Shinji

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hello, my name is Shinji, and I am from Japan.
I am taking a sabbatical year and traveling Europe, hoping to meet people, offer my help, and experience cultural exchange through living and working together.

I studied software and mechanical engineering and worked for about eight years in automotive research and development at Hitachi. Later, after experiencing a major earthquake and nuclear accident in Japan, my values shifted toward living more sustainably and closer to nature.
I moved to a rural mountainous area near the Japanese Alps, where I built a small house myself, practiced natural farming, and ran a small traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) called Tanekura Inn for five years. There, I welcomed many international guests and Workawayers, and we shared meaningful experiences through daily life, work, and cultural exchange.

At Tanekura Inn, I handled a wide range of tasks, including cleaning, cooking, administration, gardening, maintenance, photography, and overall management. I enjoy supporting others and believe I can be helpful in many different situations.
I also make handmade soba noodles and I am traveling with my soba-making tools during this journey. I would be happy to share freshly made soba, cook together, learn local food in your region, and exchange cultures and ways of life.

For five years, I have been a Workaway host myself.
I believe this experience helps me understand both sides of the Workaway exchange.
For reference, my host profile is available here:
https://www.workaway.info/en/host/858145572187

I am looking forward to sharing life, work, and learning together in a warm and respectful way :)

Interests

Water sports

Movies & TV

DIY & crafts

Books

Music

Photography

Cooking & food

Blogging

Writing

Nature

Camping

Mountain

Hiking

Cycling

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent
French: Beginner

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 partner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

Light gardening

Creative DIY projects

Light maintenance

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Animal Care

Hospitality/Tourism

Teaching

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Able to teach about:  

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Languages

Helping with Computers/ Internet

More details about your skills

🏡 Hospitality & Daily Life
Experienced in hosting guests and Workawayers at a Japanese inn, with a good sense of hospitality and attention to small details.
Comfortable supporting daily household tasks and creating a welcoming, respectful atmosphere for shared living.

🍳 Cooking
Experienced in cooking for guests at a Japanese inn.
Able to prepare simple, well-balanced meals efficiently using available ingredients.
Skilled in handmade soba noodle making; I am traveling with my soba-making tools and enjoy sharing soba as a cultural exchange.

🔨 DIY, Building & Maintenance
Built a small house and an additional hut by myself (self-build).
Experienced in basic design, woodworking, simple construction, plastering, and general DIY.
Able to make simple furniture and handle repairs and maintenance tasks.

🌱 Gardening & Land Care
Managed and maintained the land around an inn for five years.
Experienced in gardening, vegetable growing, weeding, and pruning, working efficiently and steadily.

📸 Photography & Communication
Enjoy photography and writing.
Experienced in managing social media and basic online content for a small business.

🛠 Engineering & Technical Skills
Background as an engineer (mechanical and software).
Experience with problem-solving, basic programming, computer operation, and technical support.
Familiar with making things, building systems, and thinking logically and practically.

🌍 Languages & Cultural Exchange
Fluent in English.
Native Japanese speaker and happy to help with Japanese language learning.
Lived in Germany (ages 0–5), studied in the USA for six months and in Australia for six months for exchange programs, and worked in France for two years.
Currently interested in improving my French during my stay.

Age

43

What else ...

I enjoy reading, writing, photography, playing the guitar, watching movies, and singing karaoke.
For physical activities, I like walking, hiking, biking, swimming, and playing table tennis, tennis, and badminton.
I enjoy board games such as shogi (Japanese chess) and go, and I am also happy to play cards or other simple board games together.

I find it rewarding to teach or share my knowledge with people who are interested and eager to learn.

I am flexible and open-minded.

I appreciate sharing daily activities and time together with my hosts, while also enjoying quiet time on my own when appropriate.


I am not a picky eater, can enjoy most foods, and I do not have any allergies.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements