Job Discussion Forums

Gus3 · Joined: 18 May 2011 Posts: 28

I'm an American college graduate currently trying to find a job in Japan. I recently found out about WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms). From what I understand its basically volunteer work at places like organic farms around the world, including Japan. There's no pay, but free room and board for a few hours of work daily seems to be the norm.

There were a couple of other threads on this, but they didn't have much information. Has anyone here ever tried WWOOF-ing in Japan? I'd like to know your thoughts on the experience. Also, do the hosts sometimes sponsor visas? I want to know if I'll be able to do this for more than the three months that the landing permit permits.

I'm thinking about using this to get my foot in the door. Work for a host and use my time off to try to find a more permanent paying job. Anyone think this sounds like a viable option?

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The membership isn�t that expensive. You might consider buying a membership so you can look over the listings. Seeing what�s actually offered and what�s expected work hours wise might help you better form your plans.

I don�t know of any WWOOF listings that sponsor visas. The nature of the program is volunteer work in trade for food and lodging. I do recall one or two listings with restaurant/ekaiwa type jobs offering a small living stipend. Still, you�d be on either a tourist visa, or at best a working holiday visa.

Another issue you�ll probably have to deal with is location. Job searching often means being around or able to get to places with jobs. Rural Japan is not brimming with English teaching positions. Nor is it easy or cheap to get out of town. I�m not saying it couldn�t be done, just be sure to look at a map and consult hyperdia.com before making any plans. I�m not sure if you�d save any money over simply crashing at a gaijin house in an urban area and pounding the pavement.

Read up on work visas before and make sure you bring the necessary paperwork and a suit.

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Rooster_2006 · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 984

Yeah, to be honest, 36 hours a week seems like a bit too much for just room and board. Personally, I'd say 20 hours a week for room and board would a fairer exchange.

I mean, seriously, do the math:
36 hours a week * 4.3 weeks in a month * Japanese minimum wage (~750 yen an hour) = 116,100 yen that they save by using a volunteer instead of a paid worker

So...either that's some really nice room and board, or you're getting gypped if you're doing 36 hours a week for a WWOOF host. Seriously.

The WWOOF Japan Web site states that it's usually about 36 hours a week, but I can't help but wonder whether individual hosts actually require their WWOOFers to work that much. My guess is that most hosts are more reasonable.

rich45 · Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 127

I did WWOOFing in New Zealand when I was a backpacker. Two hours a day over there!

But honestly, 36 hours is ridiculous!

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Ruuchan · Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Posts: 10

I did volunteer work on farms through WWOOF during my years living and working in Japan, and I found it to be an incredible experience! I met interesting people from all over the world (some of whom I'm still in contact with many years later), learned a lot about organic farming practices, took part in local festivals and social events, and got ample opportunities to practice my Japanese. I loved it and would recommend the experience to anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to see a side of Japanese life outside of the eikaiwa bubble that so many of us end up in!

However, I wouldn't recommend it as a stepping stone to getting a job, since the locations are usually fairly remote and this would make it very challenging to find an English teaching position (especially if you want to work in the city!)

For me, it was an experience that enriched my life tremendously once I had already attained employment and was settled in to life in Japan. I wish you the best of luck whatever you decide to do!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I really don't see any sense in complaining about having a full-time schedule on WWOOF. Here are my reasons.

1. You know going in how many hours you will work, right? Take it or don't apply, is my feeling.

2. I may be wrong, but I think most WWOOF work is done in rural areas, perhaps even mostly on farms. What else would one imagine that could be done out in the sticks as a volunteer that would take a short period of time?

3. Using 116,000 yen/month as a savings to the WWOOF host is not a clear way of putting it. Yeah, he is saving that in wages, but how about room and board? He is the one forking that out. If you take a low average of 50,000 yen/month for rent, add in utilities (low end 7,000 yen), and then slap on a food budget of 30,000-40,000 (maybe even more), you're talking about almost 80,000 in some cases. So, 116,000-80,000 is still saving the farmer/host 36,000, but there are also incidental costs of transportation, laundry, etc. As far as I can figure it, the host breaks even roughly. And, even if he doesn't, the whole idea is that he has to contend with volunteers that probably don't speak the best Japanese, so it's no picnic for him, either.

4. Think of people who volunteer to help after disaster situations like hurricanes or tsunamis. I'm sure they don't complain about the amount of time they spend helping others for free, do they?