How Can I Get Accommodation for Free in Japan?
On this page you will find out about WWOOF, a system that offers you a free place to stay!
What is WWOOF?
WWOOF stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, so the hosts run organic farms. Hosts provide not only a place to stay, but also three meals a day, up to six hours of help a day and a day off once a week.
The platform is membership-based, so you must first register and pay an annual fee (5,500JPY).
People tend to think that Japan is a safe country and that its food is safe too, but Japan uses far more food additives than other countries in the world.
A wide variety of inexpensive retort-packed and frozen foods are available in convenience stores and supermarkets, making it easy to eat good food. However, these ingredients contain a variety of food additives.
If you are concerned about that, you can find farmers on WWoof who use organic ingredients.
https://www.wwoofjapan.com/home/index.php?lang=en
Here is a quote from the WWOOF page,
WWOOF is a means to make new friends, and exchange ideas and learning with them.
Hosts give WWOOFers meals, a place to sleep, and social engagement, in return for WWOOFers helping hosts with the activities they undertake at their place.It’s simple. You give what you have, and you receive what you don’t have.
There is no money paid between hosts and WWOOFers.
Both hosts and WWOOFers endeavor to support each other, like friends and extended family do.How to start
Follow the links on our website to Become a WWOOFer.General information about WWOOF ——-
— The meaning of WWOOF:
WWOOF is an acronym for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.— About Hosts:
Many hosts are organic farmers, as well as organic food shops, farm cafes, farm inns, nature guides, environmental education centers, pottery and arts people, timber working places, and more.
Hosts give meals, a place to sleep, and social engagement to WWOOFers.— About WWOOFers:
WWOOFers are learning about life in Japan. WWOOFers help host with what they do at their place, usually for up to 6 hours a day, for up to 6 days a week.— Going WWOOFing:
WWOOFing is about travel and adventure, making new friends, helping and receiving help, and learning in the process.
Note: Don’t mistake WWOOF for “work”. If you inadvertently talk about “work” in relation to your WWOOFing, Japan immigration authorities may deem you to be potentially an illegal immigrant coming to Japan for the purpose of work, and on that basis deny you entry into Japan.— No money paid between hosts & WWOOFers:
Hosts and WWOOFers do not pay each other. WWOOF is a non-monetary exchange.— Members only:
All people for whom hosts are contacted must be current members of WWOOF Japan before hosts are contacted. Send an application and payment to join, or renew your membership, on our website,— Conditions:
WWOOFers must be willing to participate in the activities that hosts do at their place, in return for the meals, a place to sleep, and social engagement that hosts give them. WWOOFers must be interested in learning from and with hosts. WWOOFers must read the WWOOF Japan website, and agree to abide by WWOOF rules.Children 15 or under can go WWOOFIng when accompanied by an adult who is a current member of WWOOF Japan. People WWOOFing alone must be 16 years of age and older. There is no maximum age limit.
