WWOOF Japan - User Account

Member for
1 years

City/Town/Village (Romaji)

大野町

City/Town/Village (Japanese)

豊後大野市

Host Type

Vegetable Gardens
Nature School

Other Host Type (Japanese)

Other Host Type (English)

Activities

Companion Plants
Kaki (Persimmon) Orchard
Keeping Free-Range Chickens
Producing Honey
Opportunities to Study Japanese
An Educational Environment
Lectures or Classes for Learning About Nature
Environmental Education
Picking Up Garbage
Producing Miso
Making Japanese Pickles
Slaughtering Chickens for Meat for Human Consumption
Swimming in the Ocean (In Season)
Hot Spring
General Japanese Family

Organic Production

70 to 90% organic

Organic Certification

Certification Details

Organic Lifestyle

We have an organic attitude of sorts, but we do not go out of our way to be organic or alternative, rather, we do what suits us at the time

Example of Lifestyle (Japanese)

家庭菜園をしている、旬の食材でご飯作り、手作りの保存食作り（味噌、梅干しなど）、生ゴミはコンポストでゴミを減らす生活を心がけている、洗剤や調味料は自然なものを選ぶ、テレビは見ずに家族との対話の時間を大切にしている、使えるものは長く使用している、子どもと共に生活をするため早寝早起きである

Example of Lifestyle (English)

We grow a small vegetable garden at home and enjoy cooking with seasonal produce.
We like making traditional preserved foods like miso and umeboshi (pickled plums).
We compost our kitchen scraps and try to keep waste to a minimum.
We choose natural cleaning products and simple, wholesome ingredients.
We don’t watch TV and instead enjoy quiet time and conversations as a family.
We try to use things for as long as possible and avoid throwing things away unnecessarily.
We live with our young child, so our days start early and end early too.

Diet

General diet including meat and fish
We cook mainly Japanese meals
We usually cook homemade meals

Alcoholic Drinks

When we have a party or an event, we might drink with WWOOFers but these occasions are not so often

Do Host members smoke?

No, nobody smokes

Atmosphere

In the town
In a shopping district
Near the mountains
Quiet place
On a small street

Home and Work

Our home and our workplace are situated at the same place or very close to each other and so the atmosphere stated pertains to both our home and our workplace

Type of Home

Small House
One Story House

Other Home Type (Japanese)

Other Home Type (English)

Spring Temperature

15℃

Summer Temperature

39℃

Autumn Temperature

20℃

Winter Temperature

5℃

Livestock

Yes

Type of Livestock

Chickens for Eggs
Chickens for Meat

Other Livestock (Japanese)

Other Livestock (English)

Pets

Yes

Type of pets

Cat
Other Pets

Other Pets (Japanese)

やぎ

Other Pets (English)

Goat

WWOOFer Acceptance Period

All Year Round

Duration of Stay

3 to 4 Weeks
A Few Weeks to a Few Months
The period will be determined depending on our workload

WWOOFers at a Time

Up to Two

WWOOFers Per Year

5 to 20

When two or more WWOOFers are traveling together, the Host prefers:

2 friend WWOOFers of the same gender
2 friend WWOOFers of different gender
A group of friends WWOOFing together
A couple who are WWOOFing together
A wife and husband couple
A wife and husband and their child(ren)
A mother or a father and their child(ren)
Siblings WWOOFing together

Accepting Children

They are very welcome

Preferred WWOOFer Traits

Any gender
WWOOFers of any age
We prefer WWOOFers who can speak Japanese
We welcome all nationalities
WWOOFers who like nature
WWOOFers who are interested in environmental issues
WWOOFers who are interested in living in a rural area
WWOOFers who can cook
WWOOFers who can cook meals by themselves at the Host
WWOOFers who like doing house chores, for example cooking, cleaning and washing
WWOOFers who can clean rooms
WWOOFers who can look after children
WWOOFers who like animals
Active WWOOFers
Cheerful WWOOFers
WWOOFers who like talking to people
Funny WWOOFers
WWOOFers who have a happy smile
Honest WWOOFers
Responsible WWOOFers
WWOOFers who can be cooperative
WWOOFers who are interested in producing quality outcomes
WWOOFers who can be fine with humid hot summer
WWOOFers who have a will to learn the native language(s)
WWOOFers who are interested in this culture
WWOOFers who do not have any animal allergies
WWOOFers who do not have dust allergy

Other Preferred Traits (Japanese)

Other Preferred Traits (English)

WWOOFer Tasks

Weeding
Gathering grass
Planting seedlings in the ground
Harvesting
Managing vegetable / rice fields
Cleaning
Cooking
Washing the dishes
General housework
Looking after children
Making flower gardens
Helping farm / environmental experience courses
Teaching
Helping with office activities
Helping at events

Other Tasks (Japanese)

Other Tasks (English)

Volunteer Hours

We are trying to give WWOOFers 6 hours a day, however, it may increase or decrease depending on the activities we are doing

WWOOFer Accommodations

In a room in the house where the Host family live
In a traditional Japanese Tatami mat room
Using a Japanese futon
In a tiny room

Other Accommodations (Japanese)

Other Accommodations (English)

Eating Arrangements

Usually with the Host

Other Eating Arrangements (Japanese)

Other Eating Arrangements (English)

Vegetarian Meals

Depends on the situation

Is smoking permitted?

