Help at our renovated hostel, based in a quiet seaside town!

Top Host: This host receives lots of worldpackers and has a high average rating, being recognized by the community as a Top Host.
Connect with nature: 20 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Connect with the locals: 18 travelers recommend this host to have close contact with locals

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What you offer

15h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

Housekeeping: Help with changing the bed linens and general housekeeping.

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What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Team Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other people.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Discounts on Drinks: Get discounts for drinks and beverages from our bar.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

Surfboards: You can use our surfboards as much as you want.

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

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Availability

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Stay at least: 4 weeks

The Experience

We run a small hostel & pub located in a town called Hiwasa, in South-Eastern Tokushima Prefecture. We are looking for volunteers to help us with cleaning and bed-making at the hostel. In return, we will provide free accommodation and 2 meals on your working days (breakfast, lunch), and insight into what it's like to live in rural Japan. We love cultural exchange, so let's share some stories with each other!

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Requirements

Over 20 years old
Only hosts solo volunteers (doesn’t accept couples or partners)

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

20 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Hostel

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

20 Get in touch with nature
18 Meeting locals
16 Meeting international travelers
16 Immersing in the local culture
5 Practicing English
5 Developing environmental awareness

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

12 11. Sustainable cities and communities
10 12. Responsible consumption and production
5 5. Gender equality
1 10. Reduced inequalities

Christy

France

Erika and Umi are the best hosts you could hope for, and made this experience unforgettable ! Their place is beautiful with a unique style, and Hiwasa is small but has everything you need. I stayed a month helping with both housekeeping and the renovations of their house. The cleaning is really easy, and helping Umi and his friends for the renovations was a lot of fun ! Plus you get rewarded with Erika's homemade cooking which is absolutely delicious :) If you're looking for a relaxing place where you instantly feel welcome, the hostel is perfect. Thank you so much for everything ♥︎

22 days ago

Sterre

Netherlands

I had such a great time at the hostel! The hosts, Erika and Umi, are the sweetest and they were very welcoming and kind despite being busy with the upcoming renovations at their house. The work is not very difficult and the tasks are clear -- and afterwards you will be rewarded with the tastiest home-cooked meals ever! Personally, I never ran out of things to do in Hiwasa and it was a lot of fun to explore the area and the town. By the end of the month I was sad to leave... I'd love to be back at the hostel one day :) ! Thank you Erika and Umi !

about 1 month ago

Sergej

Netherlands

Erica and Umi are super lovely hosts. As my first time volunteering I was a bit skeptic but they made me feel welcomed and at ease. I would recommend this place if you are pro active, asking questions and are curious. There is not a whole lot to do in Hiwasa, making it difficult at times. Erica and Umi are more than willing to help, I was interested in soccer and I ended up playing three Fridays with the locals in town! The duties were very easy and good to do, I was happy with my stay and truly a life time memory. When I return to Hiwasa I would definitely return to the hostel!

2 months ago

Baudouin

France

Working at the hostel ended up being like working with friends. Umi and Erika are sweet and caring hosts with whom you can share a lot of laughters. The place is beautiful and located in a rural Japan where you can easily enjoy its natural beauty. Hiwasa has a lot to offer and the hostel is the perfect place to enjoy a slow lifestyle on your free time. The work is easy and doesn't take long, you have plenty of time to enjoy your hobbies, discover the surroundings, connect with the guests or to share stories with Erika and Umi ! I highly recommend this place. It feels like home !

3 months ago

Elija

Germany

The hostel is definitely the best voulenteering I've done so far. Erika-san and Umi-san are really lovely hosts. The work is easy, the area is super beautiful and there is a lot to explore around the city. The food is super delicious and you got 2 onsen and a river to swim. Thank you very much for welcoming me in your home :)

5 months ago

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About the host

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Hosted by ICHI

Top Host: This host receives a lot of worldpackers and has a high average rating.
Response Rate: This host usually answers to 20% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in 3 days

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