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Help Out, Stay Local – Real Exchange in the Heart of Osaka!

5.0
(11 reviews)11

The experience

We’re looking for energetic team members to primarily support our guesthouse and also some creative projects — running a small shop, assisting in our shared parenting house, and helping with pop-ups and rental spaces, etc.
If you have skills in photography, design, marketing, DIY, or child care, that’s a big plus!
In return, you’ll stay in the heart of Osaka, just a 5-minute walk from Dotonbori, where vibrant nightlife and local culture await.

What you offer

16 hours of help per week

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

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

What you get

2 days off per week

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

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

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

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

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

Requirements

Intermediate English or Beginner Japanese

Between 24 and 50 years old

Only hosts solo volunteers (doesn’t accept couples or partners)

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

This isn’t just a casual volunteering gig — it’s a real exchange where your help covers your stay.
You'll be making beds, doing laundry, cleaning the house, assisting with guest check-ins — and sometimes helping out with shopkeeping at our old folk house boutique.
By law, this is considered paid work offset by rent — so a valid working visa is required.

We expect:
- Punctuality, precision, and responsibility
- Respect for Japanese cleanliness and hospitality standards
- Willingness to learn — training will be provided as needed

In return, we offer:
- A cozy stay in a great location
- An authentic Japanese lifestyle experience
- A warm, diverse international team

If you're ready to join us with the right visa and mindset — welcome aboard!

P.S. We’re also growing new projects. Those who consistently show the qualities above may be offered paid positions beyond the work exchange — especially if you speak Japanese and plan to stay longer.
We’re quietly watching 👀 — so feel free to let us know your strengths!

Activities & Shift

Typically, you will have around 2-3 days off per week. However, days off may vary depending on reservations. Since weekends are our busiest times, we kindly ask for your availability on weekends.

Rules

We currently run on a shift system with 4-5 helpers.
Each person works about 4 hours a day, 4 days a week, rotating between two areas so far: the hostel and the shop.

Hostel AM shift: Freshen up the house after check-outs — laundry, bed-making, and cleaning with care ✨

Hostel PM shift: Welcome new adventurers — tidy up, prep the space, and greet arriving guests with a smile 🏡🌙

Shop shift: Be my magical helper — from tending the shop to helping with photos, updating our website or social media, or assisting with whatever the day brings while I’m away or brewing new ideas 🧙‍♀️📸💻

Of course, if you’re ever unwell or have something important, just let us know — we’re flexible and always happy to adjust 😊