Profile information
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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
23 Jul 2026
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Reply rate
81.3 %
Usually responds within 8 days
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Feedback
69
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Facebook verified
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Email verified
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Host offers payment
Badges (4)
Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks
Details
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Description
🌴 Enjoy Authentic Island Life in Beautiful Ojika Island, Japan! 🌊
Hi! My name is Taiyo, and I live on the beautiful island of Ojika in Nagasaki with my wife and our five children.
Ojika is a peaceful island with a population of around 2,000 people, located about 3 hours by ferry from Sasebo and 5 hours from Fukuoka.
The island is famous for its crystal-clear beaches, beautiful countryside, fresh seafood, traditional Japanese culture, and warm local community.
If you're looking for a truly authentic Japanese experience away from the crowds, Ojika is a wonderful place to live.
🏠 About Us
Our family runs several local businesses on Ojika Island.
These include:
• Traditional Japanese Inn (Ryokan)
• Guesthouse
• Karaoke Bar (Melody Box)
• Fitness Gym
• Rental Car Service
• Rental Bicycle Service
• Coin Laundry
We also participate in community projects and operate local cat rescue activities.
Every day is different, and we enjoy sharing our island lifestyle with people from around the world.
🌎 Who We're Looking For
We are looking for friendly, positive, responsible, and independent people who would like to experience real island life while helping us with our daily operations.
No special experience is required.
A positive attitude, flexibility, and willingness to help are much more important.
This opportunity is available for solo Workawayers only.
🚨 Immediate Opening – Starting August 16
We are currently looking for one reliable and friendly helper who can start from August 16.
This is an urgent opening for our family-run karaoke bar, Melody Box.
Main responsibilities include:
• Welcoming customers
• Serving drinks and simple food
• Cleaning and organizing the bar
• Creating a fun and friendly atmosphere
• General support during evening business hours
Because many of our customers are local Japanese residents, helpers who can communicate in Japanese are preferred. Even basic conversational Japanese is a great advantage.
The minimum stay for this position is 3 weeks, and longer stays are always welcome.
If you enjoy meeting local people, making new friends, and experiencing authentic Japanese island nightlife, we'd love to hear from you!
🌴 Opportunities from September
From September onward, we are also recruiting new helpers for Shimayado Goen (our inn and guesthouse).
Depending on the season, you may help with:
• Hospitality
• Tourism
• Photography & videography
• Social media
• Guest services
• Cleaning
• Rental cars
• Rental bicycles
• Community projects
• Cat rescue activities
If you are looking for a longer cultural exchange experience in rural Japan, we would love to welcome you to our team.
🧹 Tasks You Might Help With
Depending on the season, weather, and your interests, you may help with:
• Cleaning guest rooms and common areas
• Preparing and serving meals
• Washing dishes and kitchen support
• Photography & video creation
• Instagram, Facebook & blog updates
• Gardening
• Weeding
• Simple farming
• Minor DIY and renovation projects
• Bicycle maintenance
• Assisting at our karaoke bar
• Helping with our fitness gym
• Supporting our coin laundry
• General errands around the inn
• Helping with our rental car and bicycle business
• Supporting our cat rescue activities
Every day is a little different, which makes the experience enjoyable and varied.
🐱 Cat Rescue Activities
One of the things we care most about is helping abandoned and stray cats.
Animal lovers are especially welcome.
Depending on the situation, you may have opportunities to:
• Feed rescued cats
• Clean cat areas
• Socialize shy cats
• Take photos and videos for adoption promotion
• Help with rescue projects
• Support local animal welfare activities
Many helpers tell us this becomes one of their favorite memories during their stay.
🏡 Accommodation
You'll stay in our comfortable Workawayer shared house.
Depending on availability, you'll have either a private room or a shared room.
Facilities include:
• Free Wi-Fi
• Washing machine
• Refrigerator
• Microwave
• Electric kettle
• Bicycle use
The shared house is located in a quiet residential neighborhood.
