Help with everyday work at Buddhist temple lodging

Higher chance of approval: This host has recently approved volunteers and is looking for more applications.
Connect with international travelers: 44 travelers recommend this host to meet travelers from all around the world
Immerse yourself in the local culture: 43 travelers recommend this host for those looking for a local cultural immersion
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

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What you offer

25h

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

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Kitchen Hand: Help prepare, finish and serve meals.

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.

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

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.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet 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 Restaurants: Get discounts at nearby restaurants.

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

Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!

Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!

Free Events: Get free entrance for the best events in town.

Yoga classes: Take free yoga classes at our place.

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

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

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

Stay up to: 12 weeks

The Experience

We are seeking live-in help for at our temple. BE SURE TO FULLY READ the descriptions and volunteer reviews before contacting us. Tasks include aspects of the hospitality including cleaning toilets and bathrooms, room-making, customer service, kitchen help, washing dishes, etc. English is a must, but Japanese is not required. As all live-in staff eat together, we cannot cater to vegetarians, vegans, etc.

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Requirements

Beginner Japanese or Intermediate English
Between 18 and 40 years old
Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

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?

+32

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52 Reviews

4.5

Host & Team

4.5

Hours & Tasks

4.0

Buddhist Temple Lodging Shukubo

4.5

Learning & Fun

4.5

How this experience will transform you

44 Meeting international travelers
43 Immersing in the local culture
41 Get in touch with nature
39 Meeting locals
20 Practicing English
12 Developing social awareness

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

19 3. Good health and well-being
13 11. Sustainable cities and communities
7 12. Responsible consumption and production

Harry

United Kingdom

The host was good to me :) It is a place to become part of a family. Three communal meals, working side by side and having so much time in the day to explore together makes for a beautifully social experience. Compound this with the relative seclusion of Minobu and you'll end up forming bonds with everybody there. Having or being willing to learn some Japanese will go a long way as it opens the door to friendships in the community and with local staff. I was sorry to leave early but would happily have my time again.

8 days ago

Ids

Netherlands

The host was like second home for me. The staff is super friendly and Junko-san and her family are super welcoming. The work can be high pace sometimes, but I found it to be quite satisfying. Even more so if you have a nice world packers group, it's one of the best times I've had. I've made friends I want to stay in contact with, so I highly recommend!

about 1 month ago

Junko replied

Thank you Ids! You are a good volunteer so thank you for the hard work! Please come again sometime.

Baylee

United States

My time at the host was so wonderful. Truly a once in a lifetime experience. Delicious meals cooked by the lovely Japanese staff, amazing cultural experiences, many opportunities to connect with nature and spirituality if you choose. Junko-san is dedicated to helping the small town of Minobu thrive and promoting foreigners to learn about local agriculture and customs. I was proud to be a part of such great work! Be prepared to work hard and the volunteer dorms are a work in progress but can be quite cozy.

about 1 month ago

Junko replied

Thank you Baylee for coming! We are glad you were able to enjoy some tours while you were here!

Alex

Italy

Really great experience. You can immerse yourself in a quiet japan, far from cities' caos. 100% recommended

about 1 month ago

Gabriele

Italy

Describing such a unique and unrepeatable experience is truly challenging, and putting into words how grateful I feel to Junko-san and the entire staff of the host is anything but easy. They gave me the opportunity to live a month I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Their kindness, courtesy, and helpfulness will forever remain unforgettable memories in my heart. I can't help but recommend this experience to anyone who wishes to meet such wonderful people and fall in love with an hidden corner of Japan, a magical place where one can reconnect with nature and with others.

3 months ago

Junko replied

Thank you Gabriele! We are glad you had a great experience. You are welcome back anytime. You are a very kind person and we enjoyed your company. Good luck with your studies!

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About the host

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Hosted by Junko

Response Rate: This host usually answers to 60% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in 2 days
1 published videos: This host has 1 published videos showing a little bit about their place

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