English Page

 

 

Thank you for paying attention on this page. My name is Katsunori Kataoka, the owner of a farm in Mombetsu, Hokkaido. I've run this farm for over four decades. 

 

In 90's, I stopped increasing the number of the cows, and let them out daytime. As the result, taste and smell of milk turned surprisingly enriched. Not spending all the time in the cowshed, given artificial forage but hopping out and eating natural grass freely under the sun relieved the cows of lots of stress. 

 

 

To get over the death of my wife who literally had been my partner in all senses, I started to act as one of host families of WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) Japan in 2008. WWOOF is a worldwide movement linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultual and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchange.

 

I have received more than 400 volunteers for 11 years. Over 90% of them are from abroad. I had never been overseas until that time, so it was the first opportunity to me to hear other languages, to know other cultures, and to work with other nationalities. Their deep knowledge and insatiable passion inspired me so much.

 

And as the next step, I decided to open the camp site in the plot of my farm to welcom not only WWOOF members but anybody on earth.

To cover the short of its cost, please let me solicite contributions from you. 

 

 

 

 

The encounter with an Australian volunteer who traveled all over Japan for one year and half left me a deep impression. He had succeeded in net business and insisted he could earn minimum money to keep daily life whenever and wherever as long as PC and signal's beside. This kind of life style was very first to me, so I still can recall how I was astonished to hear his story at that time.

He got married an attractive Taiwanese lady whom he met at my farm!

This might be a reason he still helps me from anywhere on earth when my PC does not work well.

 

Wwoofers that visit my farm stay here for 1-2 weeks (someone more than 1 month) and help my work.

I do not impose them heavy duty. Feeding cows, milking, and small miscellaneous work for several hours a day, and several days a week. Three square daily meals cooked by all are taken together with lots of talk.

On the day off, I take them local Onsen or sightseeing. I hope all they have a good impression on my farm, Hokkaido, and Japan.

Many guests visit my farm repeatedly. For me, meeting again with them and learning from their new knowledge and philosophy is stimulating.

 

 

 

 

I open the camp site on a premises of my farm this summer.

Basically users are supposed to bring their own camping gears but rental service of Noridisk's newest model tents and relevant equiments is available. Bath is made from a drum can in which users should put water and boil himself by the firewood. Toilet is composting type. Electricity is by solar. I aim as much primitive style as possible.  

 

As a room for the guests to rest or mingle each other, I am planning to bring an old container then renovate it until next January. I beg you its cost by this crowd-funding notice. 

 

 

 

 

I will offer the guests husbandry experience like feeding or milking as well as I did to WWOOFERs in case they want it. And I'm planning to organize cycling and rafting tour for future. 

 

 

Now more than 90% of visitors to my farm are from abroad. This fact itself is appreciated, but I want more Japansese travellers to come here and make friends with other guests from all over the world.

To start a new business well, your kind cooperation is highly appreciated!