🏠 Shared House Contribution
Due to the recent increase in electricity, gas, and water costs throughout Japan, we kindly ask all helpers to contribute ¥100 per day toward utility expenses.
This small contribution helps us continue providing comfortable accommodation while keeping the program affordable for everyone.
Thank you very much for your understanding.
🍳 Staff Meal Plan
We prepare homemade staff meals every day at the inn.
If you would like to join our meal plan, the cost is ¥300 per day.
This includes:
🍳 Breakfast
🍱 Lunch
🍛 Dinner
Whether you eat one meal or all three meals, the cost remains ¥300 per day.
🔥 Shared House Rules
For everyone's safety, cooking with gas stoves or open flames is not permitted inside the shared house.
This rule helps prevent fire accidents.
The shared house provides:
• Refrigerator
• Microwave
• Electric kettle
There is also a supermarket within walking distance where you can buy instant noodles, bread, drinks, snacks, fresh food, and ready-made meals.
💰 Payment & Work Conditions
Hourly wage:
¥1,050 per hour
Working hours:
Approximately 5–7 hours per day
Usually 5 days per week
Minimum stay:
3 weeks
Longer stays are very welcome.
🛂 Visa Requirements
You must already hold a visa that legally allows employment in Japan.
Accepted visas include:
✔ Working Holiday Visa
✔ Student Visa (with permission to work part-time)
✔ Spouse Visa
✔ Permanent Resident Visa
✔ Long-Term Resident Visa
Unfortunately, tourist visas are not eligible due to Japanese labor regulations.
🌸 What You Can Learn
While staying with us, you'll have opportunities to:
• Practice Japanese every day
• Experience authentic island life
• Learn about Japanese hospitality
• See how a family business operates
• Learn about tourism management
• Experience rural entrepreneurship
• Join community activities
• Learn about animal welfare
Many former helpers say they experienced "the real Japan" while living on Ojika.
🌊 Enjoy Your Free Time
When you're not working, you can enjoy:
🎣 Fishing
🚲 Cycling
🏖 Swimming
🥾 Hiking
📷 Photography
🌅 Watching beautiful sunsets
🏝 Visiting quiet beaches
🐱 Spending time with rescued cats
☕ Relaxing at local cafés
🤝 Meeting local residents
Ojika is a peaceful place where life moves a little slower.
🚢 Access
From Fukuoka (Hakata Port)
Night Ferry
Departure: 11:45 PM
From Sasebo Port
Day Ferries
10:40 AM
5:00 PM
We'll pick you up at Ojika Port when you arrive.
💙 Why Our Helpers Love Ojika
Many of our previous helpers tell us that their time on Ojika became one of the most memorable experiences of their lives.
Some have even returned to visit us again years later.
Here, you're not just another helper—you become part of our family and our island community.
If you're looking for more than just a place to work, and want to build genuine friendships while experiencing authentic Japanese island life, we'd be delighted to welcome you.
🌈 Final Message
We hope your stay here becomes much more than simply a job.
Our goal is to create meaningful cultural exchange, lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and experiences that you'll carry with you long after you leave.
Whether you're interested in Japanese culture, hospitality, photography, nature, tourism, or animal rescue, we'd love to welcome you into our family and our island community.
Come and experience the peaceful rhythm of island life with us.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Enjoy Island Life 🏝✨ -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
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Interests
Videography
Pets -
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You can learn or develop your Japanese language skills by talking with locals or with our Japanese staff. You have the opportunity to meet the local Ojika residents and feel part of a small community in this unique countryside environment. You can learn about the running of the inn and guesthouse and get tips on starting and running your own business. Benefit from a happy and healthy lifestyle- biking, exploring, swimming, hiking, eating great food, meeting wonderful people and making lifelong memories.
