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Join us in the peaceful mountains of Yoshino, Nara, where you'll experience daily life at a traditional Japanese temple while helping preserve the surrounding Satoyama (traditional rural landscape).
Our temple values nature, sustainability, and community. This is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers who enjoy working outdoors, learning about Japanese culture, and contributing to environmental conservation.
5 hours of help per day
Kitchen Hand: Help prepare, finish and serve meals.
Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.
Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.
Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens
1 day off per week
Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.
Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.
Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.
Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!
Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.
Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.
Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely
Beginner Japanese or Beginner English
Between 20 and 65 years old
Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers
Mandatory volunteer introduction video
Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa
Temple life is peaceful and respectful. We value kindness, cooperation, and consideration for others. We ask volunteers to respect quiet times and temple etiquette.
Your safety and well-being are always our priority. We'll work together at a comfortable pace, and if you ever have questions, we're always happy to help.
If you're looking for a meaningful cultural exchange surrounded by beautiful forests, mountains, and traditional Japanese life, we'd love to welcome you to our temple. 🌸
Volunteers usually help 4–5 hours per day with a variety of seasonal outdoor and light maintenance tasks, including:
Maintaining the temple's forest and mountain trails
Clearing branches, bamboo, and fallen leaves
Grass cutting and general landscaping
Creating natural compost using animal manure and fallen leaves
Assisting with the care of farm animals
Watering flowers and vegetables (seasonal)
Light cleaning and maintenance around the temple and guesthouse
Helping prepare for Buddhist ceremonies and temple events when needed
Tasks vary depending on the season and weather, making every stay a unique experience.
No experience required
You don't need any special skills—just a positive attitude and a willingness to help.
We especially welcome volunteers who:
Enjoy nature and outdoor activities
Like working with animals
Are interested in sustainability and environmental conservation
Want to experience authentic Japanese culture
Are curious about life at a traditional Buddhist temple
Let's treat each other with consideration. The temple values quiet time and etiquette. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have questions. We carry out tasks with safety as a priority, and we welcome those who value nature and animals.
