Help with some gardening and DIY projects in rural North Okayama, Japan

  • Last activity : 20 Dec 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Our business is cabinet making and weaving in the rural mountains of Western Japan.
    We renovated an old primary school into workshops and residential space.
    During April - November we often run one day crafts workshops and offer residential courses too.
    From Dec to early March we close for the visitor.

    We have a small natural farm which we use permaculture and natural farming methods for.

    The village we live in is in a very rural quiet area with lots of beautiful surrounding nature.
    We are about 3 hours from Osaka and 1.5 hours from Okayama or Kurashiki city.

    We like to accept volunteers from a minimum of one month stay and prefer those who have a keen interest in Japanese culture, working outside and have creative interests.

    We have also have cats and chickens.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Please read the feed back what the previous volunteers say.

    We like to accept volunteers from a minimum of one month stay and prefer those who have a keen interest in Japanese culture, working outside and have creative interests.

  • Help

    Help

    Volunteer help includes gardening, farming, maintenance, animal care and cleaning.
    If you enjoy cooking you can also help with meals.

    If you have a special skill as graphic design or carpenter, or Yoga teacher extra,,,
    please let us know.

    We have a large garden and plot of farm land which needs much attention.

    We therefore want people who enjoy doing this type of outdoor work and have an appreciation for nature.
    If you have good experience with gardening we'd love to ask you to stay!

    There is no Workaway work required for woodwork or weaving but you may be asked to do some small jobs to help with preparation.

    You can participate if we have workshops running whilst you are here for a small cost.

    From 2021, we run disabled people's day centre at the next door (old Nursery space) from Monday to Friday.
    Where we also apply weavings or many nice craft works or gardening.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Japanese: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    If you have any interest to learn Japanese, I can teach.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Private or shared room in the main building.
    Washing and kitchen facilities available.

    There is free wifi in the buildings.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    We are very rural, isolated with no public transport or shops around here.

    Please read carefully about the information about the access below ! Please don't ask these question by mail!

    The nearest JR station( Mimasaka-Oiwake) is 10 minutes by car, where we can pick you up and drop you off.

    JR
    Kamenoko station (Tsuyama line) is 30 min by car.
    Mimasaka-Oiwake ( Kishin Line) rail station is 10 min by car.

    +Access to us
    Our closest highway bus terminal is Tsuyama , not Okayama. if you are coming from Osaka (~3 hour trip ¥2,750) * JR bus or Shinki Bus
    If you will come from Tokyo, there is a night bus to Tsuyama.

    If coming by highway bus you can catch a connecting train from Tsuyama to Mimasaka-Oiwake where we can pick you up.

    There is another highway bus from Osaka ( Umeda) to Chugoku- Oiwake station which is the nearest bus stop to us.( 10 min by car)

    If you come by JR Shinkansen to Okayama station. You can take tsuyama line to Kamenoko station where we can pick you up. It takes 30 min by car.

    Okayama airport is 50 min by car.

    + Days Off
    On volunteers' days off they like to visit Okayama City, Kurashiki , Katsusyama or Tsuyama city. There are also lots of beautiful places to walk and see around here.
    We can drop you to nearest JR station.

    * Weather
    It is very cold here during the autumn and winter up to March.

    * Wear and Boots
    We can provide you with boots and gloves for outside work.
    There is a free box for the working wears for you to borrow.
    There is a big second hand cloth shop near here where you can get very cheap and nice clothes.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have free wifi to offer you to work.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have big parking space.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

Host ref number: 857594542578

Feedback (43)



Photos

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(4.9)














































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