Experience daily life and nature in Ome, Western Tokyo, Japan

Detalles

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  Descripción

  Hello! Thanks for taking the time to read our profile!
  
  We are booked till mid-June now. We will be deciding who to host for latter half of June and July, by the beginning of, or, mid-May.
  
  We may need someone who can do house-sitting for us for the period of late July and August, we are not yet sure about our plan yet.
  
  It may take a while for us to respond at this time.
  
  ----A Few Important Notes Before You Apply--------
  Before reaching out, please read our profile carefully. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to respond to messages that clearly show the sender hasn’t read it.
  
  We only host solo travelers.
  
  We deeply appreciate those who take the time to send us thoughtful messages—we truly enjoy reading them! We genuinely wish we could host everyone, but unfortunately, we can only host one person at a time. This means we often have to send rejection messages to many wonderful people, which is very difficult for us. Please don’t take it personally or feel discouraged if we’re unable to host you.
  
  日本人の方の滞在も歓迎しています！ (We also welcome Japanese travelers!)
  
  When contacting us, please provide ample information about yourself—your personality, values, dreams, aspirations, and what brings you to Japan—so we can get to know you better.
  
  We CANNOT host anyone without travel insurance. Medical care in Japan is NOT free, so please make sure you are covered. Your insurance should also include personal liability coverage.
  
  Please avoid cancellations as much as possible. Last-minute changes can be difficult for both of us.
  
  Our home is strictly non-smoking, including the garden and surrounding areas.
  
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  About Us
  
  We are a married couple, Mitake Naoya and Emi. You can call us "Mitake-san" and "Emi-san."
  
  In 2016, we moved to the westernmost part of Tokyo, closer to the mountains and the Tama River, to enjoy a life closer to nature. While still in Tokyo, our area has a more rural atmosphere, though it’s still accessible to the city center. Both of us commute to work in Tokyo.
  
  Emi works as a school counselor at a middle and high school for girls in central Tokyo (though she prefers not to talk about work at home, as it can be exhausting).
  
  Mitake teaches comparative politics at Komazawa University. He is also a PQ (mental fitness) coach and enjoys offering online coaching sessions for young people.
  
  We both love traveling and have even experienced Workaway ourselves in Cambodia and Uganda.
  
  Our Interests:
  Emi enjoys painting, playing classic piano, and making stained glass. Many Workawayers have joined art lessons she attends and loved them! She’s also a big fan of Murakami Haruki.
  
  Mitake is passionate about tennis (both playing and watching) and is a huge fan of Roger Federer. He also loves Queen, plays simple piano, and practices brush painting.
  
  Both of us have lived in San Diego, USA (1999-2001) when Mitake was a visiting scholar at UCSD. Mitake also spent time in Texas as a high school exchange student from 1981-82 and later lived in Belgium for a year from 1991-1992.
  
  We both love gardening and nature.
  
  We have hosted many travelers from all over the world, including when we lived in the city center. Thanks to our Workawayers who help with house chores and gardening, we’ve been able to focus more on our work. For that, we are deeply grateful!
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  Why We Love Workaway
  
  We believe Workaway is one of the best ways to travel. It gives both hosts and travelers a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange and learning. We love hearing travelers' stories and providing them with a chance to experience real life in Japan—not just as a tourist but as part of a local community.
  
  We especially enjoy hosting travelers who actively explore our area, immerse themselves in the neighborhood, and seek to learn about Japanese culture and daily life.
  
  Since we receive many applications, we want to prioritize those who have a genuine interest in experiencing life in our area and making the most of their stay in Japan.
  
  When you apply, please let us know about yourself very well, including
  -Why you’d like to stay with us
  -How you’d like to spend your free time here
  -Your dreams and aspirations
  
  Looking forward to hearing from you!

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Cocinar para toda la familia

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento general

  Ayuda informática

  Cuidado de casas
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  You can experience a completely different side of Tokyo here. While it's easy to reach the city center (we commute there ourselves), this area is peaceful and surrounded by nature. Exploring the surroundings may give you a new perspective on Tokyo’s cultural diversity.
  
  We enjoy connecting with people from different backgrounds and believe we communicate well across cultures. As educators, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have about Japan—or anything else! We love engaging, thought-provoking conversations and exchanging ideas with our guests.

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  Ayuda

  We typically prioritize Workawayers who can commit to a four-week stay. Occasionally, we may host someone for a shorter period (about a week) if additional help is needed alongside a long-term Workawayer. During the winter months, we generally do not host, as gardening work is minimal and heating costs are high. However, in some cases, we may make exceptions for one or two Workawayers for short stays, depending on our needs.
  
  We prefer hosting Workawayers aged 25 or older, as we find that a certain level of life skills and social aptitude helps ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay. We especially appreciate people who are comfortable managing tasks independently, as much of the work involves working alone and taking initiative. While previous work experience is a plus, we are open to younger applicants who demonstrate responsibility and a strong work ethic. Prior Workaway experience is also a bonus!
  
  We look for Workawayers who are friendly, talkative, and outgoing, as well as environmentally conscious, dedicated, and humble. The ideal candidate is proactive, eager to learn, and capable of managing chores independently. We also value those who are respectful, open-minded, and cooperative in maintaining the quiet and clean environment of our home—someone who embraces different ways of life without being judgmental.
  
