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Welcome to our family's 130-year-old traditional kayabuki (thatched-roof) farmhouse near the breathtaking Lake Tazawa in Akita, Tohoku region.
We're a young family who works remotely, grows our own vegetables, and enjoys the peaceful rhythm of countryside life. As a volunteer, you'll experience authentic Japanese culture by sharing everyday family life, connecting with our welcoming local community, and enjoying the beauty of all four seasons.
3 hours of help per day
Kitchen Hand: Help prepare, finish and serve meals.
Housekeeping: Help with changing the bed linens and general housekeeping.
Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.
Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens
Amount: € 8 Per day
Fee pays for: Benefits for travelers
Description: food expense and utility costs
2 days 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.
Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.
Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, 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!
Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!
Get free drinks or beverages.: Drink up! Get free and tasty drinks for yourself.
Free Parties: Get free entrance for the best parties in town.
Free Events: Get free entrance for the best events in town.
Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.
Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.
Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.
Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely
Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely
Intermediate English or Beginner Japanese
Between 18 and 30 years old
Only hosts solo volunteers (doesn’t accept couples or partners)
Travel insurance
Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa
Live like a local, not like a tourist.
Welcome to our home in Akita!
We’re a young family living in a 130-year-old thatched-roof farmhouse near beautiful Lake Tazawa. We work remotely, raise our little child, grow vegetables, and care for our old home while enjoying a simple life surrounded by nature.
Life here changes with the seasons. In spring, we enjoy cherry blossoms and gather wild mountain vegetables. Summer brings lush green rice fields, autumn is for mushrooms and harvests, and winter is filled with snow, skiing, and warm evenings by the wood stove. We also love sharing local festivals, traditions, and time with our wonderful neighbors.
As part of our family, you’ll mainly help with everyday household tasks such as washing dishes, doing laundry, and keeping the house tidy. Depending on the season, we may also work in the garden, split firewood, or take care of our farmhouse together. We don’t expect perfection—just a positive attitude and a willingness to share daily life.
We ask each volunteer to contribute ¥1,200 per day toward food expenses. We’ll share home-cooked meals and everyday family life together.
In return, we hope you’ll experience the real Japan beyond guidebooks: relaxing hot springs, breathtaking nature, meaningful conversations, and the warmth of our local community.
If you’re curious, open-minded, and excited to experience authentic Japanese countryside life, we’d be delighted to welcome you.
We don’t just share a house—we share a way of life.
Join our everyday life in rural Japan 🗾
Every day is a little depending on the season, weather, and our family schedule.
Most mornings, you’ll help us for around 3–4 hours with everyday household tasks such as:
* Washing dishes
* Laundry
* Vacuuming and light cleaning
* Keeping shared spaces tidy
Depending on the season, we may also work together on:
* Gardening
* Vegetable growing
* Chopping firewood
* Small DIY or farmhouse maintenance
* Seasonal farm work
The rest of the day is your free time! You can relax, explore Lake Tazawa, visit hot springs, hike, ski in winter, or simply enjoy the peaceful countryside.
We usually share meals and enjoy conversations together whenever our schedules allow.
We believe the best memories come from sharing everyday life, not following a schedule.
Rather than simply helping with tasks, we hope you’ll enjoy becoming part of our everyday life.
*Please respect our home, family, and daily routine.
*Smoking is allowed outside only.
*Help keep shared spaces clean and tidy, and put rubbish in the correct bins.
*Our little child goes to bed early, so we appreciate quiet evenings.
*Please be gentle with our animals and help us care for our 130-year-old farmhouse.
Most importantly, we value kindness, open communication, and mutual respect:)
