Badges (4)
Give the gift of Workaway
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Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
At home
My next destination:
France - from Jul 2025 until Oct 2025 View all
Description
My name is Masahiko Kawaraguchi, and I live with my wife and our dog in Fukuoka City, Japan. I am a pensioner and a house husband, which gives me plenty of free time. After graduating from university, I spent 42 years as a high school English teacher, retiring five years ago. However, the COVID-19 pandemic restricted travel, both domestically and internationally. To keep myself engaged, I took on various odd jobs at a spa, fish market, and bakery, proving that I can still contribute meaningfully to society.
I have always remained active—though I am an ordinary Japanese man and certainly not a macho type, my smart scale tells me my health age is 55, and I feel as fit as ever! My cheerful and adaptable nature helped me navigate the lively world of Japanese high school students, and I bring the same positive attitude to new experiences. While I may not be able to give professional lectures on Japanese traditional culture or perform a special dance, I can offer a genuine perspective on modern Japanese life.
For the past few years, I have participated in volunteer programs in the UK, France, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, embracing opportunities to work with different communities. Currently, I work full-time at a shukubo (temple lodging) in Koyasan, Wakayama Prefecture, assisting inbound foreign guests. Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its deep spiritual history and breathtaking temple complex. The role keeps me physically and mentally engaged, and I have no issues handling tasks that require movement. You can count on me for at least three months—I have no plans to fall ill or pass away anytime soon!
Now, I am planning to visit Europe, looking forward to new challenges and meaningful opportunities to contribute. Thank you for your time!
Interests
Beach
Outdoor activities
Nature
Culture
Cycling
Events & social
Hiking
Self development
Sustainability
Languages
Fitness
Charity work
Cooking & food
Animals
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Art Projects
Some knowledge of:
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Being an elderly companion
Charity Work
Teaching
More details about your skills
Getting along well with all sorts of people.
Certified High School English teacher.
Comfortable with utilising Information Communication Technology.
Experienced motorcycle rider.
Dog lover.
Age
70
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
No.Special dietary requirements
No.
Feedback
2 Jan 2024
Left by host (Help in everyday life in a ...) for Workawayer ()
When you see a Japanese gentleman in your mind, be sure you have an image of Masahiko in your mind.
He is a great ambassador of Japanese culture, educated, polite and at the same time very curious.
He is committed to every job. The collaboration with the much younger colleagues also worked excellently.
It was a pleasure to have him here in our… read more
He is a great ambassador of Japanese culture, educated, polite and at the same time very curious.
He is committed to every job. The collaboration with the much younger colleagues also worked excellently.
It was a pleasure to have him here in our… read more
(Excellent
)
11 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Help in everyday life in a ...)
One of the reasons why I do Workaway is to stimulate myself by getting out of my comfort zone in order to rejuvenate myself.
About the stimulation, I’m so glad to have plenty through this Workaway.
Living in a real castle is a unique experience you can’t usually expect. You can feel an atmosphere that makes you think as if you were in the Medieval… read more
About the stimulation, I’m so glad to have plenty through this Workaway.
Living in a real castle is a unique experience you can’t usually expect. You can feel an atmosphere that makes you think as if you were in the Medieval… read more
(Excellent
)
7 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Come for a dog-sitting and ...)
I stayed with Kitti, Remus, Michell, and Corgis for three weeks, an attractive, stimulating, and fantastic moment of my boring retired life. They are a very close family bonded by partnership and love. Sometimes so close that I saw some conflicts among them, which reminded me of my family 30 years ago. I know it was a difficult time, but I miss… read more
(Excellent
)
29 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Gardening and outdoor help ...)
I stayed with Frances and Dima for two weeks, and being with them has given me a lot of experiences, stimulation, and perspectives. On our first meeting at the Prague station, they treated me like an old friend. I felt pretty at home, like staying at my relatives’ house. They took excellent care of me, serving every meal and taking me to beautiful… read more
(Excellent
)
24 Nov 2023
Left by host (Gardening and outdoor help ...) for Workawayer ()
Masahiko was a great addition to our household, we enjoyed his company very much and would have been happy to have him stay much longer! He wrote in his profile that he would show us ‘‘JAPANESE DILIGENCE’ - and he did just that, working hard in the garden, digging over the vegetable plot and raking the leaves in the orchard in preparation for… read more
(Excellent
)
Friends
Feedback
2 Jan 2024
Left by host (Help in everyday life in a ...) for Workawayer ()
When you see a Japanese gentleman in your mind, be sure you have an image of Masahiko in your mind.
