This was a fantastic workaway and one I would highly recommend.

20/09/2017 Left by Workawayer (Robin) for host

This was a fantastic workaway and one I would highly recommend. If you're looking for a memorable cultural exchange with the opportunity to live and work in a beautiful place; if you're looking for a more personal experience that includes being able to immerse yourself in the local community, you're looking at the right profile! I was on Ojika for just one month but I have left with so many amazing memories and with a strong desire to return back to this special place.

Taiyo was an excellent host who went out of his way - even during a busy August - to make us feel welcome. He also ensured we had a fantastic time by driving us to various different attractions and by organising a boat trip to another island for us. Akari-san, his wife, made us wonderful lunches and helped prepare - with the rest of the kitchen crew - feasts every evening. We had an endless supply of quality Sashimi (caught by Taiyo's dad) as well as 2 or 3 other dishes a night. It's certainly not a good place to come if you want to diet... Taiyo's mum, Hiroko-san, also went out of her way to keep us entertained and even drove us to go fishing at 4AM despite the fact that she had finished work after midnight. All of this combined with the fact that we were able to spend time with Taiyo's three children meant all the workawayers felt like extended members of their family!

I really feel as though I gained so much from this experience especially in regards to improving my Japanese and interacting with the local residents. My Japanese improved from spending most days working with the permanent Japanese staff at the inn. Shout out to Mirai, Miho-san, Ryota-san, Kyo and Kanon who not only put up with my broken Japanese but also helped improve it. They were all really kind and each one if them either drove us round the island or invited us to local events. Additionally, because I spent a lot of time in the Inn's adjoining Karaoke bar - run by Taiyo's mum - and even having the opportunity to work there, I was able to meet many locals and by the end of the month, truly felt part of the wider Ojika community. If you're looking for a good cultural exchange, look no further!

Ojika island is so beautiful with stunning beaches, amazing stretches of coastline - especially nice for sunrises/sunsets - and lovely shrines. The guesthouse is located in the main town and it takes around 30 minutes by bike (which we can borrow for free) to reach all the best spots. While you do have to work in the mornings and evenings most days, I did feel as though I was on holiday in an all inclusive island Inn on occasion. The work isn't challenging and usually involved doing dishes, cleaning the Inn and Guesthouse in the morning from 8 until 11:30/12. Afternoons were completely free and in the evenings we served the food, ate our own dinner and cleaned the dishes.

A major selling point of this workaway is that we had a volunteers house all to ourselves! This large two-storey old style Japanese house is for workawayers only and, even with a maximum of six people living there at one point over the summer, there was still plenty of space. If you come over a quieter period, you may even get the house to yourself! You sleep on Tatami and if you get the upstairs room, you could wake up to views of the harbour! It's just two minutes walk from the guesthouse, has WiFi and free laundry.

So if you want to eat like a king, live and work on a spectacular island among a friendly community and have a fantastic cultural exchange, shoot Taiyo-san a message!

Ojika was my first workaway experience and the first workaway I did on my 3-month trip to Japan.

22/12/2017　Left by Workawayer (luca) for host

Ojika was my first workaway experience and the first workaway I did on my 3-month trip to Japan.
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 cleaning the beds, preparing the rooms and washing linen basically, and in the evening by helping serve dinner to the guests, super light work and not excessive at all.
And regarding the fun part, it was endless. First of all, all the people I met there were amazing, since the workawayers Paulina, Fabi and Linda, until the staff Mirai, Miho, Sayaka, until the many friends we made there, including Taiyo and his family. Everyday Taiyo would have dinner with us and chat (his english is amazing, so no worries about communicating here) and in addition to the work, we participated in a variety of activities: his mom would take us around the island, we would go to karaoke every now and then, the beaches and sceneries of the island are breathtaking and everything is a stone's throw away walking or by bike, we were constantly invited to people's houses to have tea and meals and chat, and we even participated in a Festival!
All in all, it was a wonderful experience and I highly reccomend this workaway for anyone who wants to have some relaxed time in a beautiful island surrounded by beautiful landscapes and super friendly people!