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Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
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Help
We need you to help in the smooth running of our business, including:
-cleaning the rooms
-talking to the guests
-creating PR materials like videos and artwork
-helping with gardening and renovation -
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent -
Accommodation
We have a large Workaway-only share house located 10 minutes walk from the Inn. It has free WiFi, free use of the washing machine, Japanese-style house.
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What else ...
Whatever you want to do, gardening, fishing, cycling, swimming, take care of our cats and more things to do.
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A little more information
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Internet access
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Limited internet access
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We have pets
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We are smokers
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Can host families
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (60)
just given that quote might be all you need to know if you’re thinking about whether or not to come to Ojika Island, but of course there’s so much more to say.
Working and living here on Ojika Island has been pure bliss. You’re being treated as a dear friend, with kindness and … read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
just given that quote might be all you need to know if you’re thinking about whether or not to come to Ojika Island, but of course there’s so much more to say.
Working and living here on Ojika Island has been pure bliss. You’re being treated as a dear friend, with kindness and … read more
I would like to thank all the staff for being such wonderful, positive, … read more
Volunteers stay in a Japanese style house with tatami and futon about 1-2 minute walk from the guest accommodation, … read more
I stayed at the Guesthouse between December 1st and January 15th, it was my first workaway experience and I couldn’t dream of a better place ! Taiyo-san and all the people from the guesthouse and the karaoke (Ume-san, Tsukuru-san, An-chan, Mirai-san, Mama-san, Sayaka-san…) are very … read more
I spent 2.5 weeks here in January 2020, and wish I could have stayed another month or two!
Although I was the only workawayer at the inn for most of my time, I felt so welcomed and included by Taiyo-san, Mama-san and the other staff. The work is simple cleaning, and you can listen to … read more
I arrived on Ojika Island in the beginning of September and stayed two months.
I was worried two months would be too long to stay on this little Island but it turned out to not be enough, I would have stayed longer if it would have been possible (due to other plans I … read more
Host Taiyo-san is such a warm and genuine person who brightened every one of my days with his smile and quirky personality. He has spent time living abroad and also tour-guiding foreigners around Japan, and he knows exactly how to make things comfortable for volunteers from all over the world.
The … read more
It is a big pleasure to work at his island inn, since he and stuff and his familily is always in a good mood (with a big smile) and he's taking really good care of you.
The work is not very difficult or hard, especially when everybody is working together. And Taiyo-san … read more
Ojika island is an amazing place to be able to spend your free time. I was swimming everyday for the … read more
I spent one month on Ojika island and I had a great time. The job itself is easy and can go fast depending on how many people work the same day. Cleaning is not super exciting but if you come here, you already know that;) I enjoyed helping out during dinner time with serving … read more
I really dont know what else to say. All the other comments are so accurate and already describing everything. I can just say that I had a unique stay at this wonderful place.
Not only all the amazing travellers I met and will never forget, also the whole family (and yes, the staff is also … read more
Taiyo and his whole family is extremely welcoming and will go out of their way to make you feel at home. They even often organize some … read more
I fell in love with this beautiful island and its people. It was the best month I've had in Japan and doubt it can be beaten. This was my first workaway experience but I met many who said this was the No. 1 place they had worked at so far.
1. The work is light and fair, in the morning from 7.45am to … read more
The island is small but I've never felt lonely and I met people who became my lifelong friends (or at least that's what I hope for). I stayed there for 6 weeks and experienced so many things... We met locals, tried to communicate in Japanese, we went to a … read more
The rythm of work is very chill, and we got an entire afternoon to explore the island thanks to the e-bike (electric bike), or … read more
I can only recommend at 1000% this Workaway!
1) Ojika is a small island, but so beautiful!! I enjoyed cycling everyday around the island and always discovered new beaches, temples, trees etc...
2) Nice and organised work: we had to do the … read more
1) The food was excellent (sashimi everyday … read more
It would be enough to say that it was such a good experience that I decided to stay one more extra-week at the end, but I would like to go into more detail.
