Volunteer with Us 🍵
Experience organic Japanese tea culture firsthand on our family-run farm in the mountains of Shizuoka.
About the Program
Naturalitea is a certified-organic tea farm in Fujieda, Shizuoka, operated by the Kinezuka family. Our volunteer program offers tea enthusiasts the chance to experience Japanese tea culture firsthand — from planting and harvesting to processing and packaging.
The work varies by season and the farm's needs at any given moment. However, the majority of your time — especially outside of harvest windows — will be spent weeding. Weeding is the single most important task in organic farming; without herbicides, it is constant, physical, and essential to the health of the tea. Please come prepared for this reality. Beyond weeding, you may help in the sencha factory, harvest with the team, or assist with composting. Depending on your skills and interests, you may also have the opportunity to start your own project.
This is the countryside. Life here is simple, the work is physical, and the pace follows the seasons. If you have a genuine interest in tea and are comfortable with that kind of environment, we'd love to have you.
2026 Availability
Applications are closed for the 2026 season.
2027 applications open in January 2027. We are unable to respond to inquiries about 2027 before then.
Work Schedule
Monday through Saturday, typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sundays are days off, though rainy days may occasionally substitute. No Japanese language ability is required, although we're always happy to exchange languages.
Summer hours (June – August): Due to the heat, summer work hours shift to 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM on hot days and 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on cooler days
Arrival & departure: Please arrive on a Sunday or Monday and depart on a Saturday or Sunday.
Long-term stays are welcome within the available session dates. We are ideally looking for stays with a two week minimum.
Tea Farming Calendar
The work changes with the seasons. Here is what to expect throughout the year:
🌱 Spring — April to May
- Weeding
- Kabuse — covering tea trees in early April
- Harvesting (mid-April through early May)
- Factory processing (cleaning and maintaining machinery)
☀️ Summer — June to August
Hours: 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM on hot days
- Weeding — this will be your primary task. The most important work in organic farming.
- Second harvest, including black tea, and factory cleaning (mid-June to early July)
🍂 Fall — September through October
- Weeding
- Autumn harvest (mid-October)
- Factory processing and cleaning
❄️ Winter — November to March
The farm is closed to volunteers during winter.
See the Farm
Want to know what life here actually looks like? Watch this video from a past volunteer to get a feel for the farm, the work, and the surroundings.
Accommodation & Meals
Fee
A one-time fee of ¥3,000 per person (total, not per day), paid on arrival.
Lodging
Rooms are dormitory-style (separated by gender). You will sleep on traditional tatami with futons, pillows, and blankets provided. The house is old and charming — there is no air conditioning or heating, and the toilet is in a separate room. This is the countryside, so expect insects both indoors and in the tea fields. Ticks are present in the fields — please wear long sleeves, long pants, and long socks while working, and check yourself after fieldwork.
Shared Living
The volunteer house is a shared space. Depending on the time of year, you may be living with up to 8 or 9 other volunteers at the same time. During peak harvest season — roughly late April through June — the house is at its fullest. Earlier and later in the season, the group is usually smaller, but there will almost always be other people around.
Rooms are communal and separated by gender. Please be considerate of the people you are living with — keep shared spaces clean, respect quiet hours in the evening, and be mindful of personal space. This is a small house in the countryside, not a hotel. The people who enjoy it most are those who are comfortable with close community living.
Meals
On workdays, freshly cooked Japanese lunch and dinner are provided. Meals are primarily vegetable-based, with meat or fish served occasionally. Our tea is always free to drink.
Breakfast and meals on days off are self-prepared. Please purchase your own ingredients. If you drink coffee, please bring your own — we don't have a coffee maker.
Dietary restrictions: We are happy to accommodate most dietary needs — just let us know in advance. However, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate complete wheat or gluten-free diets, as wheat-based seasonings are used in most of our cooking. We are also unable to prepare separate meat dishes for each meal, so we ask that meat-only eaters consider whether this program is a good fit. We may not be able to accept applicants with extensive allergies, as we want to ensure everyone's safety and comfort.
Housekeeping
Please do not waste food — every meal is prepared with care. If you cannot finish something, offer it to someone else before you begin eating. On your departure day, please clean your room and wash and hang-dry your sheets, futon cover, pillowcase, and blanket, and air out your futon outside. If you are unable to do this, a ¥2,000 cleaning fee will apply.
Important Guidelines
To protect the quality of our tea and ensure a smooth experience for everyone:
- No perfume, cologne, or strong scents during your stay — fragrances can affect the tea. Guests with strong scents will not be permitted to stay.
- No makeup on workdays (days off are fine).
- No earrings, jewelry, or accessories during harvest or inside the factory, to prevent accidental contamination.
- Visa: Please arrange your own visa before arrival. We recommend a tourist visa. We are unable to assist with visa applications.
- Insurance: Please purchase overseas travel insurance in advance. We do not provide medications due to allergy concerns — please bring your own.
- Please understand that we cannot accommodate every individual need. If you require anything extra, please come prepared.
What to Bring
- Rain jacket and rain pants
- Long-sleeve shirts
- Long pants
- Working gloves
- Hiking boots or sturdy sneakers, waterproof/ rain boots are ideal
- Long socks
- Sun hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Bath towel
- Earbuds or noise cancelling headphones
- Medications (cold, stomach, headache, insect bites)
- Overseas travel insurance
- Indoor slippers (if needed)
- Hand towel (if you'd like to use one after washing your hands. There are no shared hand towels in the restroom）
Getting Here
The farm is located near Fujieda City, about 30 minutes from Shizuoka City. Take the bus from Fujieda Station to the Nakayama bus stop.
Weekday arrivals: Depart Fujieda Station at 17:38, arrive Nakayama at 18:04.
Weekends & holidays: Depart Fujieda Station at 16:40, arrive Nakayama at 17:01.
We will drop you off at the Nakayama bus stop on your last day to catch the 9:30 AM bus to Fujieda Station.
Bus times on Google Maps may differ from the actual schedule. We will send you the confirmed timetable after your booking is finalized.
Life in Shizuoka
This is a rare opportunity to experience a side of Japan that few visitors see. Life on the farm follows a slower rhythm — early mornings, physical work, and quiet evenings in the mountains.
On your days off, Fujieda and nearby Shizuoka City offer plenty to explore: local restaurants and cafes, pottery classes, festivals, and traditional woodworking. The surrounding mountains are ideal for hiking, running, and cycling — we are happy to share our favorite trails.
Climate
March and early April are cold at night — bring a warm jacket. July through mid-September is hot. From October onward, evenings turn cold again. Check Shizuoka climate averages to plan accordingly.
Who We're Looking For
Above all, we want people who are genuinely interested in tea. If tea doesn't excite you, your time here probably won't be very interesting.
Beyond that, the people who thrive here tend to be positive, hardworking, resourceful, and respectful of Japanese culture and values. A passion for the environment and organic farming is a plus. Most volunteers come alone, and we find that solo participants tend to build the deepest connections with the farm and the family.
