Volunteer Voices｜Interview #01 ― Sofia

What is it really like to volunteer at Hostel Knot?

There are things you can’t fully understand from the job description or conditions alone — daily life in Shuzenji, the people you meet, how you spend your days off, and what you actually feel after experiencing volunteer life here.

In “Volunteer Voices,” we talk to people who have volunteered at Hostel Knot and hear about their experiences in their own words.

Meet Sofia

Nicknames：　Sofia, Sofi, Sofiko
Birthplace：　Barcelona, Spain
Languages：　Catalan, Spanish, English, and currently learning Japanese
Hobbies：　Drawing, Coffee, and motorbikes
Volunteer Period：　2026. late April ~ late May, August~October
Currently：　currently volunteering at Hostel Knot again

Sofia’s Favorite Places to Visit in Japan

Sofia's Five Months Living in Shuzenji

01｜How did you find Hostel Knot, and what made you decide to volunteer here?

A｜Mine is a funny story. I was looking for a place to stay while I was job hunting, so I opened the Booking.com map and randomly picked Hostel Knot. I booked a two-week stay. During those two weeks, I got to explore the town and get to know Ryohey, Jamie, and Haru.
Toward the end of my stay, they asked me if I wanted to volunteer at Hostel Knot. Obviously, my answer was yes! I said yes because, during my two weeks as a guest, I got to see what their day-to-day life was like. They made me feel so welcome, and I quickly felt that Hostel Knot was a place where I would want to stay a little longer.

02｜What were you expecting before coming to Shuzenji?

A｜Well… since I chose it at random, I didn’t really have any expectations. I just knew that every place I had visited in Japan had been beautiful, so I wasn’t worried. Shuzenji was no exception. Even though it’s a small town, I never got bored of walking through its beautiful streets.

03｜What was daily life like for you in Shuzenji?

A｜Since I stayed in Shuzenji for five months, I developed a very “normal” daily routine. I usually woke up around 7:30 a.m. and had my coffee on the porch — my favorite part of the morning. At 10 a.m., I started work and usually finished around noon. After work, it was lunchtime. I either cooked at home or went to one of my regular spots around Shuzenji. After lunch, I either took a nap (guilty!) or went back to the hostel to study Japanese in the common area. Ryohey and Jamie were often there, so whenever I had a question, they were always happy to help. At 5 p.m., it was onsen time — my favorite part of the evening. After that, I often went to one of my other favorite restaurants for dinner. Then it was back home… or sometimes karaoke!

04｜What was your favorite part of working at Hostel Knot?

A｜I would probably say my colleagues and the guests. I honestly can’t remember a day when I didn’t want to go to work. The work itself is relatively easy and doesn’t take long, so spending those 2–3 hours in the morning working, chatting with the team, and meeting travelers became a really nice part of my daily routine. It also gave me a reason to wake up “early,” and by the end of my shift, I always felt productive and energized.

05｜What is your most memorable moment from living in Izu?

A｜When I started to feel at home. I gradually got to know the locals, their way of doing things, their culture, and their sense of humor. It was amazing. I started remembering everyone’s names, and they knew mine too. It was beautiful to see how everyone looked out for each other — including me! I felt accepted and cared for.
It’s also important to remember that building genuine connections here takes time. So don’t worry if you don’t experience this in your first few days. Just keep showing up and talking to people!

06｜What was the most difficult or challenging part of your time here?

A｜The most challenging part was definitely the language. I’m studying Japanese, but I think I underestimated how difficult it would be. I love the language, and I feel so happy when I can say something in Japanese and people actually understand me. But obviously, I still can’t communicate quite the way I’d like to — yet!
That said, people here are very understanding and always do their best to encourage me. If I don’t understand something, they even try their best to communicate with me in English.

07｜Did living in Shuzenji change the way you see travel or life in Japan?

A｜I think it changed the way I see life in general, not just life in Japan. Living here made me realize that what I really want in life is a simple, peaceful life. I always thought I was a city person, but living in Shuzenji changed that. I used to want to become “someone” in life, but being here made me realize that I’m okay with being “no one” — if that makes sense! Shuzenji gave me a sense of peace that I’ve never found anywhere else.

08｜What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering at Hostel Knot?

A｜If you’re independent, hard-working, and enjoy getting to know local people and their culture, I’d say, “Go for it!”
Shuzenji is a small town, so this experience is best suited to someone who enjoys taking things slow and doesn’t need to be busy all the time. It’s also located in the middle of the Izu Peninsula, so there are plenty of places to explore on day trips. One thing I’d recommend, especially at the beginning, is going out on your own for lunch, dinner, or to an izakaya. It’s one of the best ways to meet locals and make new friends.

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A Place That Becomes Home

Hostel Knot was a place Sofia happened to choose on the map.

What started as a two-week stay eventually became five months of living in Izu.

As she met local people, slowly learned their names, shared conversations, and spent time together, Shuzenji — once a town she knew nothing about — gradually became a place she could call home.

Sometimes, a place you discover along the way becomes somewhere you find yourself wanting to return to.

Sofia’s five months in Izu are one story of how a place can become home.

Why not become part of Hostel Knot?

Live in Shuzenji, meet local people, and connect with travelers from around the world.
Experience a side of Izu that you can only discover by living here and becoming part of the Hostel Knot community.

Interested in volunteering with us?Click Here