Yangyang

China
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Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
I am now in Gumma, Japan!
My next destination:
Japan - from Oct 2025 until Apr 2027
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Description
My name is Yangyang Xu, I’m 28 years old, from Fujian, China🐼
I speak Chinese Mandarin, Hokkien, fluent English, and basic Japanese (around N3). I hold a working visa.

//My Background//

I started working at 17—tutoring, running small businesses, waitressing, and working in retail. By high school, I was already planning events for thousands. I now have 4 years of marketing experience across Fortune 500 companies and startups.
I love food (no restrictions) and enjoy cooking, especially vegetables(My mum is a buddist). I’m into fashion, have tried 7 hair colors, and love thrifting and styling unique looks. I draw, create and sell my own designs, and work with writing and photography. I’ve also given a TEDx talk and am currently documenting my travels.
I’m a feminist who genuinely enjoys caring for children and animals.
I love exploring the world and connecting with people. I have volunteered with autistic children in Vietnam, worked at an orphanage in Kenya, and I donate monthly to support girls’ education in rural China. I’ve also taken on life coaching clients.
If you want to create something fun or meaningful, I’m in.

//My journey in Japan//

2025.10-11 Aomori + Tokyo: Traveling+Studying Japanese✅
2025.11 Ueda, Nagano: Agriculture✅
2025.12-2026.02 Osaka: Housework & dogsitting✅
2026.02-2026.03 Wakayama: Agriculture+Community Building✅
2026.03-2026.04 Izu: Housekeeping in Onsen hotel✅
2026.04-2026.06 Gumma: Babysitting+Gardening(Ongoing）

And countless short-term trips! Like kyoto, tottori, matsumoto, kobe, okayama, sentai, takamatsu...

Btw, I’m very familiar with Japanese culture. I love 太宰治. I’ve read 1000+ Japanese manga, both popular and obscure. My childhood dream was to become an editor at a Japanese manga magazine. I’m interested in history like 新選組 and 明治維新. I also enjoy 原宿系 fashion and Japanese idols like AKB48 and Snowman. My favorite photographers are 川島小鳥 and 蜷川実花, and my favorite artist is 草間弥生. My favorite singer is 倉橋ヨエコ. I’ve been to a 戸川純 concert. I really like the screenwriter 坂元裕二, and my favorite actress is 山口智子.
Interests
Drawing & painting
Writing
Plant care
Animals
Fashion or beauty
Videography
Technology
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Self development
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
LGBTQ
Photography
Performing arts
Cooking & food
Languages
Music
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Fitness
Mountain
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Nature
Cycling
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Taiwanese Hokkien (Taigi): Fluent
Chinese (Mandarin): Fluent
Japanese: Intermediate
More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Charity Work
Teaching
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Some knowledge of:
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Hospitality/Tourism
Helping around the house
House & pet sitting
Animal Care
Able to teach about:
Languages
Art Projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
More details about your skills
【Art & photography】 I enjoy drawing and street photography. I can edit videos. I have also organized campus art exhibitions with friends. View my portfolio👇https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pP6KAxTtMTST5I4c5dfzojSmzCwC4zGi/view

【Childcare】I have cared for children since middle school, as my younger sister and brother were born when I was 15 and 17. So that I took care of kids from an early age.

【Pet sitting】I had a 2-month Workaway in Osaka, walking three dogs about 6 km daily, and helping with bathing and grooming.

【Housework & cooking】 I’m clean, organized, and good at cooking Chinese food. I love eating and cooking for friends, and I have almost no food restrictions.

【Marketing】That's my job :) I worked as a Marketing specialist at technical industry for 4 years, including digital and offline campaigns. I love creating activities that bring people together.

【Language exchange】I have experiences tutoring children in English, and I’m currently studying Japanese. I’m happy to do language exchange.

【Well-being & self-growth】I care deeply about mental and physical health. I have mild ADHD and have studied a lot about mental well-being. I practice yoga, swimming, and reflective writing, and I’m happy to share and learn together.
Age
28
What else ...
I’m very eager to work in projects that connect me with local communities in Japan.

I have mild ADHD, so when I receive work instructions, I need you to clearly explain "why should we do like this". After understanding the logic, I can perform the task very well.

I’m confident that the value I can bring is limitless, and I’d be happy to contribute in any way I can. Feel free to reach out!
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Raspberry and dust mites
- Special dietary requirements

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21 Apr 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Experience slow living and ...)

I stayed in a rural village in Wakayama for one and a half months, until the Satoyama Festival on March 15. The experience left a deep impression on me.

On my first night, Preethi, a staff member at Kimino Machi from India, carefully introduced the house rules. Dinner was ehomaki sushi rolls, prepared in both vegan and non-vegan versions. Shota… read more had just hunted a deer and shared fresh deer heart sashimi with us, talking about how hunting had made him appreciate food more and feel grateful to nature. The next day was Giorgio’s birthday, an Italian volunteer. Yuho brought out a cake she had prepared, Ai-chan climbed excitedly onto him, and everyone burst into laughter. Another volunteer from the U.S., Nana, and I bonded over dark political jokes—it didn’t take long to imagine what life here would be like.

In many ways, Shota and Yuho, a young couple, have built what feels like an ideal “community”—diverse and inclusive, tucked away in the mountains of Japan. Shota shared his vision: starting from satoyama living, to bring people back to nature, to build a more sustainable way of life, and to create positive change in the world. Although neither he nor Yuho speaks fluent English, they have gone beyond language barriers, opening the home they built with their own hands to people from all over the world.