He is a great ambassador of Japanese culture, educated, polite and at the same time very curious.
He is committed to every job. The collaboration with the much younger colleagues also worked excellently.
It was a pleasure to have him here in our… read more
He is a great ambassador of Japanese culture, educated, polite and at the same time very curious.
He is committed to every job. The collaboration with the much younger colleagues also worked excellently.
It was a pleasure to have him here in our… read more
(Excellent)
11 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Help in everyday life in a ...)
One of the reasons why I do Workaway is to stimulate myself by getting out of my comfort zone in order to rejuvenate myself.
About the stimulation, I’m so glad to have plenty through this Workaway.
Living in a real castle is a unique experience you can’t usually expect. You can feel an atmosphere that makes you think as if you were in the Medieval… read more
About the stimulation, I’m so glad to have plenty through this Workaway.
Living in a real castle is a unique experience you can’t usually expect. You can feel an atmosphere that makes you think as if you were in the Medieval… read more
(Excellent)
7 Dec 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Come for a dog-sitting and ...)
I stayed with Kitti, Remus, Michell, and Corgis for three weeks, an attractive, stimulating, and fantastic moment of my boring retired life. They are a very close family bonded by partnership and love. Sometimes so close that I saw some conflicts among them, which reminded me of my family 30 years ago. I know it was a difficult time, but I miss… read more
(Excellent)
29 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Gardening and outdoor help ...)
I stayed with Frances and Dima for two weeks, and being with them has given me a lot of experiences, stimulation, and perspectives. On our first meeting at the Prague station, they treated me like an old friend. I felt pretty at home, like staying at my relatives’ house. They took excellent care of me, serving every meal and taking me to beautiful… read more
(Excellent)
24 Nov 2023
Left by host (Gardening and outdoor help ...) for Workawayer ()
Masahiko was a great addition to our household, we enjoyed his company very much and would have been happy to have him stay much longer! He wrote in his profile that he would show us ‘‘JAPANESE DILIGENCE’ - and he did just that, working hard in the garden, digging over the vegetable plot and raking the leaves in the orchard in preparation for… read more
(Excellent)
4 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Housesitting caring for my ...)
I stayed at Anette’s flat for two weeks. All the while, she showed me a tremendous amount of consideration and hospitality. She took me to several exciting and historical places. My task was basically to take care of Ella, a very gentle and obedient German Shepherd mix. As a dog person, I enjoyed the time with her, and walking with her was a… read more
(Excellent)
4 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Join us at a renaissance ...)
I stayed at the castle for two weeks, and that was a fantastic time for me. Quite different from Japanese wooden houses, the room they allocated me was in a beautiful castle, and I stayed pretty comfortably and enjoyed the atmosphere. The people there were all amicable, and they were a highly organized team. They have been restoring this castle as… read more
(Excellent)
18 Aug 2023
Left by host (Stay in one of the heritage ...) for Workawayer ()
Masahiko san was a fantastic guy who helping in our hostel, always working hard, very easily understood everything that needed to be done . A pleasure to have stay with us and easy to please. Good with people and the colleagues .
he have excellent communication skills will definitely be a valuable attention to any organization.they have a great… read more
he have excellent communication skills will definitely be a valuable attention to any organization.they have a great… read more
(Excellent)
6 Jul 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Stay in one of the heritage ...)
I stayed at Howard’s place for two weeks and had fantastic experiences. I enjoyed the historic and beautiful town of Malacca. There are many places to visit, and you can learn many things. The Workaway chores are simple, easy, and fun. I mainly “worked” at the reception desk, greeting guests and being friendly. As a matter of fact, although… read more
(Excellent)
22 Jun 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Help in my garden and around ...)
It was such a wonderful experience!
