Workaway in Yamaguchi

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Konichiwa from beautiful Japan

Our month on the farm in Yamaguchi has come to an end today. With a mix of emotions, we are now sitting on the Shinkansen towards Nagasaki. We still have 10 more days to explore Japan. We are excited and curious.

How was our Workaway on the farm?

We enjoyed it very much overall. There are a few things that could be improved, but that is probably subjective. We also found it fascinating to immerse ourselves in the traditions and the life of a Japanese family. We have grown very fond of the people we have met, as well as the family and the dogs.

The work was sometimes very hard and exhausting. Our main task was to chop bamboo and burn it from 7am to 12pm, 5 days a week. It sounds easy, but the trees were several meters high and it got extremely hot by the fire, and the smoke from the fire didn't make it any better. Occasionally, we also had other tasks such as cutting grass, working in the fields, cleaning and organizing the garage and the house. In return, we had our own room and food provided. Our team consisted of very nice people from the USA, France, Switzerland, Japan, and Australia.

The dogs gave me the most joy. I walked them every day through the beautiful forests of Yamaguchi. In our free time, we also enjoyed exploring the surroundings on our bikes. And on our days off, we went on many trips and small adventures across the country. It was also exciting to participate in a tea ceremony where a ritual was held and prayers were made for a good harvest.

Being able to stay in one place for a longer period of time and having some sort of daily routine definitely did us good. After a month, we are also happy to continue our travels and embark on our final road trip through Japan with renewed energy.

Best regards,

Anita