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11 mai 2026
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Description
🏡 Art, Life, and Co-creation Project
🌟 Vision: Building Together, One Step at a Time
Welcome to Step House in the historic town of Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture. I'm TORU, an artist.
After living abroad for over 10 years, I returned to Japan to transform a vacant house into a space for cross-cultural exchange — tackling social issues like depopulation and empty homes through art and human connection. This is not a finished guesthouse. It's an ongoing project, and I'm looking for people who enjoy building something together, step by step.
Step House is also a prototype — the first node of a wider network of vacant home communities across Japan.
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🙋 About Your Host
I'm neurodivergent — when I'm focused on one thing, switching to another becomes difficult. Responding to messages or calls can be a challenge, and when tasks pile up, I can get overwhelmed. I'm navigating this openly, and part of what Step House is about is figuring out how to manage a space, connect with people, and explore possibilities within those realities.
My schedule is flexible and sometimes spontaneous. Clear, on-the-go communication will be key. That said, I'll always treat you with respect and do my best to give you privacy and space.
Step House is still a work in progress. I can only host one person or group at a time.
✅ Who I'm Looking For
- Self-motivated and independent — you find your own rhythm without being managed
- Comfortable with both physical work and everyday life tasks
- An early riser — this project is not suited to a "sleeping until noon" lifestyle
- Able to cook a proper meal independently
- Flexible and easy-going about shared daily life
📅 Availability
Step House is most active from March to July and from September to November.
August, December, and January–February are quiet months — I am usually traveling and not hosting during these periods.
📍 Access
Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
- From Fukuoka: Shinkansen to Shin-Yamaguchi → bus to Hagi (first 10:15 am, last 5:50 pm, ~1hr)
- From Tokyo: Shinkansen or night bus to Yamaguchi → bus to Hagi
Please check your transport options and schedule before getting in touch.
Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre
Bénévolat
Projets artistiques
Pratique d’une langue
Aide avec des éco-projets
Enseignement
Jardinage
Bricolage et construction
Baby-sitting et jeux créatifs
Cuisine/repas pour la famille
Aide à la maison
Entretien général
Aide informatique/internet
Garde de maison et d'animaux
Centres d’intérêt
Végétarien ou végan
Sports nautiques
Musique
Jardinage
Événements/vie sociale
Culture
Menuiserie
Langues
Dessin et peinture
Bricolage / artisanat
Art et design
Nature
Yoga / bien-être
Randonnée
Activités en plein air
Voile / bateau
Camping
Sports d'aventure
Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre
Guests can learn and experience the local lifestyle of Japan, as well as the history of Hagi City.
Projets impliquant des enfants
Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.
Aide
🛠️ What You'll Be Doing
Work is flexible and shaped around your skills.
[March – July] — Physical & Outdoor
- Gardening and weeding
- Exterior wall and studio painting
- DIY and basic construction using reclaimed materials
- Vegetable patch management *(currently building one from scratch — soil knowledge welcome)*
[September – November] — Creative & Operational
- Project planning, documentation, and communication
- Design work (flyers, signage, social media)
- Event planning and community outreach
[Year-round]
- Cooking and daily life support — if physical work isn't your strength, helping in the kitchen is a great way to contribute
- Systems & AI design — building workflows and communication tools to scale this model; input welcome
- Electrical work & mechanics — practical skills are always useful
*Materials and tools are provided as needed.*
Langues
Langues parlées
Japonais: Courant
Anglais: Intermédiaire
Chinois (mandarin): IntermédiaireCet 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
🏠 Facilities
- Private Japanese-style room (tatami, futon, air conditioning, heater)
- Shared kitchen (IH electric stove, seasonings provided)
- Shower room and flush toilet
- Wi-Fi available
- 3 bicycles for free use (repairs at your own cost)
- Studio Nomad — shared creative workspace (clean up after use)
- Parking space available for campervans
🍳 Food & Daily Life
Provided: pasta, noodles (udon, soba, etc.), soy sauce, miso, salt, oil, and basic seasonings. There may be vegetables in the fridge — feel free to use them, but don't count on it.
Beyond the basics, food costs are worked out based on contribution — no fixed rules, just honest communication. Shopping together: split 50/50.
When I'm home, you'll take the lead on cooking. Meals are sometimes shared, sometimes separate — flexibility is key.
Dishes: If you cooked, you don't wash up. Whoever eats takes care of the dishes.
Supermarkets are within walking or cycling distance.
Autres infos...
Hagi is a town where history and nature blend beautifully, perfect for exploring during your vacation.
A large river flows in front of the houses, with shrines and fields nearby.
Activities abound to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, such as strolling along the coast or through the mountains.
You can deeply immerse yourself in Hagi's rich history by visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites, strolling through remarkably well-preserved samurai residences and merchant districts, exploring traditional temples, and discovering local museums. Visiting Hagi-yaki pottery workshops and browsing local craft shops is also highly recommended.
For transportation, many attractions are easily accessible on foot or by bicycle, allowing you to soak up the local atmosphere while touring.
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
Have a car parking space.
Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?
Un
Mes animaux
Discutez avec des workawayers qui ont séjourné chez cet hôte
Feedback (5)
During her residency, I could away traveling, but she responsibly took care of tasks such as cleaning the house and maintaining the garden and wall painting at studio. And she actively created… read more
Toru himself was a very inspiring person for me. During our shared meals we had many conversations about life motivations,… read more
Toru is genuinely… read more
the place have all the facilities you need.
we had culture exchange, making meals and eating together.
and there were another workaway so we shared some space and I enjoyed it very much.
the work was not hard, you communicated about the hours and it pretty chill.
thank you for the hospitality it was amazing!
Photos
Discutez avec des workawayers qui ont séjourné chez cet hôte
Feedback
Ce sont des évaluations supplémentaires en option lorsque les membres laissent un feedback. La note moyenne pour chaque option est affichée.
Exactitude du profil:
(4.6)
Échange culturel:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
During her residency, I could away traveling, but she responsibly took care of tasks such as cleaning the house and maintaining the garden and wall painting at studio. And she actively created… read more
Toru himself was a very inspiring person for me. During our shared meals we had many conversations about life motivations,… read more
Toru is genuinely… read more
the place have all the facilities you need.
we had culture exchange, making meals and eating together.
and there were another workaway so we shared some space and I enjoyed it very much.
the work was not hard, you communicated about the hours and it pretty chill.
thank you for the hospitality it was amazing!
Toru is a great host, who always did everything he could to make things (and tasks) clear, comfortable and fair. He was open to feedback, flexible, and… read more
They helped with house cleaning, weeding,a nd cooked delicious veggie meals. Also left notes for future guests!
They enjoyed local activities like cycling to the shops and hot springs, bringing a fresh vibe to life in Hagi. I'm so appreciated. Thank you so much! Toru
