in a traditional Japanese home.It is about 60 years old.
Type of help
Gardening
Building
Babysitting / child care
Cooking / shopping
General Maintenance
Farmstay
Help in the house
Animal care
Language practice
Art project
Other
Teaching
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Traditional Japanese culture.
Help
This is experiential learning of Traditional Japanese culture. :)

General farmwork, housekeeping, tending to grapes, helping to make our food products, packaging our food products, selling our products at the local markets for communication with Japanese people.
Helpers are expected to help out with cleaning up after meals and enjoying beautiful walks around with our dog.
Languages spoken
Japanese, English, many launguages of other helpers
Accommodation
We live in a traditional Japanese home with an iron bath and traditional toilet. Helpers stay in a separate guest house with shared bathroom and sleep on futons on a tatami floor. There is also a washing machine available for use in the guest house.
We all eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together in our house. We eat traditional Japanese food and enjoy when helpers also cook their traditional cuisine!
What else ...
Nearby is a food market, great bakery, post office and temple.
Closet JR train station is Fukuwatari - 30mins by car
Closet airport is Okayama Airport - 40mins by car
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours per day, 6 days per week

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Feedback left by and about host (129)

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:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

29/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Severine)

She helped us so much!
She is very kind. She did takes care our kids, some house keeping too.

In summer she come our home and stay about 2 weeks.
It was hot season at japan,We had good time. I am glad ,she enjoy.

Thank you so much!

(Excellent )

28/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Severine) for host

I had a wonderful 2 weeks stay with Yoshimi, Kazu and their daughters! Workwise, I think this workaway is very interesting. I helped producing sweets, package them and sell them at the local market. The people at the market were so friendly and even though I only speak basic japanese I enjoyed talking to them:) it is definitely a nice change from… read more

(Excellent )

11/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Irmelin)

Irmelin and Mona stayed about 10 days.
They have good luck. First say, they miss the station. But they helped by kind person.
It is a rare case, from Danish guests for us. We talk about each other's culture.
They helped us so much!

Thank you so much!
Arigatou. :)

(Excellent )

06/07/2019

Left by Workawayer (Irmelin) for host

we were doing this workaway for about 10 days and it went too fast... thank you so much yoshimi and Katsutaka for this unique experience and for making us feeling so welcome in your home. Your family and your daughters are the sweetest. We can’t wait till our families and friends in Denmark can try all the delicious treats ! We will indeed miss… read more

(Excellent )

11/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Maugeri)

She stayed about 3 weeks.
She liked to experience Japanese culture, and helped us kindly. We had nice time very much!

We hope, we will meet again.
Thanks for everything. :)

またね！

(Excellent )

02/07/2019

Left by Workawayer (Maugeri) for host

The wonderful experience I had at Yoshimi and Katsutaka's place was beyond all my expectation! The all family, especially the girls, welcomed me as if I was already part of the family and I couldn't feel more happy to discover the Japanese countryside than at their place.

Thanks to Yoshimi I learned a lot about Japanese culture, language and… read more

(Excellent )

11/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Eliza)

Eliza and Emily stayed about 3 weeks. We had very nice time.
They are energetic and helped us so much.
Our daughters like to play with Eliza and Emily. and Our dog likes to walk with them.

We hope, they enjoy trip on Japan.
Thank you so much!

(Excellent )

01/07/2019

Left by Workawayer (Eliza) for host

Me and Emily had a wonderful time staying with Yoshimi and Katsutaka for around 3 weeks.
We felt very welcome in their home and loved spending time with them and their very cute and energetic daughters! They cooked tasty meals for us everyday and we also enjoyed cooking dinner and baking for them a few times.
We miss Kanta lots already! I loved… read more

(Excellent )

11/06/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (KORBAC)

He is very kind men. We spend about 3 weeks.

He helps us lots of things. He can sing song, and our family love it. and he draw nice pictures. It is good our family! he
dig a ditch outside help so much. We spend nice time!

Thank you.

(Excellent )

01/06/2019

Left by Workawayer (KORBAC) for host

First Time in Japan, third and last workaway for now. That was probably the most immersive experience for me in this lovely japanese family. All of them were so kinds to me and very accomodating so I'm very grateful for that. Also it was very nice to go far from the big cities and discover japanese countryside of Okayama Prefecture which is such a… read more

(Excellent )

11/06/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Michelle)

Michelle is very nice person.She helps us so much!

We spend about 3 weeks. Her smiles make my family happy. She Takes care our daughters. Our daughters enjoy.I hope we will meet again. :)

Thank you.

(Excellent )

11/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Michelle) for host

I stayed with this family for almost three weeks and it felt just like home. They were so warm and inviting and it was truly one of the best experiences I've ever had. My daily work included helping Yoshimi San prepare sweets, selling sweets and meeting locals at the market, doing some light field work, playing with their sweet sweet daughters Ami… read more

(Excellent )

18/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Mirjam Hanako)

She stay about 1 month at our home.
She always thinks best way to do. And do it so quickly. She made many nice sweets for us. It is good for our family!! Fainaly We watch nice video that she made. It is like a funtasy movie for us.
I wish she has good luck on her life.

Thank you!