For my first workaway ever, Ojika set the bar high! Thanks to Taiyo-san, his family, the community, and the other workaways, I felt right at home from the very start. The food was absolutely delicious (fresh sashimi for dinner every night), the people were so kind, and the location was perfect.

05/09/2017 Left by Workawayer (Monica) for host

For my first workaway ever, Ojika set the bar high! Thanks to Taiyo-san, his family, the community, and the other workaways, I felt right at home from the very start. The food was absolutely delicious (fresh sashimi for dinner every night), the people were so kind, and the location was perfect.

The work consists of daily chores around the Inn such as cleaning rooms, washing dishes, and serving food to guests. It's pretty straight forward and it was a lot of fun thanks to all the great people we got to work with. On a regular day, we usually got the afternoons from noon to 6 off, which was plenty of time to go out and explore the island. I was lucky enough to be there during a pretty active period in which there were several community events happening. In just two weeks, I participated in a rowing race, summer festival, tea ceremony on the beach, and a fishing contest. At night, we spent most of our time chilling at the Karaoke bar next door that Hiroko-san runs. It was a great opportunity to chop it up with some of the locals and make some friends.

If there was one thing I could change about this experience, it would be to have stayed longer. As soon as I left, I already wanted to go back! Whether you are new to workaway or a long time worker, I would recommend here to anyone.

This has been my first workaway experience and I'm sure it couldn't start in a better way.
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 time to explore around, but because all these interesting spots are so good that every time I found a new one, I wanted to spend more time there and go back again the day after...

The work is easy but not so light and keep you busy for various hours a day.
However working with all the staff team, make it very pleasant and interesting (especially in the evening when you can interact with many Japanese guests).
Taiyo is a perfect host! Other than well organized and flexible, he really cares about everybody, gives good advices to travel around Ojika and Japan and chatting with him is really interesting! (He has so many active projects and had done so many things in his life!)

Everyday food is really good and you can try the real traditional Japanese cuisine.
The accommodation is pretty comfortable and I felt home from the very first day.

I suggest this place especially to those who can speak a bit of Japanese, because there are many chances everyday to interact with interesting local people.


Thanks sooooo much to everybody!!!!
Especially Taiyo, Hakari and Hiroko (obviously Emachan too :3) who made me part of these incredible amazing days...
Also a special thanks to all Karaoke bar guests who helped me improve Japanese so much!

Really, only super good things in this little paradise!!! I will be back for sure!

 

Taiyo-san was an awesome host. This experience was everything I had hoped for-I was able to build relationships with people on the island, learn some Japanese, and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

14/10/2016 Left by Workawayer (Julie) for host

Taiyo-san was an awesome host. This experience was everything I had hoped for-I was able to build relationships with people on the island, learn some Japanese, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The workload depends on how many guests are staying at the inn, but it is not hard work, it just takes time when we are full. Cleaning, making beds, laundry, etc. The food is delicious, three meals a day included and beer with dinner. I loved heading over to the karaoke bar next door in the evenings to work on my Japanese and talk to the regulars. I never paid for a drink and probably drank too often as a result, but it was always a good time. Taiyo's family is welcoming and sweet, Akari-chan is an excellent cook and speaks great English, Mama-san is always ready to take us out for festivals or on Papa-sans boat or to a softball game, making this a real experience. I never felt like just a nameless volunteer passing through. If you want to explore the island it isn't not hard to find someone who is more than willing to join you. I was taken spear fishing and SUP paddle boarding and I got to play softball and dance in a festival and learn how to make some Japanese dishes. For me being integrated in the culture and community was important and I found it easy to do here on Ojika. I don't know how many times I was invited for lunch or dinner in someone's home, but each time was a wonderful occasion. I will for sure be back to visit in the future to see my new friends again. Thanks for an awesome month, everybody :)

I have stayed the past two months with Taiyo-san and is has been nothing but a wonderful time!

14/04/2016 Left by Workawayer (Vanessa) for host