Experience Living Like A Local Farmer In The Countryside of Japan!

Escape from the city

Another stay at a Balinese-themed resort, situated next to a beach with lapping waves? If the usual resort stay and American-themed breakfast by the pool no longer excites you, then join me as we step into the world of WWOOF! No, not the sound made by a dog barking, but an extraordinary local holiday at a farmstay deep in the tranquil countryside of Japan.

WWOOF not WOOF

WWOOF is an acronym for “World Wide Opportunities for Organic Farming”, an exchange programme, which provides volunteers with lodging and meals in exchange for work on the farm.

The brainchild of Sue Coppard, a secretary in London city, WWOOF has its origins in England of Autumn 1971, when Coppard started on an organic movement initiative, which allowed people to experience organic living while giving back with volunteer help.

Today, WWOOF Japan has hundreds of hosts in eight broad regions such as Hokkaido, Kansai, and Chubu, plus prefectures of the region. Participants can select the prefectures they desire to visit, and view the list of hosts available.

Selecting your host

The list would display information such as the current status of the host, for example, if urgent help is needed, the type of farms or businesses available, and the hours of help needed in a day. Communication is not a barrier as the details of the host includes the languages spoken by the host, and the fluency level. To help you as you meander through the database of hosts, a photo gallery from each host would show previous volunteers (aka Wwoofers) during their stay in the farm, the kind of work done, photos of the accommodation, if families with children are accepted (Yes! Some farms are children-friendly!) and the host’s family members.

Depending on your preference for the farm life you would like to experience, you will have to keep in mind the type of work available is directly related to the host’s business. For example, an apple orchard would require you to climb on ladders for harvesting the apples as opposed to a pear orchard where pear trees are typically around 5 feet tall.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation and meals will be provided for by the host. You may also highlight your dietary requirements and the thoughtful host would do their best to accommodate. However, do note that there is an annual membership fee of 5500 JPY (approximately 46 USD), which allows you to WWOOF unlimited for a year. You will also need to pay for your own transportation costs and air tickets.

Your host will cook you healthy meals with organic produce from their own farm! Yes, organic farming that uses organic wastes and compost as the form of fertilizers.

Climate consideration

If you hail from a country with Summer all year round, you might like to experience daily work routine of a farmer in Fukuoka in the cool and comfortable Spring season with temperatures around 65.6 degree Fahrenheit (18.7 degree Celsius) in the afternoon.

It is important to consider the climate because you would be out in the orchard or plantation helping your host with typical farm duties like ploughing the fields, sowing seeds or harvesting.

Time for play

お疲れ様です! (Ostukaresama desu; Thank you for your hard work!) Now that it is your day off, it is time to explore around the countryside in your bicycle! Once you have shortlisted the host you would like to visit, remember to check with them on the places of interests near his or her home. More often than not, a short bus ride would get you to the nearest shrine or the town center.

Step out of your comfort zone

Go WWOOFing with an open mind, understand and learn the way of life in the countryside. You may be welcomed by hosts with no modern day trappings, such as the television, and no air conditioning in the summer heat or modern toilet facilities.

It is important to know how well you will be able to adapt to these conditions, and discover yourself in the process. A friendly word of advice, the lack of a television may not necessarily be a bad thing! It frees up quality time for interaction between hosts and WWOOFers, and no air conditioning provides you with the opportunity to sleep with Mother Nature, as you embrace the fresh air of the countryside and wake up to the sound of the neighbor’s rooster!