(Excellent )

17/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Mirjam Hanako) for host

I stayed at this workaway for 1 month from the middle of november until the middle of december. When I arrived, the leaves were red and it was still not that cold, but towards the end of my stay especially the nights in the guesthouse got very cold and it even snowed one day. The first two weeks I was their only workawayer, but still the amount of… read more work was not too much. In the mornings I usually woke up at 7:30 and then went for the walk with Kanta and after the breakfast I would go to the market to sell their products. On a weekday katsutakasan or yoshimisan would pick me up after 3 hours starting from 10 in the morning and on the weekends after 5 hours, starting at 9:30, including a lunchbreak of about 30 minutes. We would have lunch around 1pm at their house on a weekday. In the second half of the day, so after lunch, I was helping yoshimisan with the sweetsmaking, which was always interesting and gave me the opportunity to talk with her about everything, from their business to cultural differences to plans about the future. As so many pointed out before me already, she is such an interesting, modern women, that one can really feel inspired by. After the sweetsmaking I went for the second walk with Kanta. I miss this dog and the walks through the beautiful landscape of kibichuo! Before and after dinner I played with Amichan und Honochan, their two sweet and very well behaved daughters. As after two weeks I got company from another workawayer, I got to split up the work with her. It was nice working together and having some company in the guesthouse. This workaway was truly a great experince with friendly hosts that make you feel so welcome in their family and interesting work, that you will not find anywhere else. However, you may need to prepare for cold temperatures, if you are planning on coming during november/december, since those old countryside houses do not have any heating.
During the days off (3 in total for me) they offer to drive you to the station in the morning, so you can go and explore the prefecture Okayama a bit. Besides from the work, they also took me to a local onsen one day and the monk of the nearby temple also invited us over some times and once took us to a traditional japanese concert and an onsen! Both Yoshimisan and Katsuatakasan are very caring people. They helped me book my nightbus back, since the webside was only in Japanese. Speaking of japanese: The work on the marekt will help you improve you speaking skills, if you are looking for practice. Also both of them will speak japanese with you sometimes, depending on your abilitys.
As you may hear, I left this place with a very positive feeling and a lot of great memories! This workaway is definitely worth applying for!

Danke für alles!

Hanako, Mirjam

(Excellent )

24/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Martin & Alina)

We enjoy about 2 weeks.
They are very kind and cheerfulness. They help us so much.Martin gives us nice many pic! Alina gives us good smiles everyday. :)
Thank you so mucj and have a nice trip!

(Excellent )

05/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martin & Alina) for host

Dear Yoshimi, Katsutaka, Amika, Honoka, Emu and Kanta,

thank you for having us at your house in Okayama. We had a wonderful time with your family and felt like home. It was fun and very interesting for us to help you producing sweets and selling them on the market. We learned so much about the countryside of Japan, the people, the culture and… read more

(Excellent )

24/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Anna)

She stay our home about 1 month.
We enjoy our time. :)
She makes us so happy!

Thank you!!

(Excellent )

21/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host

I stayed with the family for four weeks in June. I was welcomed warmly and trusted from the first day on - I soon felt like a part of the family.

Usually, I worked for 3 hours at the market and later helped Yoshimi make salamino or do other tasks like preparing the packaging for the products, watching after (playing ;)) with Amika and Honoka or… read more

(Excellent )

03/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Miriam)

She helps us so much!
Sometime she sings humming at our house.
I like it so much!!

I hope she enjoy this trip!
Thank you.

(Excellent )

27/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Miriam) for host

I stayed with the family for 3 weeks. They are all lovely! I had a lot of fun experiencing the Japanese country-side lifestyle. The walks with Kanta(their dogs) gave me an opportunity to explore nearby forests, also the views of the mountains and rice fields are really nice. Often I would go to the market in the morning, it was a good opportunity… read more

(Excellent )

28/06/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Émilie)

She has good vitality! It makes us happy. :)
She did stay about 2 weeks. We have nice time.
Thank you so much. have a nice trip!

(Excellent )

24/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Émilie) for host

Working with Katsutaka and Yoshimi was a lovely experience — both of them are kind, interesting and generous hosts, eager to share both their family life and their knowledge of Japan with their guests. Making Salaminos with Yoshimi always meant I learnt something, and getting to spend time with their energetic and friendly daughters was always… read more

(Excellent )

09/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Yoeke) for host

During April and May I spent 3 wonderful weeks with the family! Being part of a Japanese family in the Okayama countryside was a unique experience and I learned a lot. It took a few days to feel fully at home, but once I did, I really felt much gratitude and warmth being there. Yoshimi and Katsukata san are a hardworking and inspiring couple with… read more two wonderful and adorable daughters, Honoka and Amika! Also their Shiba Inu named Kanta is a most friendly dog!

As a workawayer you stay in an old seperate house, a 2 minute walk from the mainhouse where the family lives. You have this whole house for yourself if not shared with another workawayer. This allowes you to have privacy and some rest at times that you feel like it. Personally I liked it and it was honestly quite cool to stay in such an old and traditional house, sleeping on a futonbed in a tatami room. Now that it was getting warmer, more bugs would come, so you have to clean at times to prevent the house from being terrorised by bugs (unless you like to be accompanied by them of course)!

