Where
Otaki, Japan
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Anyone after a real immersion in Japanese culture, keen to share their own background and see daily life in a small mountain village up close
Project details
In Otaki, a small village set in the mountains, the project gives locals the chance to practise English in a relaxed, friendly setting.
In a place where chances to meet people from abroad are rare, the community has decided to open up to the world by hosting volunteers who can spark conversation and bring fresh perspectives.
The programme isn't a formal school but a space for exchange: at the community house or in occasional meet-ups with local schools, you'll help students, shopkeepers and residents practise the language, encouraging them to feel more confident. At the same time, you'll join cultural and craft activities, getting a real feel for daily life in the village.
Your role is that of a cultural ambassador, sharing stories, ideas and small moments that can really matter to a community looking to the future without losing sight of its traditions.
The programme isn't a formal school but a space for exchange: at the community house or in occasional meet-ups with local schools, you'll help students, shopkeepers and residents practise the language, encouraging them to feel more confident. At the same time, you'll join cultural and craft activities, getting a real feel for daily life in the village.
Your role is that of a cultural ambassador, sharing stories, ideas and small moments that can really matter to a community looking to the future without losing sight of its traditions.
Live like a local in the Japanese mountains
In Otaki, a small village set in the mountains, the project gives locals the chance to practise English in a relaxed, friendly setting.
In a place where chances to meet people from abroad are rare, the community has decided to open up to the world by hosting volunteers who can spark conversation and bring fresh perspectives.
The programme isn't a formal school but a space for exchange: at the community house or in occasional meet-ups with local schools, you'll help students, shopkeepers and residents practise the language, encouraging them to feel more confident. At the same time, you'll join cultural and craft activities, getting a real feel for daily life in the village.
Your role is that of a cultural ambassador, sharing stories, ideas and small moments that can really matter to a community looking to the future without losing sight of its traditions.
The programme isn't a formal school but a space for exchange: at the community house or in occasional meet-ups with local schools, you'll help students, shopkeepers and residents practise the language, encouraging them to feel more confident. At the same time, you'll join cultural and craft activities, getting a real feel for daily life in the village.
Your role is that of a cultural ambassador, sharing stories, ideas and small moments that can really matter to a community looking to the future without losing sight of its traditions.
Why participate
Share your language and your background
Help the people of Otaki practise their English while picking up Japanese traditions and a few words yourself: a real two-way exchange.
Why participate
Share your language and your background
Help the people of Otaki practise their English while picking up Japanese traditions and a few words yourself: a real two-way exchange.
See rural Japan up close
Spend time with a community that lives at a slower pace, between mountains, nature and traditions that show a real Japan beyond the big cities.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, days are split between English conversation sessions with residents, cultural activities and prep time.
In the morning you might visit schools or join community-linked activities, while afternoons are often for sessions at the community house and cultural exchange with the locals.
07:30Breakfast and getting ready for the day
09:00A cultural walk through the village or meet-ups with residents
11:30English conversation session at the community house
13:00Traditional Japanese lunch with the other volunteers or with the locals
15:00Cultural or craft activities (origami, tea ceremony, local cooking)
19:00Shared dinner and an evening of cultural exchange with the group
Weekend
Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore the area, plan a short trip, or just take it easy with the other volunteers.
Trekking on Mount Ontake
Walk the trails of Japan's second-highest volcano, between unspoilt nature and sacred pilgrimage sites.
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FAQs
⛰️ Your guesthouse in Otaki
You'll stay in a traditional guesthouse with the other participants, set in the mountains of Nagano: simple, grounded and a real part of the community. In the garden there's a dog, a few chickens and a small vegetable patch that supplies herbs and vegetables for the daily meals.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (2–4 people) with beds and linen provided
• Shared bathrooms with hot showers and Western-style facilities
• No lockers/safe: bring a personal padlock or a money belt
• No air conditioning or central heating; the mountain climate means the nights are cool, even in summer
🍽️ Meals & daily life
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
• Home-style Japanese cooking, rice and vegetable based, fresh and seasonal
• Drinking water, tea and basic drinks always available
🤝 Common spaces & connection
• Common areas to meet other participants and people from the village
• Wi-Fi only in the common areas, a nice excuse to enjoy the nature and quiet of the valley
🧾 What's included
• Shared rooms (2–4 people)
• 3 meals on weekdays / 2 at weekends
• Drinking water and basic drinks
• Wi-Fi in the common areas
• Hot showers and Western-style bathrooms
• Laundry available on site
• Ongoing support from the local team
💛 More than just a stay
The guesthouse is a bridge to the Otaki community: you'll share moments of daily life and get a real feel for the rhythm of a Japanese mountain village.
