Escape Tokyo to harvest mandarins, dig footbaths, or learn how to run an inn.
Many people have dreams of where they would like to live, and it can sometimes be starkly different from the environment in which they have grown up, but there are few who truly decide to take the plunge. Trading the hustle and bustle of city life for a peaceful rural retreat sounds like an idyllic lifestyle, although it’s difficult to make that leap without trying it first. Kagoshima City has now partnered, though, with All Nippon Airways (ANA) and ANA Akindo (a company focused on airline sales and marketing, and regional revitalization) and created the perfect opportunity for you to do just that, launching a trial migration program designed to give participants a genuine taste of life in rural Japan.
▼ Scenery in the rural area of Yoshida
Targeted at young adults under 40 and families with children residing in major metropolitan areas like Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka, this initiative serves as a welcoming bridge to dual-region living. Whether you are an international resident exploring possible options beyond the major cities or you’re simply eager to experience authentic Japanese culture, this program connects you to local communities through hands-on activities, cultural immersion, and outdoor adventures.
You can choose from several tailored multi-day itineraries across two areas: Yoshida, which is focused on the countryside and family life, and Sakurajima, centered on volcano and island life.
The Parent-Child Discovery program in the tranquil Yoshida area lasts for three days and two nights, where groups or families of four people can experience rural living surrounded by hot springs and starry skies. They can also look forward to farm harvesting, local craft-making (such as making miso and woodworking), and visits to local schools.
▼ Harvesting vegetables
▼ Making miso
Applications for programs in Yoshida are being accepted from now until September 30 for stays starting between mid-October 2026 and mid-January 2027. Activity materials will cost 2,000 yen (US$12.70) per person, and participants are required to cover their own accommodation, food, and local transport costs.
Meanwhile, on the volcanic island of Sakurajima, prospective participants have the choice of four different programs to get involved in: Daily Life, Volcanic Activities, Seasonal Harvest Experience, and Guest House Open Bootcamp.
The Daily Life experience is for people looking to stay in local guest houses for at least four days, harvesting produce, cycling, and discovering what it’s like to live on a volcano that’s almost constantly smoking. Recruitment is from now through January 31 for stays between October 1 and February 28, with the total plan cost ranging from 6,600 yen to 23,100 yen per person, covering lodging and activities, although meals and local transport are extra.
▼ Harvesting giant Japanese radishes
The Volcanic Activities program lasts for at least four days, where participants can dive into nature with trekking, freediving, footbath digging, and pottery. Recruitment is from now to November 30 for stays between October 1 and December 24. The total cost for the program is 9,900-23,100 per person, covering both lodging and activities, whereas meals and local transport are extra.
▼ Freediving
▼ Digging a footbath
The Seasonal Harvest Experience allows you to work with local farmers for four or more days, picking famous Sakurajima mandarins and giant radishes. Applications are accepted between now and December 31 for stays between December 1 and January 31. The total costs are 13,200-19,800 yen per person, including the lodging and harvest activities, but meals and local transport are extra.
The final Guest House Open Bootcamp is targeted at prospective entrepreneurs who might be considering starting a business or managing guest houses on Sakurajima. Participants will spend three days learning how to revitalize abandoned and empty houses, repurposing them, giving them new life. The application period is from now to December 31 for a fixed stay period of February 21 to February 23. The total cost is between 36,600-43,200 per person, which includes the two-night stay plus a 30,000-yen seminar and networking fee, with meals and local transport extra.
▼ You can observe working guesthouses
For stays on Sakurajima, you’ll be spending the night at one of the local guest houses, depending on which program you’re on. Participants in all of the programs can stay at the Iko Terrace or Ulala Furusato.
▼ Iko Terrace
For the Guest House Open Bootcamp, there is one more option, Umino Terrace.
▼ Umino Terrace
While anyone joining the programs is expected to pay their own way there, they do receive some round-trip airfare support via ANA Sky Coins, equivalent to 20,000 yen in credit for flights from Tokyo and Nagoya, or 15,000 yen from Osaka. All you need to do is reserve your flights on the ANA website and apply the digital coins toward your fare, paying any remaining balance out-of-pocket.
For anyone interested in any of the programs, you just need to complete the free registration on ANA’s official portal site, with profile approval typically taking three to five business days. You will be expected to participate in the chosen local activities, and complete a post-trip feedback session with local staff to help shape future regional initiatives. However, they do give a warning that canceling after your participation is confirmed will incur a cancellation fee equivalent to the amount of ANA Sky Coins granted, so choose your dates carefully.
If you’re ready to see whether country living is your true calling, head over to the portal site and take the first step toward your Kagoshima adventure. Even if you don’t see yourself settling down there, the prefecture is filled with hidden gems that are definitely worth exploring.
Related: Application portal site
Source, images: PR Times
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