A usual day during my stay would start by waking up around 7:00/7:30 and going down the mainhouse for breakfast, you usually help yourself with some leftover dinner, rice or toast with tea or coffee. Around 9:30 either Katsukata san or Yoshimi san will dropp you off at the local market. There you spend mornings on weekdays (untill 3 pm on weekends) selling sweets hand made by Yoshimi! You talk with costumers, the market staff, learn Japanese, listen and sing along with the market music, etc. Later Katsukata san or Yoshimi san will pick you up to have lunch (or on weekends you get to enjoy a delicious bento/lunchbox made by Yoshimi san!). In the afternoon you get to do different kinds of tasks. One day you might help making salaminos, another day it would be cutting grapes, helping with the packaging of the sweets, weeding around the mainhouse or guesthouse,... whatever there is things that need to be done. Before dinner you are expected to take Kanta for a walk and give him his dinner and some water. Around dinner time Ami chan and Hono chan come home from kindergarten and usually I would spend some time with them or looking after them for a little bit while Yoshimi san is making dinner. Lunch and dinner is most days together and Yoshimi prepares it (sometimes Katsukata san prepares a meal when Yoshimi has a meeting). After dinner I wash up, sometimes playing a little bit more with Ami chan, sometimes relax a little and after a while I go back to the guesthouse when the children go to bed.
My stay covered the super busy Golden Week, so I had to make longer days at the market more often, but it was a lot of fun and together with Eve (another workawayer) it was not too hard and even more fun to do! Sometimes I stayed home to do other tasks and Eve went to the market, or the other way around, so it does not get dreary.

During my free time I would explore the area: Visit the Milky Way bakery to eat some cakes, take walks with Kanta along the ricefields to the shrine or the temple, buy something at the local market, visit the other bakery with a stone oven (the bread is amazing!) and once me and Eve had more time, we went to the Flower cafe.

Yoshimi san really loves when workawayers show or teach her something from their own culture, so do not hold back to show your personal talents or share your cultural traditions! If you have any wishes of activities or anything you would like to do, do not be afraid to ask because they will figure something out for you and turn it into an enjoyable event!

Although the Ota family lives in a remote area, they are a busy family and often have many things to do or organise! I really respect this and it motivates me to be active.

Since I was there during spring, one of the neighbours showed us how to harvest bamboo, which was very interesting. Together with Yoshimi san we once went to some fields in the forest to pick some wild plants and made tempura out of it, which was very tasty!
Some other day a few former workawayers visited! In the evenings we played card games and had a very nice meal with a lot of snacks!
Eve showed us how to dance flamenco one evening, which was very funny! On my last day Yoshimi san came with the fun idea to make takoyaki! It was so much fun to do and so yummy! Afterwards we had snacks and some wine, it was a wonderful last evening and I feel so thankful towards this family.

I will miss playing tag and hide and seek with Amika chan so much and watching Honoka chan eat!

Thank you Katsukata and Yoshimi san! I am curious to see your future projects!

Warm hug,
Yoeke

(Excellent )

08/05/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Veronica)

She is passionate and kind person.
We had nice time about 3 weeks.
Her songs are very nice! :)
Thank you for comming.

(Excellent )

24/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Veronica) for host

I just finished a lovely two week stay with the Ota’s! Yoshimi and Katsutaka were great hosts along with Honoka and Amika, their adorable two daughters. Two weeks was the perfect amount of time for me. The job is in the beautiful Okayama countryside, and it’s fun to explore the small town on walks with the dog, Kanta. There are a few… read more establishments within walking distance (the market where you work, a shrine, a bakery, and an onsen) but other that I mostly spent my time hanging out with the other workawayer and Yoshimi, reading, and playing the guitar we found in the attic.
Two weeks also gives you two days off! And unless you’re planning on spending more time in the okayama area, there are a few places nearby that I think are really worth seeing. I spent one of my days off in Okayama and the other in Himeji seeing the iconic Himeji castle.

The work:
What stood out to me about this workaway experience (and not all of my workaways have been like this) is that the work exchange felt truly fair. The work was purposeful and enjoyable (5 hours a day, 6 days a week), and I was provided with three meals a day and good accommodation (and great hosts!). In the mornings I would walk Kanta, make myself some breakfast (Yoshimi would usually leave something yummy out- leftovers from the night before, bread and jam, rice, etc.) and then spend 3 hours selling sweets at the market, 5 hours. on the weekends. I LOVED working at the market. You meet lots of friendly people, most of whom don’t speak English. I speak little to no Japanese but I used the cheat sheets Yoshimi and other previous workawayers made and was just fine. It also helped that everyone who came to the stand was extremely patient. Occasionally I would get customers who were excited to practice their English with me.
In the afternoons on week days I helped Yoshimi make or package the sweets.
In the evenings I walked Kanta again before dinner.

The accommodation:
Guests stay in a 100+ year old traditional guest house with tatami mat floors and futons. There is a shower that can usually provide hot water (though not always), a washing machine, and a flushing toilet. There’s no heating system, and even though I came in April we did have a few cold/snowy days. But there were heated blankets that made for a very comfortable night’s sleep.

Other important note:
Yoshimi is a badass business woman who I feel lucky to have met! She loves it when people bring recipes from home, so we had a taco night and me and the other workawayer made cheesecake. She also organized a dinner party with a few friends where we played some music and had a great night. So though there isn’t much to do, she definitely livens things up and is a great person too spend time with.

If you don’t like calm countryside life, this might not be the workaway for you! But I’m a New York City gal and had a great two weeks.

Thank you for everything, Yoshimi and Katsutaka!!

With gratitude,
Veronica

(Excellent )

03/04/2018

Left by Workawayer (Noemi) for host

I stayed with this family for 5 days in June 2017. On my first day Yoshimi and Amika picked me up from the station where I was welcomed enthusiastically by the very lively Amika. It was so much fun to play with her and Kanta, their dog, around the house.
The work on the farm was a lot of fun, too. Harvesting, taking care of the pione and watering… read more

(Good )

03/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Liv) for host

I stayed with this family for 3 weeks in October and it was everything I could have wished for!
This was my first workaway and it was so amazing. The family was very welcoming and friendly, I learned so much about Japan and the culture while staying with them. They also have the most adorable daughters! I loved playing with them and miss them a… read more

(Excellent )

10/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Marion) for host

Hi Yoshimi and Katsutaka ! Sorry for my late feedback !