You'll stay in a traditional guesthouse with the other participants, set in the mountains of Nagano: simple, grounded and a real part of the community. In the garden there's a dog, a few chickens and a small vegetable patch that supplies herbs and vegetables for the daily meals.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (2–4 people) with beds and linen provided
• Shared bathrooms with hot showers and Western-style facilities
• No lockers/safe: bring a personal padlock or a money belt
• No air conditioning or central heating; the mountain climate means the nights are cool, even in summer
🍽️ Meals & daily life
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
• Home-style Japanese cooking, rice and vegetable based, fresh and seasonal
• Drinking water, tea and basic drinks always available
🤝 Common spaces & connection
• Common areas to meet other participants and people from the village
• Wi-Fi only in the common areas, a nice excuse to enjoy the nature and quiet of the valley
🧾 What's included
• Shared rooms (2–4 people)
• 3 meals on weekdays / 2 at weekends
• Drinking water and basic drinks
• Wi-Fi in the common areas
• Hot showers and Western-style bathrooms
• Laundry available on site
• Ongoing support from the local team
💛 More than just a stay
The guesthouse is a bridge to the Otaki community: you'll share moments of daily life and get a real feel for the rhythm of a Japanese mountain village.
🛡️ Safety and support
In Japan calm is part of the package 🍃 All our programmes in Otaki are carefully selected and supervised, set in safe, reliable surroundings out in nature.
🔹 Background checks
Before you travel, every volunteer is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent). We'll send you the instructions: a simple but important step that builds trust between everyone involved.
🔹 High safety standards
• Accommodation run by experienced local staff
• Safe rooms in a quiet, welcoming village
• Activities in monitored, well-organised settings
• A rural setting away from traffic and big cities
🔹 Ongoing support
From your arrival to the end of the experience, the local team is always available for anything you need. Our UK team is also on hand by message for an extra layer of support 🌸
🔹 Briefing and orientation
On day one you'll join a dedicated orientation with practical pointers on health, safety and Japanese culture. A nice way to settle in, build a group and get a feel for life in a rural village.
🔹 A few sensible habits
✔ Always keep emergency numbers and the coordinators' contacts to hand
✔ Respect the local rules and follow the staff's pointers
✔ When you're in less familiar areas, head out with the group when you can
💡 Our aim
To give you a safe, well-cared-for and calm setting, so you can focus on what really matters: discovering a grounded side of Japan, growing and sharing time 🌸
In Japan calm is part of the package 🍃 All our programmes in Otaki are carefully selected and supervised, set in safe, reliable surroundings out in nature.
🔹 Background checks
Before you travel, every volunteer is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent). We'll send you the instructions: a simple but important step that builds trust between everyone involved.
🔹 High safety standards
• Accommodation run by experienced local staff
• Safe rooms in a quiet, welcoming village
• Activities in monitored, well-organised settings
• A rural setting away from traffic and big cities
🔹 Ongoing support
From your arrival to the end of the experience, the local team is always available for anything you need. Our UK team is also on hand by message for an extra layer of support 🌸
🔹 Briefing and orientation
On day one you'll join a dedicated orientation with practical pointers on health, safety and Japanese culture. A nice way to settle in, build a group and get a feel for life in a rural village.
🔹 A few sensible habits
✔ Always keep emergency numbers and the coordinators' contacts to hand
✔ Respect the local rules and follow the staff's pointers
✔ When you're in less familiar areas, head out with the group when you can
💡 Our aim
To give you a safe, well-cared-for and calm setting, so you can focus on what really matters: discovering a grounded side of Japan, growing and sharing time 🌸
🧭 Orientation day
In Otaki, your first Monday is all about orientation: a way to get to know Japanese culture, get familiar with the area and feel at home straight away 🇯🇵
Through the day, you'll join a series of activities led by the local team:
• Welcome meeting and an introduction to the programme and house rules
• Practical advice on health, safety and cultural etiquette in Japan
• A short session on Japanese culture and a few first words in Japanese
• Tour of the surrounding area, with practical info on shops, ATMs, the post office and key landmarks
• Help getting a local SIM card or, if you'd rather, the option to arrive already online via Airalo
Beyond getting to know the area, it's also a chance to meet the group, swap stories and curiosities, and let yourself be inspired by the local way of life 🌿
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll start the programme activities with the right mindset and all the info you need to get the most out of your time in Otaki.
In Otaki, your first Monday is all about orientation: a way to get to know Japanese culture, get familiar with the area and feel at home straight away 🇯🇵
Through the day, you'll join a series of activities led by the local team:
• Welcome meeting and an introduction to the programme and house rules
• Practical advice on health, safety and cultural etiquette in Japan
• A short session on Japanese culture and a few first words in Japanese
• Tour of the surrounding area, with practical info on shops, ATMs, the post office and key landmarks
• Help getting a local SIM card or, if you'd rather, the option to arrive already online via Airalo
Beyond getting to know the area, it's also a chance to meet the group, swap stories and curiosities, and let yourself be inspired by the local way of life 🌿
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll start the programme activities with the right mindset and all the info you need to get the most out of your time in Otaki.
