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Current needs (people we can plug in right now)

• Café support : barista/runner/dishes/shopping/greetings customers/cooking. No Japanese required. Your shift directly funds the food bank.
• English conversation helper: sit in on small classes, run pair-talk, games, and pronunciation drills. No Japanese required but a great opportunity to improve!.
• Making food bank deliveries: Need a Japanese drivers license and hopefully at least a K-Van. At least some Japanese is helpful.
• Media & storytelling: shoot short clips/photos, edit simple reels, write one good post a day. No Japanese required.
• Fix-it/DIY: shelves, paint, minor repairs, tool organizing. No Japanese required.
• Graphics/Web/Programing: signs, checklists, safety sheets. Japanese required.
• Clerical: tidy spreadsheets, inventory labels, data input, . No Japanese required.

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What you’ll do

Choose a primary track and add secondary shifts to round out your week.

If you don’t speak Japanese:
Café (customer flow/dishes), English conversation helper, packing/sorting, media, DIY, data/ops.

If you speak conversational Japanese:
All of the above plus deliveries, community outreach, front-of-house, phone confirmations, supplier calls, and family check-ins.

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When do we need help?

We are open 7 days a week so there must be some time that fits your schedule.

• Food Bank Institutional delveries are Wednesday and Friday, family care boxes go out random.
• Cafe is open everyday but Thursday 11:00 to 3:00 / 5:00 to 9:00
• English classes everyday – kids from 2 to G6, JH, HS, Young Adults, Adults, even Grandmas and Grandpas
• All the rest, we are open every day from 9 to 9
• Web/Social Media/programming- you can probably help remotely.

Oh did we mention that volunteers get a burger or tacos when they volunteer 😀.

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What you gain

• Social enterprise skills: how cafés/schools fund services (you’ll see the loop).
• Cross-cultural chops: work with Japanese teammates and international volunteers.
• Portfolio pieces: media clips, before/after projects, lesson support.
• A proper letter of service summarizing your contributions (on request).

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How we do things-

• Independent by design: we don’t run on grants; profits are reinvested 100% into local programs.
• Self funded: we are here to invest into the community and add value, not beg.
• No politics: we are not here to talk about making a difference, we are here to make a difference.

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Who’s a great fit

• You like doing over debating.
• You’re helpful and flexible.
• You’re respectful, on time, and team-first.
• You dont have to speak Japanese to make a difference in Japan.
•  You have skills you want to put to good use.
• People that can work in Kyoto or drive in Osaka and Kobe.
• People that like Hamburgers and Tacos;)

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Practical bits

• Timeframe: short term or long term –
• Schedule: we’ll match your skills to peak needs.
• Housing: shared housing sometimes available; otherwise we’ll point you to nearby options.
• Safety & support: clear house rules, basic training day one, and a named mentor.
• The main activity is in Kyoto unless you have special skills and contribute remotely.

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Ready roll up your sleeves and make a difference?

Step 1: Fill in the short application and let us know when you have time for an interview.
Step 2: We’ll have an interview and plug you into something that actually helps.
Step 3: Show up ready to learn and work.

The Experience: Live and work in Fushimi, Kyoto’s historic sake-brewing district. You’ll stay in shared accommodation with other international participants, explore ancient temples and modern culture, and build friendships while making a real difference in people’s lives. Every day combines meaningful work with cultural discovery.

What You Gain: Gain practical experience in social enterprise operations, improve your Japanese language skills, and develop cross-cultural communication abilities. Perfect preparation for longer-term programs or anyone wanting to test their interest in international development work.