I spend two weeks in their lovely house during last july. It was my first workaway and that was a trully amazing experience ! The house is situated in a rural area surrounded by paddyfields. It's lovely, during the day you can hear the sound of cricket and during night the sweet sound of… read more

(Excellent )

16/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Deva) for host

Yoshimi is a fantastic host, a truly interesting, interested and inspiring woman, not to mention a brilliant cook.
I and the other volunteers were straight away welcomed into the family, taken on small trips (e.g. to the local shrine for a festival during golden week, going to an onsen, etc) and always felt appreciated in the work we did.
It was… read more

(Excellent )

12/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Keva) for host

Katsutaka, Yoshimi, Amika, Honaka and Kanta are all amazing!!! I loved the time I spent with them! I highly recommend staying with them if you can! It was such a great cultural exchange for me! I learned a lot about Japanese culture and language!

The highlights were going to the local market and selling their sweets, making the sweets, walking… read more

(Excellent )

03/01/2017

Left by Workawayer (Mauro) for host

Katsutaka, Yoshimi,
I am sorry for writing my feedback so late. I am finally at home and I can take the time to write it.

My stay with Katsutaka,Yoshimi, Amika and Honoka was memorable (I stayed almost a month in September).
I remember when I first arrived at the airport, I could see Amika waiting for me at the entrance.
She was jumping… read more

(Excellent )

31/12/2016

Left by Workawayer (Sarah & Mathew) for host

Our stay with the family was nice, especially thanks to Yoshimi. Our help mainly consisted in selling the sweets on the local market, and this brought us a lot of interesting and fun experiences! Many old Japanese people were very curious about us and kindly asked us many questions about where we came from, what we were doing in Japan, and some… read more

(Very good )

26/12/2016

Left by Workawayer (Emma) for host

During my month-long stay, the family really made me feel welcome - especially Yoshimi, since we worked together often! If you're a city person like me, the transition to country life may be hard, but the family's immense kindness made all the sudden changes so much easier. I'm honored to have gotten the chance to meet them all, and sorely miss… read more

(Excellent )

07/12/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Katie)

She is very kind person.

She can speak little bit japanese , and play wiht my daughter so much. And we had so so nice time. she make some sweets and foods for us.It is good!!

I hope she enjoy trip in Japan, and meeting again.
Thank you so much!!

(Excellent )

04/12/2016

Left by Workawayer (Katie) for host

I stayed with this family for 2 weeks in November. Because the farming season had ended, our duties (the other volunteer Emma and I) were mainly going to the market every morning, walking Kanta, and preparing the dried fruits and sweets. The work was all easy, although working at the market does take a bit of getting used to - you have to get used… read more

(Excellent )

07/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Rocio Cecilia)

She is first person who come form Argentina.
It was so Interesting to talk with her for me and my wife. :)

She loves our dog so much, and walked with our dog.
our god is so happy!
And she did teach nice song to my daughter!
My douther song it today too. :)
Thank you so much!!

(Excellent )

06/10/2016

Left by Workawayer (Rocio Cecilia) for host

I had a wonderful time with this Family. Katsusaka and Yoshimi are wonderful people to have around very kind and helpful and two little girls to complete the family environment.
As a volunteer I stayed in the guesthouse, a traditional japanese house with tatami floors, and the beautiful wood and paper sliding doors. I really enjoyed my free time… read more

(Excellent )

07/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Isabel)

She is very nice person.
We enjoyed our meal together and some dinner paty. :)
She has good energy, allways she makes my family so happy!

I wish she will enjoy her trip.
Thank you so much!

(Very good )

17/09/2016

Left by Workawayer (Isabel) for host

I spent two weeks with Yoshimi and Katsutaka. They are such genuine, kind and friendly people that they made me feel like I was at home. It was such a special feeling, chatting with Yoshimi while making salaminos or cooking. She´s very down to earth and funny, and she loves hearing stories from the volunteers´different cultures. Katsutaka may seem… read more

(Excellent )

07/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Orsolya & Murat)

They helps us so much. :)
My daughter likes them, and play with them.
It was good for her. and I am glad it.

They are kind and We had very very nice teme!
I wish to meet them again.
Thank you so much!

(Excellent )

29/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Orsolya & Murat) for host

Yoshimi and Katsutaka are simply wonderful people, with the cutest kid, Amica.

We had a great month there and they were always hard working, patient, accommodating and smiling. Both speak English.

The work has variety: Farm work, cleaning, baking delicious sweets, selling them on the market. And my favorite, walking Kanta:) The work is… read more

(Excellent )

15/07/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Christelle)

She is very kind and energetic person. She did play with my daughter so much.My daughter misses her. She can speak japanese .It is good for us. :)

Thank you so much!

(Excellent )

22/06/2016

Left by Workawayer (Christelle) for host

Thank you very much for accepting letting me stay with you for a month!
I had a fantastic time, made great experiences, met wonderful people and had a whole lot of fun.
The month was over so quickly after the first few days of getting used to being in the remote countryside. I miss Yoshimis cooking a lot! (especially the curry) and of course I… read more

(Excellent )

14/07/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Eleanor)

Eleanor is Help us so much.She is active person.We did repair the roof of the greenhouse.Is is very good help for us. :)

We want meet you again!
Thank you so much!.

(Excellent )

22/05/2016

Left by Workawayer (Eleanor) for host

I had a really great time here. I stayed for three weeks and the time just flew by.

