Would you like to live on a World Heritage island and be part of a friendly guesthouse team? Since 2013, Mikuniya has welcomed helpers from all over the world. In exchange for a few hours of help each day, you’ll receive free accommodation and meals – and plenty of free time to explore the island, meet travellers and experience everyday life in Japan.
What you’ll help with
- Housekeeping and cleaning
- Welcoming and looking after guests
- Preparing breakfast and dinner
- Other tasks around the guesthouse
Hours and minimum stay
- Around 26 hours per week (flexible)
- Minimum stay: 4 weeks
What you’ll get
- A bed in our staff dormitory (shared room with air conditioning and Wi-Fi)
- Breakfast and dinner, including our famous Mikuniya curry
- Free use of the washing machine and dryer
- Island life just a five-minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine
Who we’re looking for
- Holders of a working holiday visa for Japan
- Bright, friendly and courteous with guests
- Responsible and thorough with cleaning tasks
- A team player with an interest in guesthouse life and cross-cultural exchange
What past helpers say
Volunteers rate their time at Mikuniya 5.0 out of 5 across 36 reviews on Worldpackers. Here is a little of what they said:
“We had an absolutely incredible month at the hostel and couldn’t recommend it enough. We found a real sense of family with Junya and the other volunteers.”
Alexandria, Australia
“This was my 3rd volunteering experience in Japan and the best one. The host and other volunteers were very welcoming.”
Gabija, Lithuania
“The work was pretty easy and straightforward, which meant you had good time to explore the island and nearby cities. I would definitely come again.”
Katrine, Denmark
“Junya-san is very friendly and easy to connect with. Overall, a fun and stress-free experience I’d gladly recommend.”
Maja, Germany
How to apply
Please email us at miyajima.gh.mikuniya@gmail.com with the following details, and we’ll get back to you soon:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Age
- Nationality
- Gender
- Preferred period of stay
- Why you would like to join us
- A short self-introduction
You can also apply through Worldpackers:
We look forward to hearing from you!
Junya & Miku