Help with everyday work at Buddhist temple lodging

Australia

5

I had an amazing experience here. I knew coming into this I wanted a month to unwind, relax, meeting other foreigners and learn about Japanese culture. I am very grateful as I was able to do all these things. Although I was here at a quite time of the year I heard it can be different when it's busier season. It is a very quite town with hikes and temples all around but there is not much to do otherwise if you are not into those things. So if you are looking for partying and lots of things to do I wouldn't recommend this place. For me it was perfect. I am very appreciative for my time here.

over 1 year ago

Junko replied

色々ありがとう。至らない点がたくさんあった事お詫びします。

United States

5

To start with the bad: during busy season you'll be expected to have a “Japanese work ethic” where you work too much with not enough time off. This, and communication as a whole, needs some improvement, especially for volunteers. That said…I really enjoyed my time here. The work was fun. The provided food was always delicious, everyone eats together at “family dinner” whether that's at 7pm or 9pm. There was also plenty of other foreigners to befriend and learn things from. Minobusan is a very pretty and quiet area, but it's also small with not much to do. Party people wont enjoy it here.

over 1 year ago

Junko replied

色々ありがとう。私たちも、ワーカーを受け入れ始めて経験不足なことと、あまりにも文化の違いに困惑していました。

Mexico

5

It was an amazing experience!✨️ I learned a lot, and I was able to make a lot of friends. The people in Kakurimo are really beautiful and nice, they will make you feel part of a family, I'm really grateful whith everyone here. The job is easy to understand, sometimes it is a little busy and we all have to help, but the staff with more experience will guide you to make a good job. Be patient and do your best ✨️🥳 For Junko San and Zeko San, thank you for teaching me about your beautiful house, your amazing work and family, and the community that you have created, I'm really grateful 💕✨️

over 1 year ago

Junko replied

本当にありがとう。一緒に旅をした思い出は忘れません。
楽しかったよ。ありがとう。

France

5

This experience was truly amazing, one if not my best experience in Japan, I met many people during my stay here and got to enjoy numerous cultural experiences, I'm really grateful to junko-san and all the staff that I met there for all those precious moments I will cherish this experience for long Thank you again 🙏🏻❤️

over 1 year ago

Junko replied

色々ありがとう。文化の違いで疲れたと思います。お疲れ様。

Mexico

5

The host is the kind of place you can feel like home, everyone is really kind, open to talk and help. I met so many people from different countries, people who I'm going to keep talking and that is more than I was looking for. I 'm lucky to have met them. My time with them was good, I enjoyed the mountains, the view, the temples and peace from Minobu (even with all the monkeys). I would like to say more than thank you, but I'm sure they know how much I'll miss them. See you soon.

over 1 year ago

Junko replied

本当にありがとう。たくさんのSNS投稿も感謝しています。

United States

4

From the beginning, I experienced a warm and earnest welcome. The sense of family fostered through meal sharing and communal living made for a seamless integration. The cozy accommodation, nestled in the mountainside of Minobu, is perfect for nature enthusiasts. Tasks are straightforward, with willing support from fellow volunteers and Japanese staff. Occasional participation in tourism promotional events provides unique insight into local culture. While communication could improve, expectations are largely clear. Overall, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to volunteer at the host.

9 months ago

Germany

4

What a lovely experience to immerse into Japanese countryside culture! Very authentic, nice Japanese stuff & also the food was always great and felt like family dinner (: Thank you for letting me help in the café, it really helped my to improve my Japanese language skills!

11 months ago

Taiwan

4

The property is beautiful, the tasks are doable, and the town is lovely, highly recommended to someone who's calm and wants to explore Japanese mountains and local religions. We lived in a big house with quite many people (like a family though) and Junko san was very busy everyday, thus you might need to spend more time on communication & seeking for a communication. Everyone was very open-minded and respectful, I enjoyed my time there. PLUS, THEY HAVE A CAT!

11 months ago

Junko replied

色々な仕事を助けて頂いてありがとう！
本当に助かりました。
気を付けて旅を続けてね！

United States

4

My time at the host gave me exactly what I was looking for: hard work, a connection with nature, and a peaceful environment to focus on myself. The nature in Minobusan is beautiful. If you're looking to hike, walk, and bike then this might be the place for you. A few things that differed from what I expected: the host is more like a traditional Japanese stay than a the host. The hotel has a the host inside, but there are no monks that live on the property and it felt to me just like working in a hotel. We were also expected to contribute outside of working hours by cooking, cleaning, etc.

12 months ago

Junko replied

色々ありがとう。お寺という家族経営の宿泊施設なので、大変なことも多かったと思いますが、頑張ってくれて感謝しています。

United Kingdom

4

I really enjoyed my time at the host, such a beautiful site in the most gorgeous, peaceful town of Minobu. The nature is incredibly beautiful and a constant highlight In terms of the work, it is not too challenging (although this very much depends on how busy it is). It is not uncommon during busy times that you are asked to help out, even if you are not technically working at that time. This is not problematic really, you are never asked too much, but future workers should have an awareness of the expectation that they ought to be consistently helpful, proactive and respectful.

about 1 year ago

Junko replied

色々ありがとう。忙しいから皆さんの助けが必要です。大変なことも多かったと思うけど、頑張ってくれてありがとう。

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