Live & Help in Japan’s Beautiful Countryside

Top Host: This host receives lots of worldpackers and has a high average rating, being recognized by the community as a Top Host.
High demand host: This host has received 4 applications recently. We recommend you apply for other positions too.
Connect with nature: 14 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Immerse yourself in the local culture: 14 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

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

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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Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

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14 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

14 Get in touch with nature
14 Immersing in the local culture
14 Meeting locals
13 Meeting international travelers
8 Creating true social impact
8 Developing environmental awareness

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

11 15. Life on land

Dobabi

France

My stay with Nodoka and Yuna was truly incredible. They are kind, attentive, respectful, and professional—they really make you feel at ease. It's easy to chat, talk, and laugh with them, and thanks to them, you learn to discover the city and surrounding areas more easily. Each day, you know exactly what you have to do and how you're going to do it. The tasks are well-distributed, working hours are respected, and the assigned tasks are often quite simple to complete. The living space is comfortable and has everything you need to feel right at home. I truly had an amazing time and recommend.

about 1 month ago

Igor

Slovakia

Nodoka and Yuna are truly wonderful people! He is so kind, generous, and understanding (his English is great!), and she brings so much joy, laughter, and positive vibes. They genuinely care about volunteers' comfort and happiness. The work was light and never boring - cleaning their Airbnb, renovation of a future Airbnb and even some farm help. Sometimes they even treated us to lunch. Motoyama is peaceful and full of nature. We loved the BBQ nights so much! Another big plus was being able to use their car to freely explore the beautiful Shikoku island, just pay for the gas! Totally recommend!

about 2 months ago

Tiana

United States

Our stay in Motoyama has been so nourishing. Our work trade opportunity, as artists, was to help beautify a future cafe space with a mural. So fun painting and contributing to their business. Work days are well organized. Our hosts are very kind, generous, respectful and have taken us with them to some amazing spiritual events/ceremonies that have truly resonated deeply with my heart and soul. I am so grateful. The nature continues to amaze me, so many unbelievable insects and butterflies, clouds, trees, clear blue waters. This place is a joy! Dōmo arigatō gozaimamashita

3 months ago

Lawrence

United States

Our stay in Motoyama at the the guest house was amazing! As artists, we had the opportunity to spend our entire stay painting murals on a new property they are renovating. Nodoka and Yuna are amazing people and were wonderful hosts. They both have excellent communication skills and always made sure we were comfortable. The japanese style bbq's we had were delicious, and we loved the adventures to Shinto shrines & Buddhist temples. Lovely people, peaceful nature, very grateful for the experience and would absolutely come back! Sugoi!:)

3 months ago

Nodoka replied

Your stay transformed a boring garage into a magnificent work of art. I have fond memories of having a Japanese-style barbecue and visiting a shrine with you. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay in the Japanese countryside.

Martin

Czech Republic

Staying here was an amazing experience. Nodoka and Yuna are the most kind, humble and supportive persons I've met. They really try to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. The work was simple - gardening, house cleaning or work on the new Airbnb accommodation. After work we went for a lunch which was a great surprise. Nodoka and Yuna also sometimes spent time with us (me and other volunteers). We did BBQ together, visited a shrine where they showed us a Japanese Shinto tradition with a ceremony that was done by a local priest. I enjoyed the life in the Japan countryside with the locals.

3 months ago

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About the host

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Hosted by Nodoka

Top Host: This host receives a lot of worldpackers and has a high average rating.
Response Rate: This host usually answers to 100% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in A few hours

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