Help with reviving abandoned agricultural land and natural rice farming in Katsuragi, Japan

Detalhes

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  Descrição

  Hi, my name is Atsushi and I’m working on reviving abandoned agricultural lands in Katsuragi, Nara.
  At the moment, I’m working on multiple rice fields and I plant, harvest and process the rice by hand using the traditional method without using large-scale machinery.
  I also take care of a small-scale vegetable patch, orchard, backyard garden, ponds, greenhouse dome and bamboo forest.
  Although the house is connected to the grid and you’ve got everything you need for civilised life, I’m working toward energy self-sufficiency as well.
  I have lived in Australia for nine years and I teach English at universities half of the week .
  I’m also a qualified Japanese teacher and I'm happy to help if you are learning Japanese.
  Please note that this is a volunteer position. All of this is my passion project and I don't make any money out of this.

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  Tipos de ajuda e oportunidades de aprendizado

  Ajuda em projetos ambientais

  Jardinagem

  Construção/faça você mesmo

  Ajuda em fazenda

  Criar/cozinhar refeições caseiras

  Ajuda a cuidar da casa
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  Objetivos de sustentabilidade da ONU que este anfitrião quer atingir

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  O que é isso?
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  Oportunidades de intercâmbio cultural e aprendizado

  You’ll get to experience the traditional style of rice farming. It has taught me a lot about observing and working with nature. My joy is not just to get a yield but to work on the field and feel connected to nature, see plants grow, wild life come by. I hope I can share that experience.
  In rural Japan, there are tons of abandoned houses and agricultural lands desperately needing young people who can look after them. I’m still learning through trial and error and it is a hard work but knowing how to turn an abandoned house into an off-grid house and to grow your own food, starting from scratch using only minimum equipment, is really empowering.
  Music, martial arts and plant medicine are my other passions and I have a variety of musical instruments and a small dojo/yoga space as well. I'd love to share my passions if you share similar interests.
  People who stayed here have also taught me so many skills, so much about different cultures, gave me so many inspiring ideas and I've made so many dear friends all over the world. I'm looking forward to learning about your culture and your special skills, and meeting a friend whom I have yet to meet.

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  Ajuda

  The main intake periods are rice planting/wheat harvesting in June, weeding of the rice field in July, rice harvesting in late October and rice processing in December. Depends on the season but I normally host one to two-week stay.
  I'm looking for help with planting, harvesting, processing mainly rice but also vegetables and fruits here and there.
  We have very humid summer and weed grows at unbelievable speed but I mostly use the natural farming method which doesn’t till the soil or use chemicals so weeding is another big part of the job to create some space for plants to grow and let air and water flow.
  I’m also looking for help with making firewood, cooking, cleaning and other general help around the house.
  
  Following are some of potential tasks depending on your skill, experience or interest:
  
  If you have experience, knowledge or interest in natural farming, permaculture or any other kinds of alternative farming methods, foraging, preserving food or anything related to living self sufficiently and sustainably, your help will be much appreciated.
  
  If you like or are interested in cooking and/or baking, I normally cook something very simple using what's available. It will be wonderful if you can make something better.
  
  Please let me know if you have used a weed wacker/whipper snipper before, I use them to clear large areas .
  
  If you can handle physically demanding tasks, I’m also setting up another rice field far bigger than the current one starting from scratch. It involves clearing the field and digging swales and setting up irrigation channels.
  
  If you have building or woodwork skills, I have lots of DIY projects going on as well.
  
  Those who can teach piano improvisation or double bass, or anyone who loves music is also welcome.

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas
  Inglês: Fluente
  Japonês: Fluente
  Espanhol: Iniciante

  Este anfitrião oferece intercâmbio de idiomas
  My background is linguistics and language teaching. I have lived in Australia for nine years and I teach English at universities. I’m also a qualified Japanese teacher and I'm happy to help if you are learning Japanese. I have also majored in Spanish which I have pretty much forgotten.
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  Acomodação

  I’m living on the property with some fish. You will have your own tatami room. The house is two story and kitchen, living room and bathroom are shared.
  Although the house is connected to the grid, it is primarily running on solar power so I'd like guests to be mindful about energy usage. I'd like to keep the house tidy and clean and I expect guests to do the same in the shared areas.
  You will be provided with basic plant-based food. I enjoy making food from scratch and baking bread but cooking is not my strong suit and I usually eat just brown rice, salad or soup and something very simple using things available. It will be great if you can cook something better.

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  Algo mais...

  The place is in western Nara, at the foot of the mountain range dividing Nara and Osaka.
  It has easy access to Osaka, less than an hour to get to Tennoji on the train. A bike is available for you to get around. It's on a hill so it takes less than 10 minutes to get to the closest station but 20 minutes on the way back...
  
  It is on the edge of a historical and agricultural conservation area so the area is chill and beautiful despite its proximity to Osaka. The house is on top of a hill and surrounded by trees and bamboo and it is secluded but has a good view. You probably don't feel so rural here but things get lush as soon as you go up the hill. You get visited by racoons, racoons dogs and lots of birds and amphibians, sometimes wild boars, monkeys as well. Most of my neighbours are old-time farmers and there aren't many young people in the neighbourhood. They will generously bombard you with their surpass vege when they spot you.
  Though there’s not so many popular tourist attractions around here, it is where the ancient capital was before Tokyo and Kyoto and the area has got lots of historical heritages, ruins and cool old shrines, some of which still have the ancient form of Shinto. It is also the birthplace of Shugendo, Japanese mountain religion, and there are lots of good short hikes as well.

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  Mais alguns detalhes

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    Acesso à internet

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    Acesso à internet limitado

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    Temos mascotes

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    Somos fumantes

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    Pode hospedar famílias

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  Pode hospedar nômades digitais

  I teach English online as well and I've got a good wifi connection. I usually turn off wifi after midnight.

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  Espaço para estacionar campervans

  There's spare parking for at least two more vehicles.

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  Pode aceitar animais

  Depends but please let me know what kind of pet you have.

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  Quantos Workawayers pode acomodar?

  2

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