Immerse yourself into Japanese farming culture by lending a hand at a traditional village farm! In addition to helping a local farm, volunteers will gain valuable cultural experience.
Program Highlights
Your Schedule at a Glance: (Minimum one-week commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). You will be picked up from the airport and taken to your accommodations just outside of Otaki Village.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will join a tour of the local area and participate in culture and Japanese language lessons on this day.
Day 3-6, Tuesday-Friday: Wake up at sunrise to help with chores before working 2-5 hours at the farm. Throughout the week, volunteers will be able to join cultural activities (included) such as visits to natural springs, learning to make origami, joining a matcha tea ceremony, learning to make sushi, trekking and more!
Day 7, Saturday: Departure day for volunteers staying only one week. Free day for volunteers extending.
Remaining Weeks: Remaining weeks will follow the pattern of volunteering Monday-Friday and free weekends to explore.
Program Highlights
- Experience authentic Japanese culture by assisting farmers in a small, hillside village
- Help in the daily operations and maintenance of a sustainable village farm
- Enjoy weekly cultural activities such as sushi making, trekking, origami, visits to natural hot springs and more
- Enhance your experience with a travel add-on (see "Travel Highlights" below)
Your Schedule at a Glance: (Minimum one-week commitment):
Day 1, Sunday: Arrive at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). You will be picked up from the airport and taken to your accommodations just outside of Otaki Village.
Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will join a tour of the local area and participate in culture and Japanese language lessons on this day.
Day 3-6, Tuesday-Friday: Wake up at sunrise to help with chores before working 2-5 hours at the farm. Throughout the week, volunteers will be able to join cultural activities (included) such as visits to natural springs, learning to make origami, joining a matcha tea ceremony, learning to make sushi, trekking and more!
Day 7, Saturday: Departure day for volunteers staying only one week. Free day for volunteers extending.
Remaining Weeks: Remaining weeks will follow the pattern of volunteering Monday-Friday and free weekends to explore.
Location of the Project:
Otaki Village, Nagano, Japan
Project length:
Min 1 week - Max 8 weeks
Arrival Airport:
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
Volunteer Work:
Farming, agriculture
Age:
Min age of 18. Age exceptions: Participants aged 16 and 17 may apply with parental consent
Number of Volunteers:
Up to 20 international volunteers
What's Included
Accommodations:
Shared rooms in a homestay or dorm-style accommodation
Food:
Three meals per weekday are provided, two meals on weekends are provided
Airport Transfers:
Airport pickup is provided upon arrival
Orientation:
Volunteers will join a tour of the local area and participate in culture and Japanese language lessons on their first Monday.
Support:
Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What's not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunches on weekends, return airport transfer (approx. $60 USD), personal expenses.
Japan offers an amazing mix of traditionalism and modernism. From traditional villagers who sleep on tatami mats to the modern city-dwellers of Tokyo, Japan is rich with culture. This program takes place in the traditional village of Otaki, in the mountainous Nagano Prefecture in central Japan. This region is where the 1998 Winter Olympics were held, and is home to many ski resorts, hot springs, parks and beautiful mountain landscapes.
Volunteer tasks vary by season. During spring, summer and fall, most tasks will take place outside and involve fieldwork. During winter months, tasks will be mainly indoors and will focus on the conservation of the harvest as well as handicrafts. The village families are very traditional and treasure their Japanese culture. They are eager to share their traditions and customs with volunteers, so cultural exchange is also a large part of this program.
Summer tasks include:
Winter tasks include:
Summer tasks include:
- Fertilizing fields
- Plowing fields
- Planting / harvesting
- Maintaining fences to keep out the monkeys and wild boars
- Maintaining the water supply system
- Partaking in various, group cultural activities
Winter tasks include:
- Harvest conservation
- Handicrafts
- Partaking in various, group cultural activities
Internet:
WiFi is available in public areas.
Laundry:
Volunteers should be prepared to wash their clothes by hand.
Accommodations:
Volunteers will stay in shared, single-gender rooms with up to seven other volunteers either in a local homestay or a dorm-style accommodation, depending on availability. Bathrooms are shared, and beds are Japanese-style (tatami mats on the floor). There are hot showers and Western-style toilets. There is no air conditioning, indoor heating or fans. Accommodations are approximately 10-25 minutes outside of the village by car.
Food:
Three meals per weekday are provided, and two meals on weekend days are provided. Meals will be local cuisine and typically include rice and vegetables.
Please take note of this program's minimum requirements:
- Basic level of English
- Police clearance
- Minimum age of 18 (or 16-17 with parental consent)
- Moderate level of physical fitness
- Interest in traditional Japanese culture
There is endless fun awaiting you in Nagano! During winter, there are many ski resorts to visit, and in summer, travelers can easily find places to hike and kayak. During free weekends, and at their own expense, volunteers can visit:
- Onsen hot springs
- Snow Monkey Park (Home to wild snow monkeys that enjoy bathing in hot springs!)
- Various ski resorts (including those where the Winter Olympics of 1998 were held!)
- Matsumoto Castle
- The Zenkoji Temple and more.
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