Can a small coastal town in Japan become a digital nomad hub?

Last fall, Otera Stay and the Japan Tourism Organization ran a pilot program in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama, inviting remote workers from around the world to live, work, and recharge inside a centuries-old Zen temple.

Here's what actually happened during the 10-day stay:

Morning meditation inside a historic temple

Hiking part of the Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage route once walked by emperors

Cooking local dishes like Mehari-zushi (rice balls wrapped in pickled mustard leaves)

Filleting a giant tuna inside the temple

Sweating it out in a riverside sauna surrounded by trees and flowing water

Working and sharing ideas in different coworking spaces across town

It gave everyone a rhythm you just don't get in big cities — quiet mornings, real conversations, and time to actually breathe.

Who Joined?

Programmers, e-commerce founders, marketers, creatives — people who wanted a deeper way to work and travel. Everyone came from different backgrounds, but they were all looking for the same thing: a reset, a quiet environment, a new rhythm.

What Participants Said

"I liked being able to stay inside the temple. Usually when you visit temples while traveling, you can't enter or you're limited."
— Ashley Couch

"I enjoyed the Zen meditation and learning about Zen Buddhist culture. It actually helped me contextualize the coding work I was doing. The quiet, serene atmosphere gave me peace while dealing with work stress."
— Louis Dang

"I liked the mix of meditation and sauna to relax, while also having time to work on business during the day. It was a good balance of relaxation, adventure, and productivity."
— Yishan Jiang

"I enjoyed living in the temple, exploring heritage sites like Nachi Falls, and joining activities like hiking and tuna cooking. The natural surroundings, peaceful work environment, and mindfulness sessions stood out for me."
— Asil Khan Deshmukh

Why Nachikatsuura Works for Remote Workers

It's not a big city — and that's exactly why it works. Nachikatsuura gives you slow mornings, nature everywhere, a calm environment to work, access to meaningful cultural experiences, and space to think and breathe. It's simple, quiet, and deeply refreshing.

We're Just Getting Started

We learned that stepping away from the noise makes a huge difference. People focused better, connected easier, and felt more rested. Nachikatsuura offered that naturally. No forcing, no schedule, just a place that supports the way you want to work.