  *Type of Help Needed
  Our primary needs are household chores and gardening, which allow us to focus on our work and daily life. If you’re good at cleaning and tidying, we’d love to hear from you—because, to be honest, we are not! Please include specific details about your experience with cleaning, organizing, and gardening in your application.
  
  *Household Chores
  Daily housechores includes:
  -Dusting, vacuuming, and mopping floors
  -Cleaning toilets, bathrooms, and windows
  -Grocery shopping
  -Possibly cooking
  -Other household-related tasks, including occasional minor repairs or maintenance
  
  We do not have pets, children, or elderly family members living in the house.
  
  *Gardening
  Tasks may include:
  -Weeding
  -Harvesting from our small vegetable garden
  -Insect control
  -Plowing and relocating plants
  -Small-scale landscaping
  
  Please be prepared to handle these tasks independently—including dealing with insects, especially in summer. If you have relevant experience, we’d love to hear about it!
  
  *Cooking Skills Are a Big Plus!
  We welcome Workawayers who love to cook! While it’s not just about cooking for us, we’ve noticed that those who are skilled in the kitchen often have great communication skills, which makes for a more enjoyable and engaging stay. Also—being completely honest—they tend to be more mindful of food expenses. If you have cooking experience, please share details in your application.
  
  *Preparing for the Next Workawayer
  Before leaving, we ask Workawayers to help provide clear instructions for the next guest regarding house tasks and responsibilities. This ensures a smooth transition and helps maintain a comfortable home environment for everyone.
  
  *Help Schedule
  The typical help schedule is approximately:
  -Around 4 hours in the morning
  -1 hour in the evening
  
  On help days, you should be ready to start by 7 or 8 AM, though sometimes we may start earlier. In summer, there may be days when we begin as early as 5 AM (as we did during the scorching summer of 2023!).
  
  We want you to fully enjoy your stay, and we promise that you will never be asked to help for more than 5 hours per day. Your free time is yours to explore, relax, and make the most of your experience here!

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  Idiomas hablados

  Inglés: Fluido
  Japonés: Fluido
  Francés: Principiante

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  Alojamiento

  *Location & Atmosphere
  We are located in the western part of Ome City, within the Tokyo Metropolis. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach our place from central Tokyo areas like Shinjuku or Shibuya. The nearest JR train station is about a 6-minute walk away.
  
  Please note that our home is in a very quiet area, and you will likely spend a significant amount of time on your own during your stay.
  
  *Room Arrangements
  Your room arrangement may vary depending on the situation. We have both traditional Japanese rooms and Western-style rooms. While you may sometimes have your own room, we cannot guarantee it, as guests from other venues have priority.
  
  When we have no other guests, you can have a Japanese-style room to yourself.
  
  When other guests or helpers are present, you may need to share space or sleep in a different room from the one initially assigned.
  
  Japanese rooms are not as private as Western ones, as they are separated by paper sliding doors (shoji).
  Toilets and bathrooms are shared.
  
  Other guests may be present during your stay, including some of my current or former students from the university.
  
  Additionally, if we need to use the space or other guests arrive, you may need to temporarily vacate your sleeping area during the daytime.
  
  *Meals & Cooking
  We provide reasonably priced, non-cooked food items, ingredients, or a budget for groceries for all your meals, including lunch. This does not include ready-to-eat meals, expensive meat or fish, fancy desserts, alcohol, or other luxury items.
  
  Fruits and nuts can be quite expensive in Japan—please check with us first before purchasing them.
  
  We would appreciate it if you could consume white rice as much as possible, as it is a staple food in Japan. Not only is it the most economical option, but it also offers an opportunity to experience an essential part of Japanese food culture.
  
  We are usually unable to cook for you, but you are welcome to use our kitchen to prepare your own meals. You can also do grocery shopping using our bicycle.
  
  While we don’t eat together all the time, we truly enjoy sharing meals whenever our schedules allow. Some of our most memorable moments with Workawayers have been cooking and dining together! We love it when Workawayers prepare dishes from their home countries, though of course, this is completely optional.
  
  *House Rules & Considerations
  Our home is strictly non-smoking, including the garden and surrounding area.
  
  Japanese homes have thin walls, and ours is no exception. Please keep noise to a minimum, especially at night. No loud music, no dancing while we are at home!
  
  The JR Ome Line railroad tracks run right in front of our house. The train service is infrequent, and the trains are short, so most people do not find the noise or vibration bothersome. However, if you are extremely sensitive to sound, please consult us beforehand.
  
  Do NOT enter the railroad tracks under any circumstances.

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  Algo más...

  You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the nearby upper Tama River, such as riverboarding, rafting, and canoeing—though some of these can be a bit pricey. If you prefer something more relaxed, you can go walking, cycling, or hiking in the mountains.
  
  There are also several shrines and temples to explore, including the beautiful but less touristy Mitake Shrine. Lake Okutama is just a 30-minute train ride away, offering stunning nature and peaceful surroundings. And of course, if you ever miss the crowds and the vibrant energy of the city, you can always take a trip to central Tokyo.
  
  You can also take short trips to nearby destinations like Kawaguchiko for breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura, or even downtown Tokyo for a taste of nightlife—perhaps by staying overnight on your days off.
  
  We can’t guarantee it, but if our schedule allows, we’d love to take you around and show you some of our favorite spots!

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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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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Uno

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