Join Us at Our Guest House in Japan! 🏯🌸

Spain

4

My experience was positive: the staff (especially the managers) were very kind, the work was easy, the food was great, and the location is beautiful. On the downside, there's little chance to practice Japanese, as you often work alone or with other volunteers. I also witnessed a serious situation involving a senior staff member and a volunteer, which wasn't handled well. That said, I'm grateful for how I was treated and believe the team works hard and deserves the best. I recommend the experience unless your main goal is to practice Japanese.

4 months ago

Peru

4

My experience at the hostel was good; the volunteers and staff make you feel comfortable. The tasks are simple, and if you have any questions, both the staff and volunteers are willing to help you. The work schedule allows you to explore Takayama. I give it a 4 out of 5 because the area for volunteers was newly set up and had some pending details, which have probably already been or will soon be fixed. Overall, it was a great experience.

4 months ago

Netherlands

4

The staff was incredibly kind and welcoming, and the onboarding program was well-structured, making it very clear what was expected of volunteers. The ryokan is surrounded by stunning nature, and the town itself is beautiful and full of charm. I had a great time and was able to make a lot of amazing friends! The only downsides were the large number of cameras, which felt a bit much, and the importance of knowing Japanese customs—otherwise, you might get scolded. But overall, a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to immerse themselves in Japanese culture!

4 months ago

Peru

4

Volunteering at the hostel was a good experience! The work was simple: cleaning rooms, bathrooms, and common areas. The best part was the people, I made amazing friends, and spending time with other volunteers made everything more enjoyable. However, the accommodation could have been better. It was very cold, I had no Wi-Fi for half my stay, and ongoing renovations made it hard to rest on my days off. Also, I wish the local staff had been friendlier. Despite these issues, I'm grateful for the friendships I made and the overall experience.

5 months ago

Canada

4

Great first WP experience! I got along well with several staff members. Ryutaro was especially considerate, going out of his way to help us with an unexpected situation that occurred after our stay. It was very much appreciated. The work hours were reasonable, and the tasks were clear and manageable, allowing for a good balance. The food was delicious, though we had to ask a few times for breakfast. The hostel follows a smart concept with several cameras, which may feel intimidating at first, but the management was open to discussing it and valued our feedback. Thank you, Takayama! 😊

6 months ago

Ryutaro replied

Thank your for your words, Victoria! We hope that we can see you and Max in the future and that you meet kind people like you on your new adventure!

Malaysia

4

It was my first volunteering experience. It was really good to met friendly host and friends around this small beautiful town.

6 months ago

Ryutaro replied

Hello, Susu!
Sorry for the late reply! It was nice to have you in our team and be able to have fun together every day (especially for Christmas and the New Year). You are a very hard-working person and we all could tell. Thank you for your hard work!

All the best!

Netherlands

4

Im happy this was my first working holiday experience as I had an amazing time in Takayama! I stayed here for about a month and there's enough to do in Takayama and around. The team is really nice (both Japanese and foreign) and I was there during the holidays so they introduced us to the local culture! The work is straightforward. Since I was there while it was busy there was a lot to do. Sometimes communication wasn't always clear so could lead to some frustration. But overall would really recommend it! Oh yeah and the food is really good🤗

7 months ago

Ryutaro replied

Hi, Sarah!
We hope you are doing well and that you are enjoying your adventure here in Japan. It was great to have you in our team (especially when you baked those Dutch biscuits!) and we are looking forward to seeing you again soon.

We wish you the best!

Mexico

5

It was a great experience! Everyone on the staff was so nice. I made great friends and had an amazing time. I'm so glad they welcomed me to help. I definitely recommend this volunteer opportunity and would love to come back again. The food they offer is soooo good! 👌🏻 As for the job, it mostly involves doing rooms and cleaning, but it's easy, and you have plenty of time to hang out or visit different places.

7 months ago

Ryutaro replied

Hi, Pepe.
Thank you for your kind words and apologies for the late reply! It was nice to have you working with us. We are happy to hear that you had a good experience in Takayama. Feel free to come visit us in the future!!

All the best with your adventure!

Germany

5

I had incredible 10 days in Takayama. The entire team is super kind and helpful. The work itself is easy and takes no more than four hours a day to complete. The food, prepared fresh every day, is absolutely amazing—even for vegetarians like me! Aside from work, there's plenty of time to explore Takayama and its surroundings. The team is always happy to offer recommendations on what to see and do. A big thank you to everyone for these experience!

8 months ago

Ryutaro replied

Appreciate the kind words Hannah!

It was a pleasure having you here to work and hang out with.
Always welcome back here any time.

All the best with the rest of your journey!

United Kingdom

4

I would definitely recommend this experience - Takayama and surrounding areas are a lovely place if you're willing to get amongst it, the work is reasonable, and you definitely have enough free time. The included meals were absolutely delicious, and the team and hostel guests are warm and friendly. As one of the first volunteers here, I think it will be easy to refine the experience for future travellers!

8 months ago

Ryutaro replied

Hi Tess,
Thanks for the honest review.

And special thanks for all the advice and feedback.
We will take this onboard to try to create a better experience for you guys.

So far we have arranged to have a monthly event in the irori to try cover all the volunteers at once.
The staff room has been made permanent and we apologize for how that went down in the end.

Thanks again for everything!

Apply Now