Vanguard Backpackers

Hi there! I have traveled around the world for 9 years and visited 102 countries so far. I returned to Japan in 2018 and started a backpacker's hostel and English class for Japanese locals in my house. The house is surrounded by mountains, including Michelin 3-star Mount Takao, and many small rivers, beautiful hot springs, and the Sagami lake. The river right next to my house is beautiful, and you can swim there in the summer. It is still an hour away from Japan's largest downtown Shinjuku(excluding 2 km to the nearest station Sagamiko)

My goal for our volunteers is that they can immerse themselves in local Japanese culture, build lasting relationships, and grow their skills. I look forward to seeing you :) 🙋 What I Need Help With I’d love your help with the following: - Maintaining the hostel (cleaning, housekeeping, organizing) - Teaching English to our local students. You don’t have to be from a native English-speaking country. What’s more important is that you speak clearly, slowly, and with patience. - Renovating the house (if you have skills or creative ideas!) 🕒 Work Details I ask that you try to contribute at least 4 hours per day, including cleaning, teaching, or renovation work, totaling 24 hours per week. You will have one day off each week. If I feel that you've worked more than what you're receiving, I’ll try to make it up to you—maybe with a meal out or a sightseeing trip. I want to be at least fair to you. 📚 Work hours vary depending on the day. We usually work from 10 a.m. until, at the latest 2 p.m. We also have English conversation time in the evenings, lasting between 60 to 180 minutes, depending on the day. 📚 Our English Class Style We don’t use fixed materials for our English lessons. I want to rely on your creativity to keep our students engaged. Please be encouraging and patient. Let students speak as much as possible—and avoid interrupting them. Also, avoid asking about personal or family matters unless they bring them up first. 🥊 Extra Activities I used to be a professional boxer, and I offer free boxing training in the mornings. You're welcome to join anytime! You can also use the gym equipment outside or yoga mats whenever you wish. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Community Life On occasion, we visit the local school and assist in after-school activities. We also run an English class for elderly Japanese locals once a month at the local library. I am very involved in the community and assist in many events throughout the year. If you're lucky, your time here might coincide with some of the community events e.g., Samurai festival, Halloween party, local flea markets, field days, school festivals, etc. We’re a small, close-knit community, and we try to do what’s good for everyone here. 🍱 Food & Meals We cook lunch and dinner together, usually taking turns. I can cover your food costs. I do not eat breakfast, so if you would like to have breakfast, please prepare the ingredients and cook for yourself. 🛠️ 🛠️ What I’m Looking For I really need someone who can take initiative, especially for renovating the hostel or helping me think of ways to expand the business. If you want to experience local Japanese culture, enjoy teaching English and are interested in renovating…then this is the perfect place for you! 🙏 Final Notes Please be super friendly to our English students, guests, neighbors, and anyone you meet. If you don’t know what to do, just ask me. Try to find something to improve in the hostel. Keep showers short—gas is expensive here. Most of all, have a good time here—just as I probably did when I visited your country. If you ever have suggestions for how I can improve myself or the hostel, I would truly appreciate it.