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Hello! We are Naomi and Julien, a Swiss-Japanese couple who have traded the noise of the city for the profound silence of the Norwegian mountains. We are both artists and have spent many years as teachers in the fields of Yoga, Meditation, and Qigong. Our lives are centered around a healthy, natural, and mindful lifestyle, and we bring that same energy into our construction project.
We are currently in the middle of a dream: building our own mountain cabin from the ground up. We are about halfway through the construction and are now focusing on the "soul" of the building. This includes finishing the exterior facade using the traditional Japanese Yakisugi method (charring our own mountain pine boards) and beginning the refined interior work—crafting custom cabinets, sliding doors, and furniture.
What we love about this place
What we love most is the incredible silence and the pristine, wild landscape. This is a place where nature is still in charge. Because our site is a 30-minute hike from the nearest parking spot, the air is pure, and the sense of peace is absolute. We love the rhythm of the sun, the physical satisfaction of building with our hands, and the deep connection to the earth that comes from living off-grid.
Why you will love it here
If you are looking for a "real" nature experience, you will find it here. This is a place to unplug and reconnect. While there is only spotty cell signal, there is an abundance of inspiration.
You will love staying with us if:
You appreciate a mindful lifestyle: You are welcome to join us in our atmosphere of peace and healthy living.
You love great food: We take our nutrition seriously. You can expect a delicious, healthy mix of Swiss and Japanese home-cooking, always fresh and organic.
You want to learn or hone a craft: Whether it’s the meditative process of Yakisugi or the precision of fine woodworking, there is much to create here.
You speak Japanese: Naomi is bilingual, so Japanese speakers will feel right at home!
A note on the "Off-Grid" reality
We want to be clear: our home is remote. Everything we eat and use is hiked in. It is a wild, beautiful, and sometimes challenging environment. We are looking for kind, respectful, and hardworking souls who find beauty in the "slow" life and the "hard" work of a mountain build.
We always ask for a video call before confirming to make sure the chemistry is just right. We can’t wait to share this stunning part of the world with you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Interests
Videography
Technology
Movies & TV
Self development
Fashion or beauty
Photography
DIY & crafts
Carpentry
Architecture
Art & design
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Camping
Winter sports
Mountain
Adventure sports
Hiking
Outdoor activities
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Living with us is a unique cultural experience that bridges Switzerland, Japan, and Norway. As a Swiss-Japanese couple, our daily life is a blend of these traditions—from the way we organize our home to the food we share.
What we can share with you:
More than just a place to sleep, we offer a space for holistic growth. Having spent many years as teachers of Yoga, Meditation, and Qigong, we are happy to share these practices with you. Whether you are a beginner or looking to deepen your practice, you are welcome to join us. We also offer healing sessions and are happy to discuss our lives as artists. If you are interested in traditional Japanese crafts, learning the meditative art of Yakisugi (wood charring) is a unique skill you will take home with you.
The "Social" Experience:
Because of our remote, off-grid location, the social life here is intimate and deep. We don't have local pubs or nearby neighbors, so our "community" is the group of people at the cabin. You can expect:
Meaningful Conversations: Long evening talks over healthy, organic meals.
Culinary Exchange: We love sharing Swiss and Japanese recipes and would be delighted to learn yours as well.
Mindful Living: A chance to experience a truly "slow" lifestyle, moving in rhythm with the weather and the mountains.
What we hope to learn from you:
We love hosting because it brings the world to our doorstep—even when we are in the middle of nowhere! We hope to learn from your life stories, your perspectives, and your unique skills. If you are a skilled carpenter, we look forward to the "language of wood" we can share; if you are an enthusiast, we look forward to seeing our project through your fresh eyes.
We are looking for people who don't just want a "job," but who want to be part of a harmonious, cross-cultural household for a few weeks.
Help
We are looking for collaborators, not just laborers. Because this is our future home and a deeply personal project, we will be working side-by-side with you. We believe in the "learning by doing" philosophy and are more than happy to share our skills in construction, art, and movement (Yoga/Qigong) along the way.
We are looking for two types of help:
1. The Skilled Woodworker & Fine Carpenter
Our primary focus right now is the interior "soul" of the cabin. We are looking for someone with an eye for detail and actual experience in refined carpentry.
The Work: Crafting built-in cabinets, installing sliding doors, and creating custom furniture.
The Fit: If you are a carpenter, cabinet maker, or furniture builder who loves working with wood in its natural state, you will find this project incredibly rewarding.
2. The All-Around Handy Helper
If you don't have professional woodcraft skills but are physically fit, proactive, and love a challenge, we need your hands!
The Work: Helping with the Yakisugi process (the traditional Japanese method of charring pine boards for the facade). This is a dirty, slow, and meditative process that requires focus. Other tasks include site organization, moving materials, and general construction assistance.
The Fit: Since we are 30 minutes from the nearest road, a "can-do" attitude and physical stamina are essential.
Working Together
You won’t be left to work alone. We start our days together with a shared breakfast and a clear plan. We value open communication and a harmonious workspace.
We work hard, but we also respect the "mountain rhythm." If the weather is perfect, we might push a little harder; if it’s a day for rest and contemplation, we take it. We want to share our knowledge of traditional Japanese techniques (like the Yakisugi) and our lifestyle practices with you.
Is this a good fit for you?
Please consider this project if:
You are self-motivated and see what needs to be done without being asked every ten minutes.
You enjoy physical work and the satisfaction of a tired body at the end of the day.
You are truly comfortable with silence and being offline.
You have a deep respect for tools, materials, and the natural environment.
Native Japanese speakers are especially encouraged to apply! (日本語でのコミュニケーションも全く問題ありません。Naomiがバイリンガルですので、リラックスしてご参加ください。)
We are happy to share photos and links to our build's progress once we connect. We look forward to building something beautiful together!
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
Because our cabin is currently a work-in-progress, we are exclusively offering accommodation in a tent. This is a true, back-to-basics mountain experience. You will be sleeping in a sturdy tent set directly into the wild Norwegian landscape.
It is peaceful, silent, and incredibly beautiful—but it is also a 30-minute hike from the nearest road. You should be someone who genuinely enjoys camping and is prepared for the unpredictability of mountain weather. While you sleep in the tent, you are part of our household; you'll have access to our communal areas in the cabin-in-progress for meals and socializing.
The Food: Healthful & Hearty
While the sleeping arrangements are rugged, the food is quite the opposite. We believe that physical work in the fresh air requires excellent fuel.
Three Healthful Meals a Day: We provide three full, fresh, and healthful meals every day.
Swiss-Japanese Fusion: As a Swiss-Japanese couple, our kitchen is a blend of both worlds. You can expect a unique mix of European mountain fare and traditional Japanese home-cooking.
Hiked-In Ingredients: Every single ingredient we eat is hiked in by us on our backs. This makes us very mindful of what we consume and deeply appreciative of every shared meal.
Shared Dining: We eat our meals together as a household. It’s our favorite time to rest, talk, and connect after a day on the build.
If you appreciate a healthy lifestyle and the simple joy of a great meal shared in a beautiful, remote setting, you will feel right at home here. (And don't worry, even in a tent, the view when you wake up is unbeatable.)
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Photos
