Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture Launches 'Half-Farming, Half-X' Shared Housing Project with 'Otesutabi' and 'JA Satowa' – 'Naruto Kintoki Edition'

In line with the harvest season of 'Naruto Kintoki' sweet potatoes, participants from across Japan will gather to experience a two-week 'half-farming, half-X' lifestyle.

Four participants, including repeat visitors considering relocation and others inspired by the pandemic to explore rural living, will enjoy a friendly shared house experience while working alongside local farmers, engaging in harvest activities, and experiencing life in Naruto.

On the first day, city staff will provide a local tour, and full support will be offered throughout the stay, with a strong focus on promoting the city's unique charms.

Program Details

● Period & Working Hours

July 16 (Thu) – July 30 (Thu)

6:30 AM – 11:00 AM

● Work Content

Harvesting, transporting, and shipping Naruto Kintoki sweet potatoes

※ The 'Naruto Kintoki Edition' will accept participants in multiple sessions:

【Second Round】 August 18 (Tue) – September 1 (Tue)

【Third Round】 September 11 (Fri) – September 25 (Fri)

About the 'Half-Farming, Half-X' Shared Housing Project

This initiative promotes the 'half-farming, half-X' lifestyle as a relocation concept, using the Otesutabi platform to recruit participants nationwide for a two-week agricultural work experience in Naruto City.

The project has previously been held during the harvest seasons of 'Naruto Rakkyo', 'Naruto Kintoki', 'strawberries', and 'aoshu daikon', attracting 125 participants from across Japan. With an average application rate exceeding 5x, it has generated significant public interest.

About Otesutabi

Otesutabi Co., Ltd. is an emerging startup that operates a matching platform connecting young travelers who wish to work while traveling in rural areas with businesses facing labor shortages in agriculture, tourism, and other sectors.

The platform has over 100,000 registered users, many of whom are eager to engage with regional communities.

In Reiwa 6, it was nominated for the New Words and Buzzwords Awards, gaining widespread media attention as an innovative regional revitalization initiative.

Collaboration with Otesutabi

In July of Reiwa 6, Naruto City signed Japan's first municipal partnership agreement with Otesutabi Co., Ltd., collaborating to promote relocation and exchange, expand relational population, and address labor shortages.

Moving forward, the city plans to expand participation beyond agriculture into diverse sectors such as tourism. In October–November of Reiwa 6, the program was implemented at three resort hotels within the city.

Additionally, as part of the UIJ Internship program, placements were conducted in August of Reiwa 7 at welfare-related offices in healthcare, nursing, and childcare, and in March of Reiwa 8 at businesses involved in Japanese confectionery, food manufacturing, and seafood processing.