No

Computer Use

Yes, but it is limited

Internet for WWOOFers

Yes

Interaction/Communication with WWOOFers

If we do not have any language barriers, we have time to communicate with WWOOFers

Must WWOOFer speak Japanese?

Yes
Yes, to a certain degree

Languages Spoken

Japanese

Other Languages (Japanese)

Other Languages (English)

Message To WWOOFers In Japanese

【はじめに】
私たちは大分県で、学校に通っていない小中学生14名が通う小さなフリースクール「ここのね自由な学校」を運営しながら、3歳の息子と家族でゆるやかに暮らしています。
ここは特別な大自然の中にある農家ではありません。しかし、家庭菜園、コンポスト、保存食づくりなど、日々の暮らしの中に学びと喜びを見出す生き方を大切にしています。

【私たちが大切にしていること】
テレビはなく、対話や読書、そして自然に近い調味料や洗剤を選ぶなど、「できる範囲で丁寧に」暮らすことを心がけています。私たちの生活は、完璧なオーガニックではありませんが、自分たちらしく心地よい、自然とつながる生き方を模索するプロセスそのものです。

【お願いしたいお仕事（ウーファーさんの役割）】
私たちは教育業を生業としています。そのため、お任せする仕事は「教育や暮らしを支える裏方」がメインとなります。

7月〜8月：スクールの野外体験イベントの準備補助、庭や学校周りの草刈りが中心です。

9月以降： 9月に第二子の出産を控えているため、家事（特に料理）や育児のサポート、掃除などがメインとなります。

通年： 5畝ほどの小さな畑の手入れ、ペットのお世話など。
※一人で黙々と作業していただく時間も多いですが、その「静かな時間」も楽しんでいただければ幸いです。

【こんな方にぜひ来てほしい！】

とにかく子どもが好きな方：スクールには個性豊かな子たちが通い、家にはパワフルな3歳児（怪獣です笑）がいます。

「子どもを通して自分を見つめたい」方：子どもたちの在り方は、私たちの考え方に大きな気づきを与えてくれます。

教育現場の裏側や、日本の30代のリアルな暮らしに興味がある方。

反対に、子どもが苦手な方や、静かな環境だけを求める方には、少しパワーが必要な環境かもしれません。

【お楽しみと休日】
私たちの住む地域は温泉が自慢です！お休みの日には、ぜひ一緒に温泉へ行きましょう。心身ともにリフレッシュできる時間を共有できれば嬉しいです。

【メッセージ】
派手な農業体験や刺激的なアクティビティはないかもしれません。しかし、共に食卓を囲み、丁寧に暮らしを営む中で、何かを感じ取ってくださる方との出会いを楽しみにしています。「私たちは英語がほとんど話せません。でも、身振り手振りや翻訳アプリを使いながら、心を通わせたいと思っています。言葉の壁を越えて、一緒に暮らしを楽しめる方をお待ちしています！」

Message To WWOOFers In English

[About Us]
We run a small alternative school called "Kokonone" in Oita Prefecture for 14 elementary and junior high school students who have chosen not to attend public school. We live a gentle daily life as a family with our 3-year-old son.
While we are not a farm in the middle of grand nature, we value a lifestyle where we find learning and joy in everyday activities—such as growing vegetables in our home garden, making preserved foods like miso and umeboshi, and composting.

[Our Values]
We don't have a TV; instead, we cherish time for dialogue and reading. We choose natural detergents and seasonings as much as possible, aiming to live "carefully within our means." Our life isn't perfectly organic or an ideal rural fantasy, but we are exploring a way of living that feels comfortable and connected to nature.

[WWOOFer's Role & Tasks]
Since our main work is education, your tasks will primarily be "behind-the-scenes" support for our school and daily life.

July – August: Mainly helping with preparations for outdoor events for the school and weeding/mowing around the garden and school.

September onwards: We are expecting our second baby in September! During this time, the main tasks will be housework (especially cooking), childcare support, and cleaning.

Year-round: Tending to our small field (about 500sqm) and caring for our pets.

Note: There will be many times when you work quietly by yourself. We hope you can enjoy that "quiet time" as well.

[Who We are Looking For]

Someone who truly loves children. You will interact with unique children at school and a powerful 3-year-old "little monster" at home!

Someone who wants to "learn and reflect on oneself through children." The way children exist gives us many quiet yet profound realizations.

Someone interested in the behind-the-scenes of education and the real daily life of a 30s Japanese family.

This environment might be overwhelming for those who are not comfortable with children or noisy environments.

[Days Off & Fun]
Our area is famous for its Hot Springs (Onsen)! On your days off, let's go to an onsen together. We would love to share a relaxing time with you.

[A Message to You]
We may not offer exciting agricultural activities or flashy experiences. However, we look forward to meeting someone who can find meaning in sharing meals and living mindfully together.

[Language Note]
We can hardly speak English. However, we want to connect with you through gestures and translation apps! We welcome anyone who is happy to enjoy life with us regardless of the language barrier.