Live & Help in Japan’s Beautiful Countryside

Higher chance of approval: This host has recently approved volunteers and is looking for more applications.
Connect with nature: 9 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Immerse yourself in the local culture: 9 travelers recommend this host for those looking for a local cultural immersion
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

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What you offer

25h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

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What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Discounts on Tours: Get discounts for tours and excursions around town.

Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!

Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

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Availability

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Stay at least: 2 weeks

The Experience

We moved from Tokyo to rural Shikoku and run a guesthouse in a renovated home. Our family enjoys country life with nature and animals, and we’d love for you to experience it too. Public transport is limited, so having a car helps. The guesthouse hosts up to three groups, so you may share with others. We need help with cleaning and organizing for our new guesthouse. If you can drive, we may ask for help with our children.

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Requirements

Intermediate English or Fluent Japanese
Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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b) How was your day-to-day routine?
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9 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Guest House

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

9 Get in touch with nature
9 Immersing in the local culture
9 Meeting locals
8 Meeting international travelers
5 Developing environmental awareness
4 Developing social awareness

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

6 15. Life on land

Alexandria

Australia

We had an incredible three and a bit weeks with Nodoka and Yuna in Motoyama! We loved living in the guest house sharehouse with the other volunteers and the work was really exactly as described and super flexible. We were given lunch every day we worked - quite often out at little restaurants. It is a fantastic experience to engage with the town's community and spend every day swimming in the beautiful clear river! Nodoka and Yuna are so friendly and welcoming and truly appreciate the work you contribute. It feels like a very fair exchange and made for a fantastic experience!

22 days ago

Evi

United Kingdom

Had a great time in Motoyama with our fantastic hosts! I was able to contribute some artistic skills for mural painting as my work which was great. We also got to use the staff car to travel to iya valley and surrounding areas. Nodoka-san even took us out to restaurants and cafes for our staff lunches which was so kind of him. Absolutely amazing experience we definitely want to come back again!

about 1 month ago

Liam

United Kingdom

Thank you both for the most amazing experience in Motoyama. We loved our time here, especially down by the river and being able to go explore to Iya valley. We enjoyed the work and the food. Wishing you all the best and would love to come again!

about 1 month ago

Toni

Hong Kong (Sar)

I really appreciated the opportunity to stay in Motoyama Town for a month. Kato and Yuna were superb hosts and very easy to communicate with. I learned a lot during this month, both through work and by experiencing the local culture. I truly felt at home here. If I hadn't decided to come, I think I would have regretted it. My stay in Motoyama has been one of the best travel experiences of my life. If I get the chance again, I wouldn't hesitate to come back in the future haha. In the end, I just want to say thank you again to Kato and Yuna, and I wish them all the best.

about 2 months ago

Cécile

France

I spent a really good time here in Motoyama. This little town is surrounded by amazing nature and there's a beautiful lake behind the big dam nearby. Nodoka was really thoughtful and provided me with everything I needed to paint a mural. Even more than I needed. He speaks good English which allowed to have a smooth communication. Yuna, his rbnb partner is great too, very nice and speaks good English too. For other travellers: you will accommodate in a guesthouse with other volunteers, we are independent and Nodoka lives just 20 minutes away.

3 months ago

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About the host

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Hosted by Nodoka

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