Help restore a traditional Japanese farmhouse and build a small farm in rural Nagano, Japan

Infos

• 

  Description

  Hello, I’m originally from Tokyo. After spending many years building my career in the corporate world in Tokyo, I’m now beginning a new chapter — one that is slower, more grounded, and closer to nature.
  
  My main project is the restoration of a traditional Edo-period kominka (Japanese farmhouse) in a rural part of southern Nagano Prefecture, in a village officially recognised as one of Japan’s “Most Beautiful Villages”.
  
  Over time, I hope to turn it into a small farmhouse retreat that brings together hospitality, cultural exchange, and small-scale farming. My aim is to create a calm and welcoming place where people can enjoy seasonal food, connect with nature, and experience the rhythms of everyday rural life in Japan.
  
  I also plan to grow vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers on the land around the house, and to share the beauty of the seasons through these simple, grounded activities.
  
  In the longer term, I hope this project will grow into a sustainable business that contributes positively to the village and surrounding area — supporting the local economy, creating meaningful connections, and engaging with some of the challenges rural communities face today, such as depopulation and ageing.
  
  Although the project is still in its early stages, I hope it will become more than just a place to stay. I want it to be a warm, thoughtful space where people can experience the beauty of rural Japan, connect with the local community, and take part in something meaningful.
  
  For me, this project is not simply about restoring an old house. It is about preserving a way of life, caring for local culture and traditions, and building something lasting for the future.

• 

  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Aide dans une ferme

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
• 

  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  LGBT+

  

  Ferme

  

  Jardinage

  

  Architecture

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Montagne

  

  Nature
• 

  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  ◼️ This is a great chance to experience and learn more about:
  
  • Everyday rural life in Japan — the pace, the seasons, and local customs
  • Japanese culture and history, especially traditional architecture through the restoration of a kominka
  • Hands-on farming, seasonal growing, and simple plant-based meals using local produce
  • What it is really like to find, manage, and gradually renovate an akiya (vacant house) in Japan
  • Teamwork, planning, and helping to build a project from the ground up
  • The practical side of small business, including marketing and community-based tourism
  • Useful Japanese language tips, local etiquette, and everyday life in Japan, from a Tokyo local’s perspective
  
  If you are thinking about living or working in Japan longer term, I’d be very happy to share what I’ve learned and help point you in the right direction.

• 

  L’hôte offre un salaire correspondant au salaire minimum

  Cet hôte offre l'hébergement et une rémunération.

• 

  Aide

  As the project is still in its early stages, the work is quite varied and hands-on. I’m also still figuring out the best way to develop things over time, so I’d especially value someone who is proactive, practical, and happy to take initiative when needed.
  
  I’m hoping to find someone who sees this as more than just casual volunteering, and who brings a thoughtful, reliable, and professional attitude to the experience.
  
  ◼️ Typical tasks may include:
  
  • Helping with farm preparation, soil work, sowing seeds, planting seedlings, mowing, and harvesting
  • Experimenting with natural farming methods
  • Gardening and basic landscaping
  • DIY and building projects around the property
  • Building simple wooden fences and raised beds
  • Light carpentry, minor repairs, and general hands-on help around the house and land
  • Cutting back bamboo, general outdoor maintenance, and bamboo harvesting
  • Documenting the project and daily activities through photo and video — if you have experience in filming, editing, or making short videos for social media or project records, that would be a lovely bonus
  
  You should know that this is an old house and land that I have only recently purchased, so the project is still in a very early, hands-on stage. Some tasks may involve clearing overgrown areas, sorting things out, picking up rubbish, and doing rather muddy, unglamorous work. I’m looking for someone who can enjoy that process too — someone who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty and can find joy in helping bring an old place back to life..
  
  ◼️ We’d especially love to hear from someone who:
  
  • Is ideally aged 26 or over, although we are open to the right person on a case-by-case basis
  • Has at least basic Japanese ability, or is actively learning Japanese and willing to make an effort to communicate with local people
  • Already has, or will have before arriving, a valid residence status in Japan that allows them to live and work here legally
  • Is polite, well-mannered, honest, open-minded, and easy to communicate with
  • Has a proactive mindset, enjoys taking initiative, and is comfortable managing independently
  • Has good time management and keeps their living space clean and tidy
  • Is calm, reliable, and genuinely capable of living independently
  • Has previous work experience and/or long-term experience of independent living
  • Is friendly and confident enough to say hello to local residents and interact warmly with them
  • Has a genuine interest in Japanese culture and traditions, and is eager to learn more
  • Is not simply travelling around Japan looking for free accommodation
  • Prefers a quiet lifestyle, as this is not a party-style stay
  • Values meaningful connections and is open to building a lasting relationship
  
  ◼️ Pay & schedule
  • Hourly rate: starting from ¥1,000 per hour. As the project is still at an early stage and not yet running as a full business, this is currently the minimum level of pay I’m able to offer. Thank you for your understanding.
  • I am, however, planning a number of other projects and future business developments. If you are hoping to live in Japan longer term and are interested in work related to tourism, regional revitalisation, or marketing that connects rural areas, cities, and international audiences, I’d be very happy to talk separately about possible future full-time opportunities.
  • Hours: usually 4–5 hours per day, around 4 days per week. This can vary a little depending on the season and the work involved, so we can discuss together what feels right.

• 

  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Japonais: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
• 

  Hébergement

  You’ll be staying in the kominka itself — a traditional Japanese farmhouse full of history and character. As the project is still in its early stages and the renovation has not fully started yet, some parts of the house may at times feel a little rough around the edges or be mid-improvement. I’ll do my best to make your stay as comfortable as possible, and I hope you’ll be able to enjoy that slightly imperfect, in-progress side of the experience too. You’ll have your own private room.
  
  ◼️ Facilities (current setup):
  • A temporary kitchen (I’m planning to install a new kitchen area in May)
  • One shared bathroom, used by up to two other people (I’m hoping to add a second bathroom later this year)
  
  ◼️ 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 eat dairy, feel free to bring your own. 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 greatly appreciated, especially as we’ll be sharing the space while the project is still evolving.

• 

  Autres infos...

  During your time off, you’ll have the chance to explore a beautiful part of rural Japan. The 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 beautiful views of the Central and Southern Alps
  • The scenic Kiso Valley, including stretches of the old Nakasendō trail, the historic post town of Narai-juku, and Kiso Town (around a one-hour drive away)
  • Local onsen (hot springs), forest walks, and mountain hikes
  • Peaceful rivers, traditional temples and shrines, and classic Japanese countryside scenery
  • Matsumoto City (around a 1 hour 20 minute drive away)
  
  ◼️ Getting around / transport:
  Public transport is limited here, so having access to a car is by far the easiest way to explore the area. For groceries and basic errands, we’ll usually go together by car. If you’d like to take day trips on your days off, I may sometimes be able to 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 away.
  
  Important:
  Please read the full description before applying.
  To make sure we’re a good match, please start your message with “I read everything.”

• 

  Informations complémentaires

  • 

    Accès Internet

  • 

    Accès Internet limité

  • 

    Nous avons des animaux

  • 

    Nous sommes fumeurs

  • 

    Familles bienvenues

• 

  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il aimait accueillir les digital nomads.

• 

  Espace pour garer des vans

  Cet hôte a de la place pour les vans.

• 

  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Un

• 

  Mes animaux

  

  Charlie

  5 year old tibetan terrier
  

Sécurité du site