Staying at Joe’s residence was a fantastic experience for me. Ipo is, compared to Kuala Lumpur, a quiet city. Although it is a city, it has a local Malaysian atmosphere simultaneously. My chore was mainly watering the plants and weeding. I didn’t do much. I just relaxed at Joe’s house and did some sightseeing.… read more
Staying at Joe’s residence was a fantastic experience for me. Ipo is, compared to Kuala Lumpur, a quiet city. Although it is a city, it has a local Malaysian atmosphere simultaneously. My chore was mainly watering the plants and weeding. I didn’t do much. I just relaxed at Joe’s house and did some sightseeing.… read more
(Excellent)
2 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Learn, grow and nourish your ...)
Pi nan and Noriko are lovely hosts. Through them, I learned a lot of things. The stay at their place was like a summer camp; I enjoyed nature in Thailand and met a lot of exciting workawayers. The task there was only weeding and fertilizing their field. I stayed there for only three days, so I wish I could have stayed there longer to learn about… read more
(Excellent)
2 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Stay at our home near the ...)
I stayed with this beautiful couple for only a week but had a wonderful experience. Daniel and Ora are fantastic hosts. They took care of me well and fed me a variety of Thai cuisine. Because I was there for only a short while, I couldn't help them enough, which I regret. The task was simple household chores like cleaning their house and garden.… read more
(Excellent)
24 Dec 2022
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Welcoming dog lovers at ...)
First, thank you very much, Natsuko, for the privilege for the aged person you bestowed on me. I now know receiving workawayers for less than a week is just a burden to you. I was there for only four days; it was just the first step of dog care lessons, but I learned a lot of things about dogs from you and your dogs. The experience has… read more
(Excellent)
22 Oct 2015
Left by host (Volunteer at a vocational ...) for Workawayer ()
I am a bit late but thanks a lot Massa to have spent time with us here in the middle of nowhere!
thanks for the exchanges with our students and with us...it's very important to get to know peolpe from different cultures!
come back anytime!
michel
thanks for the exchanges with our students and with us...it's very important to get to know peolpe from different cultures!
come back anytime!
michel
(Excellent)
13 Jul 2015
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Volunteer at a vocational ...)
As a semi-retired teacher, this Workaway in Tulle was a very interesting one. Here I learned a lot about France; its culture, heritage, and wonderful people.
The staff at school were kind and helpful. The students were very friendly. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the center. I also appreciate the friendship the other Workawayers showed me.… read more
The staff at school were kind and helpful. The students were very friendly. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the center. I also appreciate the friendship the other Workawayers showed me.… read more
(Excellent)
21 Jul 2015
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Come and join our eco-park ...)
I spent a wonderful time in this facility.
People there accepted and treated me as one of their family.
The environment was full of nature and quiet.
The animals --horses, goats, dogs and cats --were friendly.
The children in the summer camp were cute and playing with them was fun.
As for food, I enjoyed Bulgarian meals very much.
Thank you… read more
People there accepted and treated me as one of their family.
The environment was full of nature and quiet.
The animals --horses, goats, dogs and cats --were friendly.
The children in the summer camp were cute and playing with them was fun.
As for food, I enjoyed Bulgarian meals very much.
Thank you… read more
(Excellent)
6 May 2015
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Help with donkeys in ancient, ...)
This was a really wonderful experience for me. I was able to catch a glimpse of the lovely life I had never thought of before. Though it was only a week, Bart and Sue and donkeys treated me like a family member from the moment we met for the first time. Through their kind help, I learned precious aspects of life.
(Excellent)
6 May 2015
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Help us at our Outdoor ...)
I really appreciate Phil and Becka's hospitality and consideration. Though I may not have been of much help to them, I felt a sense of achievement through the work this Workaway gave me. It was my great pleasure to be able to help restore the outdoor education centre, something very valuable for the next generation.
(Excellent)
4 May 2015
Left by host for Workawayer ()
Masahiko was a great addition to our team of volunteers - he was a consistently hard worker, willing to undertake any task, to a high standard, a pleasure to meet and know. We are very grateful for his contribution towards the reopening of our outdoor education centre and wish him well with his ongoing travels throughout the UK, France and Spain.… read more
(Excellent)