March 15 marked the third anniversary of the community, so most of our work focused on preparing for the festival—repairing roads, clearing weeds, chopping wood, and taking care of the five chickens. The week before the event was the busiest. Volunteers from different countries worked in pairs and took turns cooking for everyone. Israeli dishes, Chinese home cooking, Indian naan, classic pasta—people generously shared recipes and flavors from their cultures. I even learned how to bake bread. Beyond the festival, the place also hosts a weekly potluck, where cultural exchange happens naturally through food.

In a casual conversation, I asked Josee, a volunteer from Canada, why she travels. She shrugged, a little low in mood but certain: “I need a change.”

And the change came. Before this trip, I had rarely thought about “identity.” Somehow, it took root in a remote village that requires several bus transfers to reach, quietly unfolding through the hands of a young couple.

Perhaps it was Shota and Yuho’s influence—turning belief into reality through small but consistent actions. Shota built an outdoor kitchen in just two weeks, at a speed that left Anki, a volunteer from Hong Kong, amazed—though she, too, created a woven vine arch in an empty field within the same time. As for me, after getting tired from weeding, I would sit on the ground, watching clouds drift across the mountains, imagining the past and future of this land—

the future is already in motion.

(Excellent )

6 Apr 2026

Left by host (Experience slow living and ...) for Workawayer ()

Yangyang was originally planning to stay for three weeks, but she ended up staying with us for about a month and a half.

Since her Japanese is very good, we were able to communicate mostly in Japanese. She is always very dedicated to improving her language skills and studies hard every day.

She is also very talented at drawing. She created a map… read more

(Excellent )

3 Mar 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Dog sitting and enjoy the ...)

I stayed at Mika and Moku’s home for two months, from December 3rd to February 3rd. Such a fulfilling time!

A typical day looked like this: I would wake up before 7 a.m. and do cleaning with Mika, which usually took about 1–1.5 hours. Saturdays were for the weekly deep clean, so we spent more time on that. When there were other Workawayers, we… read more took turns walking the dogs. On sunny days, I liked to ride the bicycle; when the weather wasn’t so good, I walked instead. The dog walk usually lasted about 2 hours. I loved watching the three girls—Hanabi, Hotaru, and Matsuri—play on the grass. The view of the Yodogawa River was so peaceful and beautiful.

After returning home, we would bathe the dogs and dry their fur. Even though I have asthma and am very sensitive to pet hair, the dogs were so clean that I never once felt uncomfortable. It was amazing. Btw, Hanabi often sleeps with me. My lovely Hanabi. 😊

In the evenings, we prepared dinner together. Mika cooked a lot of dishes—always abundant and incredibly delicious!!! Her cooking could be called “borderless cuisine.” She has traveled to many places, and at her home I got to eat Chinese Suancai fish, Vietnamese spring rolls, and Mexican tacos. There were even Chinese zongzi — oh my god, I felt especially happy when I got to eat that. I was full every day. 🤤
Moku is also a great cook. When he had time, he made breakfast and often brought us snacks. One time I didn’t have time to eat breakfast, and Moku was like a dad: “Yangyang, eat this before you go! Eat first!”

My birthday is on Christmas Eve. Mika made me a strawberry cake, and the strawberries were bought by Charlie, who was working with me at the time. Honestly, the other Workawayers I met were all such kind people. We created so many happy memories together. 🥰

The location is very convenient. You can easily travel to Kyoto, Kobe, and other areas in Kansai. When they had time, they also took me out. We went to Himeji, Nishinomiya, and Nara together, and also to karaoke and hot springs. I met Mika’s friends and family too. They’re all very nice people. Naho-chan I missed you!

If you’re thinking of applying for this position, I’d like to say this: please be RESPONSIBLE in your work, RESPECT others, and learn to be GRATEFUL. If you have many dietary restrictions, it might be a pity, because Mika’s well-balanced and diverse cooking may not suit you.

When you give sincerity, you receive sincerity. The only way to make expectations come true is through ACTION.
Because of that, I experienced many unexpected surprises and had a truly satisfying and meaningful time.

(Excellent )

7 Feb 2026

Left by host (Dog sitting and enjoy the ...) for Workawayer ()

At first, it took her a little time to learn the work procedures, but she got used to them within about two weeks. It seemed like she was afraid of the dogs in the beginning, but she bonded well with even the most temperamental one, Hotaru, to the point where Hotaru would sleep on her lap.
She actively took on various tasks and often helped out in… read more

(Excellent )

7 Dec 2025

Left by host (Experience life on our ...) for Workawayer ()

She is a very energetic girl. Although she had no experience in farming, her illustration and cooking skills were amazing. It's true that #redacted# However, we didn't give up and taught her things and gave her some nagging advice. As a result, I think she was able to get through the two weeks without any problems.

(Excellent )

5 Dec 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Experience life on our ...)

I stayed at Mori-san and Makiko-san’s house from Nov 15 to Dec 1🥺my first Workaway, and truly the best decision I made this year.

Mori-san is the fairest employer I’ve ever met: we worked three hours a day, tasks matched each person’s ability, and everything was clearly explained. Even the furniture had labels, which helped a lot. I have ADHD… read more

(Excellent )

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21 Apr 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Experience slow living and ...)

(Excellent)

6 Apr 2026

Left by host (Experience slow living and ...) for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

3 Mar 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Dog sitting and enjoy the ...)

(Excellent)

7 Feb 2026

Left by host (Dog sitting and enjoy the ...) for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

7 Dec 2025

Left by host (Experience life on our ...) for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

5 Dec 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Experience life on our ...)

(Excellent)

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