Yoshimi-san and Katsutaka-san are great hosts, very approachable and helpful. Ameika-chan is very cute too!

The farm is set in the beautiful countryside and it is very peaceful. The work was varied, and was around four to five hours a day with one day off a… read more

(Excellent )

01/05/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Mina)

Mina is kinf person. She did stay here about a month, and we had nice time. We did go place to enjoy "Sakura". it was so nice for us. :)

I hope, she comes back again, or I go to Canada. :)
Thank you so much!

(Excellent )

28/04/2016

Left by Workawayer (Mina) for host

I really enjoyed myself at Katsutaka and Yoshimi's house and sincerely appreciated the opportunity to have experienced the Japanese country-side lifestyle. The family was very kind and welcoming. I will truly miss the beautiful scenery and natural environment of the Japanese country-side. Absolutely beautiful.

I also really enjoyed the… read more

(Very good )

05/04/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Regitze)

Regitze and Josephine help us so much!
They teach us how to make one nice Denmark sweets!!
It is so nice. :)

We had very very nice time.They play with our daughter and they walked with our dog. Their smile gave us always to make us happy.

We miss them and hope to meet them again.Thank you so much!

(Excellent )

04/04/2016

Left by Workawayer (Regitze) for host

I stayed with this Family with my sister for some 24 days in march, and it was amazing! We didn't do much farm work, because the weather was still a bit cold, but we got to make sweets and sell them at the market which was a great way to get out and speak with a lot of locals.
We enjoyed walking with the family dog, Kanta, and got to see a lot of… read more

(Excellent )

04/01/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (ISABELLE)

She made crepes for us.It is so nice!
and She teached to us how to make crepes!!
and We saled it together on the market. :)

We wish she have good trip in Japan.
Thank you!!

(Excellent )

01/01/2016

Left by Workawayer (ISABELLE) for host

I was 3 weeks in Yoshimi and Katsutaka's family and It was a very good expérience. They are very curious about differents culture and French receipes, they bought a big pan and we sold crêpes on the market. They are always available and ask help kindly. The countryside is beautiful and guesthouse very confortable. Energic Amika is so cute and… read more

(Excellent )

04/01/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Rosalie & Dorian)

She helps us so much. :)
She draws our product signs.It is so nice!
and She takes care our daughter.
We had her birthday party! It is so nice memories.

Thank you so much. :)

(Excellent )

25/12/2015

Left by Workawayer (Rosalie & Dorian) for host

Thank you Yoshimi and Katsutaka!
I spent a month here and i had a good time. I felt very welcome.
The family is a pleasure to work with. They are truly kind, helpful and always smiling. Their daughter Amika-chan is the cutest little girl i know!
I was there in December so i didn't have the opportunity to do farm work. Instead we made lots of… read more

(Excellent )

21/12/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Linda)

She helps us so much.
And I think ,she did enjoy Okayama. :)

Thank you so much!

(Excellent )

18/12/2015

Left by Workawayer (Linda) for host

I spent two weeks with Katsutaka and Yoshimi (and sweet little Amika) and had such a wonderful time! They are super friendly and helpful and I really felt at home at their place.

I loved helping with making and packaging the sweets, at the market, and with some light work in the fields. It was truly a fascinating experience and I'm so grateful… read more

(Excellent )

21/12/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Aislinn)

She is youg.
But she know many things.
So her help is so good for us!
Thank you and We hope to meet again. :)

(Excellent )

10/12/2015

Left by Workawayer (Aislinn) for host

I stayed with Yoshimi and Katsutaka for two weeks this summer, as part of a two month trip in Japan, and I have to say that my time with them was still my favorite part of my whole trip. The work was good, interesting and engaging, and I particularly liked helping out at the market and selling sweets. The sweets were SO GOOD, and the food that we… read more

(Excellent )

21/12/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Maria)

We had nice time.
Her's photos are so nice. :)
Thank you!

(Excellent )

27/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (Maria) for host

The family's home was one of the best stops in my Japanese adventure! It's a place full of warmth, love, interesting people and obviously delicious grapes. The food in general is great and authentic! I wrote two blog posts on my time there, they're in Polish so you can either use a translator or simply look at the photographs - they speak for… read more

(Excellent )

21/12/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Nahelia)

She Helps us so much! :)

(Excellent )

25/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (Nahelia) for host

(Very good )

24/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Paula)

Thank you so mych too!
She stay more than 3 weeks. She likes japanese foods ,it is good for us.She is kindy person.We wish , She has nice trip in Japan!

(Excellent )

23/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (Paula) for host

Thank you so much for that nice time!
I stayed for more than 3 weeks with the family. From the first day I felt directly like at home. The work included: helping with farming, making and selling the sweets on the local market and walking Kanta, the cute japanese dog. So the work is fun and not hard, especially selling the sweets on the market was… read more

(Excellent )

23/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Berta)

She helped us so so much! and We had nice time. :)
We miss her and want to meet again!
Thank you!

(Excellent )

20/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Claudia)

Claudia helps us so kindly.we had very nice time.She maked some sweets for us.It is so nice.We enjoy it. and She gives us nice idea. :)
Thank you so much.We hope to meet again!