On the basics of the work, we helped Taiyo run his Island Inn smoothly, in the morning by … read more
I’ll never forget this time in my life
I had such beautiful moments
Ojika is very unique place, and they is so many different way to enjoy it
By riding bicycle all around the island, crossing small villages and country side, going to the beach, looking at the sun rise and sun set, visiting temples, going to the … read more
Taiyo-san is a kind and generous person, his family is lovely, the other Workawayers were … read more
The work is quite fun as well and there is a lot of free time to do whatever in the afternoon!
Taiyo-san, I think you are really talented in seeing new … read more
Ojika Island is a wonderful place, and Taiyo-san is a great host! Super friendly, and his family is really warm and kind.
The island itself is amazing, and you can cycle everywhere pretty quickly! It has some gorgeous beaches, which even in late March are good for swimming in if you’re brave, and the water is … read more
Ojika is a … read more
So what do we have:
Best boss ever? check
Best cheff ever? check
Best workmates? check
Best landscapes? check (like guys everything is so beautiful in this island and you can cycle to any point of the island!)
Best locals? CHECK (BEST PEOPLE EVER ISTG)
Friendly cats to pet on … read more
---Host---
Taiyo (太陽さん) is probably the most hard working person I have ever met. He gives all his heart and soul to the smooth running of his inn and I was very impressed by the quality of his service to the customers. I think he is a great example … read more
The island is beautiful and peaceful, a perfect place to relax and a joy to explore.
Taiyo is a great host and his family is just lovely. Akari-san and Mama-san cook amazing meals with Papa-san bringing fresh fish every day. … read more
Taiyo san is cool and a good boss, we get very very good food(Thank you Akari chan i love u <3) and a lot of cool things to experience everyday (such as fishing contest, BBQ party, karaoke , going to another world heritage island..etc way too much amazing experience ) .The people here are all super cute and … read more
I stayed here for almost two months during the summer and it was so amazing. Taiyo and his family were so welcoming and helpfull. I stayed in a big Japanese style house with the other workawayers. We all slept on futons on tatami floors, and we had the house to ourselves. Everyday we got amazing food, and … read more
Also Ojika Island is really beautiful, there are plenty of events and work to provide is not complicated mainly doing the … read more
The work consists of daily chores around the Inn … read more
Best of luck!
Really an incredible place, with so many kind and funny people, amazing landscapes, many places to visit and activities to experience!!!
I stayed in Ojika for 2 months but there are still so many places I'd like to visit around there! Not because I had no … read more
Taiyo is really chill and has a ton of cool stories about what he used to get up to. Akari is amazing and incredibly fun to be around. When you're in Ojika, they make you feel welcomed and … read more
Work-wise, the workload isn't very heavy (probably because it was in the … read more
About the work it was not easy everyday (specialy during July-August) but it was always fun and the accommodation totaly worth it.
If you like countryside and … read more
Thank you very much for your feed back.
We really appreciate your works you've done here. Everything is perfect and quick.
You are the wild, friendly and we were always happy with you. You have a lot of stills and hope your next trip will be very amazing time.
We are so lucky accepting you!
We hope we can meet again in near … read more
"Working" for Taiyo was my first experience with workaway and my best experience of the trip! I stayed for 3 weeks, which flew by. The food was the best I've ever had (Ill be requesting some recipes when I get home).
For those of you … read more
Personally, I've never attended a journey all by myself - let alone, ending up so far away from my home country, that is Germany. Plus, this has been my first workaway experience, so I didn't really know, what to expect, until I was picked up by … read more
Taiyo is very welcoming and accommodating, always willing to help. I could also say the same about his family, who made me feel at home. I did not get a chance to meet his wife and kids during my stay, which I am sad about.
Workload typically depends on how busy it is, plus some once-over … read more
His wife Akari it's been like a … read more
