Volunteer Experience in Japan: Miyu ― 3 Weeks Living in Shuzenji

Birthplace：Shizuoka, Japan
Languages：Japanese
Hobbies：Kickboxing
Period：2019.August

I first became interested in guesthouses after staying at Hostel Knot as part of a university class. Before that, I had never stayed at a guesthouse and didn’t really know much about what they were like. Through the class, I became interested in the guesthouse experience and thought, “I’d love to try being a volunteer!”

What made me choose Hostel Knot was how comfortable I felt during my first stay and how friendly the staff were.

I really enjoyed every day I spent as a helper. I got to meet different guests every day, hear stories about their travels and their home countries, and sometimes even try food they cooked from their own countries. I had so many experiences that I wouldn’t normally have in my everyday student life, which made every day exciting and inspiring.

One of the experiences that stayed with me the most was going to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant with a guest from the UK.

I was originally planning to go with Kim, one of the staff members. On our way to the restaurant, we spotted a guest walking back to Knot in the rain after missing the last bus. We gave them a ride, and they ended up joining us for conveyor-belt sushi!

That moment made me realize the warmth you can experience at a guesthouse, where people naturally look out for each other beyond the usual staff-and-guest relationship. It also reminded me once again how kind and caring the Hostel Knot staff are.

On the other hand, I sometimes found it difficult to communicate with guests from overseas because I wasn’t confident in my language skills. I was able to communicate with the help of a guest who could speak both Japanese and English, but the experience made me realize that I still have a lot to learn. It also motivated me to study English more.

I think Shuzenji has a warm and welcoming atmosphere that you can only find in a small town. Whenever I visited local shops, the owners and regular customers would often strike up a conversation with me, and I could really feel the strong sense of community. Shuzenji is also surrounded by nature, while still retaining its traditional streets and scenery. The bamboo grove is especially beautiful when it’s lit up at night, and

What stood out to me most about Hostel Knot was the kindness of the staff. At 19, I was still inexperienced and had a lot to learn, so I found everyone’s unique experiences and backgrounds really inspiring.

Even though my time with each guest was often short, every encounter became a special memory — sharing meals, playing games, and listening to their travel stories.

I got to meet so many people I would never have met in my everyday student life, and it made me realize that Hostel Knot really is a “knot of connections.”

I’d love to be a volunteer again if I ever get the chance!
Thank you very much!