(Excellent )

08/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (Claudia) for host

I had such a wonderful time here! They are an incredibly kind and warm and welcoming family and I felt at home straight away. We were served amazing meals every day and I even got the chance to bake some cakes!
Working for their sweets company was fun and easy work; from making the salaminos to selling them at the market. It is also very… read more

(Excellent )

19/10/2015

Left by Workawayer (Mary-Rose) for host

I really enjoyed the two weeks I stayed with Katsutaka, Yoshimi and lovely Amika. They were very warm and generous hosts, eager to learn about different cultures and happy to share there own way of life with me. I had a wonderful time making sweets with them, selling them at the local market, walking Kanta (their dog) and doing some garden work in… read more

(Excellent )

28/09/2015

Left by Workawayer (Simona & Dušan) for host

I stayed with Yoshimi and Katsutaka for almost two months and I had a wonderfull time!!! <3

The whole family (Yoshimi, Katsutaka, Amika, Kyoko and of course Kanta) gives the place a really warm and home-like atmosphere. I really enjoyed the work, especially selling at the local market where people are so nice and friendly.

Also the local bakery… read more

(Excellent )

25/09/2015

Left by Workawayer (Réka) for host

I had an amazing time with thisfamily and learned so, so much. They went out of their way to make sure I and the other workawayers were comfortable and once they found out that I was a passionate cook most of my work was preparing meals! Nevertheless I got many opportunities to do different things, from working on the market, preparing Pione (oh… read more

(Excellent )

02/09/2015

Left by Workawayer (Ludovic) for host

It's a good place to stay in a Japanese family and living in community with other workawayers.
My first day I had the opportunity to go to a local festival, for me it was very intensive, a wonderful moment. The work was always asked politely. The work was: prepare sweets cakes, sell on the market, weeding and cleaning. The guests staying in… read more

(Excellent )

24/08/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Tabea)

She help us so kindly.She has nice smile.It makes us so happy.We had to enjoy when she did stay our house.She comed with her friend (Ebru).I wish they had nice trip in Japan. :)

Thank you so much!
and I hope see you again too!

(Excellent )

21/08/2015

Left by Workawayer (Tabea) for host

I had an amazing time staying with the family in the beautiful countryside of Japan!
It was my first workaway experience and I am very grateful that I had such an incredible time0 getting to know japanese way of life.
We had so much fun selling home made sweets at the market and trying to talk to the customers to improve our japanese. Working at… read more

(Excellent )

24/08/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Ebru)

She help us so much. and She makes some turkish foods and sweets.It is so good for us.We had to enjoy when she did stay our house.She comed with her friend (Tabea).I wish they had nice trip in Japan. :)

Thank you so much!
and I hope see you again too!

(Excellent )

21/08/2015

Left by Workawayer (Ebru) for host

This was my very first workaway experience and it was absolutely amazing!

To stay with the family was so much fun! I helped them at the market or at the farm and worked for about 5 hours a day. And I really liked to make my own sweets and sell them on the weekends :)) And I enjoyed playing with Amika-chan and spending the time with the family,… read more

(Excellent )

20/08/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Federica & Daniele Thomas)

She says "This is first workaway experience".But She helps us so well. She stay about 1 week. We have nice timem becouse She is nice and kindly.ans She know some japanese , It is good for us. :)

I wish she has nice trip and nice experience.
Thank you very much!

(Excellent )

12/08/2015

Left by Workawayer (Federica & Daniele Thomas) for host

I spent only one week with them and it was my first workaway experience but I really enjoyed it!

We had to help making sweets, selling them at the michi no eki, walk with the dog twice a day and sometimes to work in the field (only sometimes because in July grape doesn't need anything so we only planted white azuki). They've always cooked great… read more

(Excellent )

24/07/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Laura)

Laura comes with her friend(Mary-Rose). and They help us so kindly. :) They make gingerbread for us. It is so tasty and nice. and Laura's smile make us happy.We share short time,but is is so nice.Thank you and good luck!

(Excellent )

22/07/2015

Left by Workawayer (Laura) for host

Katsutaka and Yoshimi were very warm and generous hosts. I had a wonderful time making sweets with them, selling them at the local market, and doing some garden work in the beautiful Japanese countryside.
Thank you for everything =)
Laura

(Excellent )

10/07/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Sabine)

We have good time so much!She did stay over a month.
She supported very well supported when new guests come.
We glad, She enjoy to stay our home. :)
and We wanna met her again!!
Thank you!

(Excellent )

20/06/2015

Left by Workawayer (Sabine) for host

This was my first Workaway experience and it was great, better than I ever expected. I stayed 8 weeks with the family and helped them with the production and the the sale of sweets and also with the farmwork. The work was very easy and I had a lot of free time. The family is so lovely, the welcome was warm and I felt like being a part of the… read more

(Excellent )

13/06/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Martina )

She can Japanese very well. We surprised, she speak japanese naturally! And she helps us so much!We have lots of nice time and good feeling. :)
We hope,she had good experience in our days. And we hope to meet her again!
Thank you MARU-chan.

(Excellent )

13/06/2015

Left by Workawayer (Martina ) for host

Living and helpibg out at the sweets factory and around the house with the family was my first work away experience and it was the best start I could have wished for!:) The work was more than fair, we always did a variety of tasks and if you are interested in Japanese culture, it's a great chance to learn a lot - Yoshimi-San shiwed us some of her… read more

(Excellent )

19/04/2015

Left by Workawayer (Constanze) for host

This is pure traditional Japanese farm life. Not even Japanese people will usually have experienced something like this. I'm saying this with a big smile on my face as it was one of the most traditional and unique experiences I've had.
Harvesting rice (cut by hand), cutting bamboo from the forest to make stands for the rice to dry on and walking… read more

(Excellent )

29/03/2015

Left by Workawayer (puggioni) for host

I spent three weeks in Japan with this family. Katsutaka e Yoshimi are lovely hosts and very friendly people. Amica, their little daughter, is a wonderful child, full of life!
I spent great moments with them and the other volunteers. I was involved in different kind of job: I tried the pleasure of collaboration and I learned a lot of new things… read more

(Excellent )

23/03/2015

Left by Workawayer (Tina) for host

I spent two weeks with the family in February and it was a great experience. I learned a lot about Japanese culture, ate a lot of delicious home-cooked meals (I still can't get over how tasty mochi with red beans was!) and spent some lovely moments with both the family and other volunteers.
As far as work is concerned, I really liked how organised… read more

(Excellent )

22/03/2015

Left by Workawayer (Kerrie) for host

An extremely warm and welcoming family, which certainly made up for the cold weather during the month of February. There is an opportunity to get involved with a variety of tasks which is great. I believe the variety Wilkinson increase during later seasons. Thank you!

