Help restore a 200-year-old farmhouse and start a small farm in rural Nagano, Japan

Detalles

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  Descripción

  Hi, I’m originally from Tokyo. After many years in the city, I’m starting a new chapter — slower, more grounded, and closer to nature.
  
  I’m now based around Nakagawa Village in Nagano Prefecture, a small rural community that’s officially recognised as one of Japan’s “Most Beautiful Villages”.
  
  My main project is to restore a 200-year-old kominka (a traditional Japanese farmhouse) and, in time, turn it into a farmhouse retreat that brings together hospitality and small-scale farming. The aim is to offer an authentic rural experience — seasonal food, time on the land, and a calm place to reset — while respecting local traditions and ways of life.
  
  Alongside the renovation and farming, I’m also building the project as a small, sustainable business that supports the village. Part of that is marketing and storytelling — creating photos, videos, and simple content with the help of Workawayers and local neighbours, to share what makes this place special and attract the right kind of visitors in a respectful way.
  
  It’s still early days, but my hope is to create a welcoming hub where people can experience everyday rural Japan, connect with the community, and be part of a wider effort to revitalise a village that, like many others, is gradually shrinking due to depopulation.

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Ayuda en una granja

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento general
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  Intereses

  

  Sostenibilidad

  

  Vegetariano o vegano

  

  LGBT+

  

  Agricultura

  

  Jardinería

  

  Arquitectura

  

  Cocina y alimentación

  

  Yoga / bienestar

  

  Montaña

  

  Naturaleza
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  This is a great chance to get a real feel for:
  ・Everyday rural life in Japan (the pace, the seasons, and local customs)
  ・Japanese culture and history — especially traditional architecture through the kominka restoration
  ・Hands-on farming, seasonal growing, and simple plant-based meals using local produce
  ・What it’s actually like to find, manage, and renovate an akiya (vacant house) in Japan
  ・Teamwork, planning, and building a project from the ground up
  ・A practical look at small-business thinking — including marketing, storytelling, and community-based tourism
  ・Practical Japanese language tips, local etiquette, and day-to-day life in Japan — from a Tokyo local’s perspective
  
  If you’re considering living or working in Japan longer-term, I’m happy to share what I’ve learned and point you in the right direction.

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  El anfitrión ofrece una paga acorde al salario mínimo

  Este anfitrión ofrece alojamiento y paga.

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  Ayuda

  In the early stages of the project (it’s right at the beginning), the work will be varied and quite hands-on.
  
  Farmers — or aspiring farmers — are especially welcome, as there are several plots of farmland on site. If you’re keen to get involved with farming in Japan, this could be a brilliant chance to learn, practise, and really connect with the land 😊
  If you have any knowledge or hands-on experience with natural farming methods, that would be especially welcome.
  
  Typical tasks may include:
  ・Helping with farming, gardening, and basic landscape work (experience is great, but a proactive, learn-by-doing attitude matters just as much)
  ・DIY and building projects around the property (you may sometimes work alongside local architects/builders — a genuine interest in traditional Japanese architecture and history is a big plus)
  ・Building raised garden beds and experimenting with natural farming methods (very welcome!)
  ・Building a simple wooden fence
  ・Light carpentry, minor repairs, and general hands-on help around the house and land
  
  From time to time, I may also ask for help with other general tasks, depending on the season and what needs doing.
  
  We’re looking for someone who (must-have):
  
  ・Already has a valid residence status for Japan that allows you to stay here without issues (e.g. work-permitted visa, working holiday, spouse, permanent resident, etc.)
  ・Is not simply travelling in Japan looking for a free place to stay
  ・Is calm, reliable, and able to live independently (good communication, time management, and cleanliness)
  
  A great fit if you (nice-to-have):
  
  ・Have prior work experience and/or long-term independent living experience
  ・Prefer a quiet lifestyle — this is not a party-type stay
  ・Value meaningful connections and are open to building a long-term relationship
  ・Are genuinely interested in living and working in Japan in this field
  
  If we’re a strong match, we may be able to discuss future opportunities — and potentially visa-related options as part of a formal role — subject to legal requirements and business needs.
  
  Pay & schedule
  
  ・Hourly rate: ¥1,000 (happy to offer a bit more for exceptional experience or specialised skills)
  ・Hours: Usually 4–5 hours a day, around 4 days a week (this can vary a bit depending on the season and what needs doing — we can discuss more or fewer hours).

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Inglés: Fluido
  Japonés: Fluido

  Este anfitrión ofrece intercambio de idiomas
  Este anfitrión ha indicado que está interesado en compartir su idioma o aprender otro.
  Ponte en contacto con él para obtener más información.
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  Alojamiento

  You’ll be staying in the kominka itself — a traditional Japanese farmhouse that’s well cared for and full of character and history. You’ll have your own private room. As the project is still in its early stages, some areas may be a bit rough around the edges or under renovation from time to time (which is also why we’ll really appreciate your help).
  
  Facilities (current setup):
  ・A temporary kitchen (I’m planning to install a new kitchen area)
  ・One proper bathroom, shared with up to two others (I’m also hoping to add a second bathroom in the future)
  
  Meals: Basic plant-based ingredients will be provided, and you’re welcome to cook for yourself. We can also cook together now and then if you’d like. If you need dairy, feel free to bring your own. That said, as I’m vegan and live a plant-based lifestyle, I kindly ask that no meat or fish be cooked on the premises.
  
  House Rules:
  We’re a non-smoking household. Cleanliness and tidiness are really appreciated — especially as we’ll be sharing the space while the project is still taking shape.

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  Algo más...

  During your time off, you’ll have the chance to explore a beautiful part of rural Japan. Nakagawa Village itself is calm, peaceful, and inspiring — ideal for creativity, reflection, and reconnecting with nature.
  
  Nearby highlights include:
  
  ・The Ina Valley and Southern Shinshu (Nagano) — wide-open countryside, small towns, farm landscapes, and brilliant views of the Central / Southern Alps
  
  ・The scenic Kiso Valley, including stretches of the old Nakasendō trail and the historic post town of Narai-juku
  
  ・Local onsen (hot springs), forest walks, and mountain hikes
  
  ・Peaceful rivers, traditional temples and shrines, and classic countryside scenery
  
  Getting around / transport:
  Public transport is limited here, so having access to a car is by far the easiest way to explore. For groceries and basic errands, we’ll usually go together by car. If you’d like to take day trips on your days off, we can sometimes give you a lift to a nearby station or drop you off at a convenient point (the nearest JR station is about a 35-minute walk). If needed, we can also consider providing an e-bike, depending on availability. For someone who becomes involved longer-term in the project, we may also be able to discuss arranging a car via leasing in the future, depending on the situation.
  
  Important:
  Please read the full description before applying.
  To make sure we’re on the same page, please start your message with “I read everything.”

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Puede acoger a nómadas digitales

  Este anfitrión ha indicado que le encanta acoger a nómadas digitales.

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  Este anfitrión puede proporcionar un sitio para autocaravanas.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Uno

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  Mis animales / mascotas

  

  Charlie

  5 year old tibetan terrier
  

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