✈️ Arrival and departure tips: Otaki, Nagano
For an easy start to your time in Japan, we'd recommend booking your flight into Tokyo Haneda (HND) or Tokyo Narita (NRT) on the Sunday morning, so you have time to reach the meeting point.
📍 Official meeting point
Shinjuku Bus Terminal, 4th floor (Information Desk).
⏰ Meeting time: Sunday at 16:00. One of our coordinators will be waiting with a sign with your name or with "The Green Lion" on it.
From there, with the other participants, you'll take the bus to Kiso-Fukushima, a journey of around 4 hours 30 minutes. On arrival the local team will meet you and take you on to the accommodation in Otaki (about 30 minutes by car).
🚍 Important
The bus leaves shortly after 16:00. If you arrive late you risk missing the connection and having to spend the night in Tokyo at your own expense. We'd strongly recommend planning your flight to give yourself plenty of time to get to Shinjuku (allow about 1–2 hours from your airport to the terminal).
💡 Transport costs
Train/bus from the airport to Shinjuku: from 720 yen (from Haneda).
Bus from Shinjuku to Kiso-Fukushima: included in the programme (you'll pay at the station and the team will refund you).
Transfer from Kiso-Fukushima to Otaki: included.
📱 Internet
We'd recommend picking up a local SIM at the airport or, even better, activating an eSIM before you travel through Airalo, so you're online from the moment you arrive.
🚖 Out-of-hours arrivals or different days
If you arrive on Saturday, we can arrange an early pickup with a small supplement and an extra night in Tokyo. Arrivals on days other than Sunday are not possible without prior arrangement. If you're running late, you'll need to make your own way to the accommodation (taxi or local trains, which can be expensive).
🛫 Departure and return flight
Check-out from the guesthouse is by 12:00 on the Saturday. The team will take you to the bus station in Kiso-Fukushima, where you can travel back to Tokyo (Shinjuku). From there you can take a bus or train to Haneda or Narita.
⏱️ Travel times to factor in
Otaki to Kiso-Fukushima: 30 min
Kiso-Fukushima to Shinjuku: 4–5 hours
Shinjuku to airport (Haneda/Narita): 1–2 hours
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday evening, so you have time to make the journey back without rushing.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll send you a detailed pack with: up-to-date practical instructions, emergency contacts, maps and step-by-step pointers for every leg of the journey. So you'll have everything ready and can travel without the stress.
For an easy start to your time in Japan, we'd recommend booking your flight into Tokyo Haneda (HND) or Tokyo Narita (NRT) on the Sunday morning, so you have time to reach the meeting point.
📍 Official meeting point
Shinjuku Bus Terminal, 4th floor (Information Desk).
⏰ Meeting time: Sunday at 16:00. One of our coordinators will be waiting with a sign with your name or with "The Green Lion" on it.
From there, with the other participants, you'll take the bus to Kiso-Fukushima, a journey of around 4 hours 30 minutes. On arrival the local team will meet you and take you on to the accommodation in Otaki (about 30 minutes by car).
🚍 Important
The bus leaves shortly after 16:00. If you arrive late you risk missing the connection and having to spend the night in Tokyo at your own expense. We'd strongly recommend planning your flight to give yourself plenty of time to get to Shinjuku (allow about 1–2 hours from your airport to the terminal).
💡 Transport costs
Train/bus from the airport to Shinjuku: from 720 yen (from Haneda).
Bus from Shinjuku to Kiso-Fukushima: included in the programme (you'll pay at the station and the team will refund you).
Transfer from Kiso-Fukushima to Otaki: included.
📱 Internet
We'd recommend picking up a local SIM at the airport or, even better, activating an eSIM before you travel through Airalo, so you're online from the moment you arrive.
🚖 Out-of-hours arrivals or different days
If you arrive on Saturday, we can arrange an early pickup with a small supplement and an extra night in Tokyo. Arrivals on days other than Sunday are not possible without prior arrangement. If you're running late, you'll need to make your own way to the accommodation (taxi or local trains, which can be expensive).
🛫 Departure and return flight
Check-out from the guesthouse is by 12:00 on the Saturday. The team will take you to the bus station in Kiso-Fukushima, where you can travel back to Tokyo (Shinjuku). From there you can take a bus or train to Haneda or Narita.
⏱️ Travel times to factor in
Otaki to Kiso-Fukushima: 30 min
Kiso-Fukushima to Shinjuku: 4–5 hours
Shinjuku to airport (Haneda/Narita): 1–2 hours
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday evening, so you have time to make the journey back without rushing.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed
We'll send you a detailed pack with: up-to-date practical instructions, emergency contacts, maps and step-by-step pointers for every leg of the journey. So you'll have everything ready and can travel without the stress.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
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