(Excellent )

21/03/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Lucy)

Lucy and we had very nice time about 1 month!
She have nice skill and helped us so so much.
We wanna meet her again!

Thank you!

(Excellent )

19/03/2015

Left by Workawayer (Lucy) for host

Yoshimi and Katsutaka were incredibly lovely hosts, they made me feel very welcome and comfortable and safe. The work was interesting and always changing so I was never bored. I spent a perfect four weeks in their home and fell completely in love with the place, I've only been gone for a few days but I already miss it terribly, I want to go back… read more

(Excellent )

17/01/2015

Left by Workawayer (Brendan & Sophie) for host

My partner Sophie and I both loved staying and working with Yoshimi and Katsutaka. We spent a wonderful 6 weeks working on the farm, garden and market.
The making of the sweets, which are a mix of European confectionery with japanese influence was great fun and developing new ideas of what to do with the Pioné was great fun.

(Excellent )

15/10/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Brendan & Sophie)

Sophie and Brendan cook nice meals for us!!
It is so nice. :)
We have lots of many nice time for a month.
We wish they come back again!!

Thank you!

(Excellent )

12/01/2015

Left by Workawayer (Akiko) for host

Thank you!
I could not meet to his wife and child. But he and his mother and people who live in the town were so kind and so wonderful. And I could learn a lot of thing.
The sweets which they make were also very nice. So I'm glad to be able to help with it.
I hope see you again!

(Very good )

09/01/2015

Left by Workawayer (taria ) for host

beautiful
dedicated
giving

i look forward to returning
to stay with this wonderful host

(Excellent )

15/10/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (taria )

She helps us Very much!!
We make many sweets.
and she gives us many nice idea!!

We wish she will have nice trip.
Thank you Taria. :)

(Excellent )

23/12/2014

Left by Workawayer (Angelia) for host

It was a really memorable and humbling experience with the family. They are very kind, helpful and friendly people and they are always very willing to share more about their culture and ideas. They cook really nice meals. It was an amazing trip spent in the peaceful countryside and I have learnt a lot from them. Thank you so much for the warm and… read more

(Very good )

15/11/2014

Left by Workawayer (Chloe) for host

I spent a good time with the family in August. Even if the weather was not really good during the whole month I stayed with them, my stay went well and I did a lot of things.
We worked during the morning and the beginning of the afternoon, and the rest of the time was free. Our job was mostly to make sweets or to cut and dry some peaches, and then… read more

(Very good )

25/10/2014

Left by Workawayer (Polly) for host

I stayed with Yoshimi & Katsutaka for almost 7 weeks at the start of the Autumn and had an absolutely brilliant experience! They are incredibly kind and so welcoming to everyone that comes through their home on their own adventures.
Meal times were wonderful and a great opportunity for everyone to get to know one another better as life is busy… read more

(Excellent )

15/10/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Polly)

She is very nice!
She makes our home very clean.
We are so happy!!

and she helps us many thing!
Thank you so much. :)

(Excellent )

17/10/2014

Left by Workawayer (Cristina) for host

This was my first workaway experience and it couldn't have been better. I loved staying with the family as they made me feel very welcome. Being able to help and getting to know more about this family, their work and the other workawayers was a precious experience. Thank you family for the wonderful stay and I wish you all the best for your family… read more

(Excellent )

17/09/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Lucie)

We have nice time for 10 days :)
She is very kind person and friendly.
Thank you so much! and have a nice trip!!

(Very good )

04/09/2014

Left by Workawayer (Lucie) for host

This was my first Workaway experience and I stayed for 10 days with the family. They speak very good English, they are very kind and attentive and there is always a good organization to follow. This is a beautiful piece of countryside to explore. The house is traditional, but the volunteers sleep in a separate house with modern toilet and… read more

(Very good )

06/08/2014

Left by Workawayer (Oliver) for host

I stayed with them for two weeks.

I was a great stay with different things to do - I did:

- Grass cutting
- Weeding
- Cleaning
- Making "traditional japanese sweets"
- Selling them
- General farm restoration

They are very friendly people and speak a good english. They take you to different cities to sell the crops and sweets.

Over all a… read more

(Very good )

06/08/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (May)

She is very kind. :)
And She helps us so much.
I wanna see her again.
Thank you!

(Excellent )

06/08/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Joan & Carlos )

They help us so much!!
I hope , they have nice trip in Japan.
thank you and good luck!

(Excellent )

20/07/2014

Left by Workawayer (Yunsi) for host

It was a very eye opening for first timer on workaway for a month. katsutaka-san and Yoshimi-san are nice and welcoming people. In the house I get to experience rice field planting, weeding, grass cutting, graph farm and simple Italian sweet making. Others will be basic house cleaning and some cooking. And I have met a lot of great workaway… read more

(Very good )

16/07/2014

Left by Workawayer (Winni) for host

I stayed with the family for 10 weeks, this were my tasks:

- Making Italian sweet in 4 different flavors.
- Going to the market to sell the sweets, dried grapes and cookies.
- General cleaning in the guesthouse.
- Taking care of their daughter.
- Weeding by cycle.
- Cooking lunch or dinner.
- Miscellaneous tasks inside and outside the house.

My… read more

(Very good )

11/06/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Margaux)

They are Very Good and sincere.
I can not forget their smile.
I wish We meet again!
thank you. :)

(Excellent )

09/06/2014

Left by Workawayer (Margaux) for host

We spent approximately 3 weeks at this workaway, and had a great time. The family is absolutely amazing. Katsutaka is a funny guy, and was so nice and helpful when I got sick. Yoshimi is so caring and friendly. They both are very interested in other cultures, and do a great job at showing us theirs. We ate delicious food and were able to hear… read more

(Excellent )

29/05/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Ina )

Thank you for long stay about a month. :)
She all ways helps us so much.
I hope you enjoy japan!

(Excellent )

29/05/2014

Left by Workawayer (Ina ) for host

For everyone who wants to learn more about the Japanese culture in general and Japanese farming in particular, I can really recommend this place!
During my 5 weeks on this farm, Yoshimi-san and Katsutaka-san have always been so patient and friendly and I felt like being part of the family immediately.
There is always a variety of very different… read more

(Excellent )

10/05/2014

Left by Workawayer (Naomi & Matt) for host

Me and my friend Matt had a wonderful time with katsutaka-San and his very kind family! They made us feel so welcome, and we did lots of different and interesting jobs. They cooked food very delicious, traditional Japanese food and the country side around is the most beautiful I have ever seen. It was wonderful!! Thank you so much.

(Excellent )

09/05/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Naomi & Matt)

Theny help us very much! :)
Naomi Can speak Japanese little.
It is good for us.
thank you!

(Excellent )

06/05/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Sandra)

She helps us very much!
Thanks a lot. :)

(Excellent )

29/04/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Mademoiselle)

She is very nice!
So kind person.
Katsutaka

(Excellent )

25/04/2014

Left by Workawayer (Kasey) for host

The family were a pleasure to work with! It was a lot of fun to play with Amika-chan, make saramino cookies, and prune the grape vines. Thanks you so much for having me! :D
~Kasey

(Very good )

05/03/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Kasey)

She takes care of our daughter very much. :)
and Working in the market is very well.
Thank you so much!
Katsutaka

(Very good )

01/04/2014

Left by Workawayer (Varvara) for host

Thank you! I had a great time! I enjoyed all my days and activities and there was a nice flow! I wish to see you again ! All the best !

(Excellent )

01/04/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Varvara)

She helps us very much!
and cooking is very well.
I hope ,she has nice trip of Japan. :)

(Excellent )

22/03/2014

Left by Workawayer (Claudia) for host

I had an amazing experience doing Workaway with Katsutaka and Yoshimi. They were always trying to please us. They gave me nice and warm clothes (I had no winter clothes). They brought us to Onsens and cooked nice dinners. They have a lot of work to be done: baking, cleaning, farming, babysitting. There are always new guests coming to help… read more

(Excellent )

19/03/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Claudia)

She is very nice!
and cheerful and happy.
We have nice time, and I wish she has nice trip.
Katsutaka

(Excellent )

04/03/2014

Left by Workawayer (Eleonora) for host

Thank you so much!
I learn a lot of things about japanese sweets and traditions!
They are good host and beautiful family!
Big kiss ^^

(Very good )

18/02/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Eleonora)

She is very kind.
She cooked us a dish of Italy.It's so nice. :)
We enjoy our time.
I wish ,she have nice trip.

(Excellent )

10/02/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Anna)

She helps us very much!!!!
We make Japanese sweets Together. :)
We love her bread. I can't forget it!
and We wish ,she has nice trip.
Thanks Anna

(Excellent )

09/02/2014

Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host

I stay in this house for month and it was a wonderful experience. The family is really lovely and I felt like home :) If you want to discover a traditionnal japanese way of lifeand like to cook that is the perfect place.
Thank you again for everything!!!
I will miss your family! Big hug to Amika-chan!

Anna

(Excellent )

14/01/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Shahreezatul)

When she comes here, It is very cold. But she helps us very much.
She cook nice meals for us. It is very good! I love it!!!
She worked very polite. It makes us happy. :)

(Very good )

14/01/2014

Left by Workawayer (Shahreezatul) for host

I had a wonderful one-week time at their house. It was a priceless experience. I would recommend this to anyone who's looking for a genuine japanese countryside experience. Winter is very cold, but these kind-hearted people would definitely warm your heart. (⌒_⌒)

(Very good )

31/10/2013

Left by Workawayer (Rossana) for host

For one month I had great time with Yoshimi and Katsutaka. I Thank you so much!A bis kiss to the little princess Amika and a big hug to the mother.
See you!!
Rossana

(Excellent )

30/10/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Rossana)

She helps us very much!
We have lots of nice time!
Ciao ciao!!

(Excellent )

18/09/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Oleksandr)

Oleksandr is very good.He helps us very well and give us good　memories.I hope see you again too! :)

Katsutaka

(Very good )

17/09/2013

Left by Workawayer (Oleksandr) for host

Katsutaka and Yoshimi and their very nice small daughter Amika were very good and kind to me! I had work in the grapes farm every day. It was good work! I hope see you again!

Alex

(Very good )

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Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Japan Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Asia Family Japan Last minute Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Japan

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